For over 30 years, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has employed Nurse Practitioners to deliver high quality care to their tribal members.  Nurse Practitioners play a vital role within the health care system and are well respected providers. 

State practice and licensure laws permit all NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances.  Indian Health Services utilizes NP's in all of their clinics and hospitals throughout the country. 

Recently, the chief physician along with the regional director over the health department has decided that "Nurse Practitioners should be hired, when a Physicians Assistant can not be located...at that point...you get what you can get." See the chief physicians quote above. 

Bias and discrimination against the NP profession is unacceptable.  NP's are valuable members of the dynamic health care team and should be respected as such.

I urge the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to stop discriminating against NP's and allow them to apply to open PA positions within the tribe.  To exclude NP's and only allow PA's to apply is the wrong decision.  The tribe's health department is located in Atmore, AL and provides primary care services.  In a primary care setting both NP's and PA's should be allowed to apply and the best candidate chosen.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only tribe that shows such bias and discrimination against the NP profession. 

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians needs to clarify their official position regarding Nurse Practitioners and stop the discrimination.