STOP USING THE DANGEROUS TERM “MID-LEVEL” TO ADDRESS NURSE PRACTITIONERS
#thinkpiece by Dr. Taaka Cash, DNP
Most of us know that it’s offensive to make racial slurs or sexist comments, but how many of us know that there are other systemic, group and organizational slurs and comments that are deemed offensive? Think before you speak. It irks me when I hear another provider call a Nurse Practitioner a “mid-level provider.” It’s a derogatory term aimed at demeaning another health care professional and has dangerous implications. It’s equivalent to bullying that leads to suicide.
Middle of no where
Middle of somewhere
Middle of the road care
Midway there?
Mid-section no direction?
Midstream not a thing?
Midbrain, stay in your own lane?
Midspace, not equate?
Midcap, left or right, up or down, get a map?
There is no middle of the level care. If a Nurse Practitioner has finished all academic requirements, passed board certifications, they are a board certified Nurse Practitioner in their respective field operating at the fullest level of their academic achievement. There were no midlevel tests, there are no midlevel boards and we were not taught to give midlevel care. Which school teaches all professionals to give the best care not based on level? ALL OF THEM!
Either way, the word midlevel is meant to belittle the value of importance of someone or something and in the Nurse Practitioner profession it’s targeted at insinuating that somehow Nurse Practitioners give subpar care. It’s meant to disparage someone. This is a dangerous ideology that must be stopped. It is psychological and verbal abuse at best. To all of our abusers, Stop calling Nurse Practitioners Mid-Level!!!! It is not an approved word nor is it supported by many health care organizations. But what it is, traumatic, an emotionally abusive remark. You are a bully in a white coat!
As Nurse Practitioners, we are apart of the interdisciplinary team and provide a different level of service to the populations we serve. We are not in the middle of anywhere but apart of the same healthcare team that does not give “midlevel” care but high quality care regardless of race, culture, origin, age or creed.
So, the next time you think of calling another provider such a dangerous, derogatory term be reminded that you are not only participating in systemic bullying but you are being categorized as a bully and potentially leading another professional down a road to a therapist office, life of anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, feeling bullied or worse suicide. Don’t participate in the hate.
Happy Nurses Week
#mentalhealthawarenessmonth