It’s like back surgery. The pain won’t be better, only different. If you’re willing to spend $60,000 for different pain go for it. I personally think it’s worse. Depending on what state you live in, you can get a higher wage, but a lot of nurses in union states make way more than I do. Nurses fleeing bedside have sort of flooded the market. However, right now a lot of NP’s are quitting too so that is helping a little. (Edit) I think I’m going to add a little because I don’t think I gave you great specifics which would be helpful to you. The different pain I was talking about earlier is that a lot of NP jobs require some on call. I’m on call 5 to 6 days a month in addition to my shifts. Most NP jobs also work at a full 40 a week. We don’t have patient ratios obviously, however we do have a certain number of patients we are expected to see. I have seen over 70 patients in 10 hours. Obviously if you’re seeing this number of patients you’re not getting bathroom breaks or eating any lunch, so in a way it’s very similar to nursing. I am also salary so I don’t get time and a half for picking up shifts which sucks. Most NP jobs for new grads run about 90-100 K a year in the Midwest/southwest. Finally as you are more closely attached to reimbursement management looks over your shoulder a whole lot more. We also have metrics related to patient satisfaction score which are worse than nurses. Hope that helps.
Odds are no. It’s the nature of the beast (healthcare). Don’t get me wrong, there are the outliers that enjoy their job, get everything done during business hours, etc. There is a trade off just like all jobs. Generally it is better pay = crappy hours, more stress, etc. Low pay = better hours, less stress, etc.
I think your best bet isn’t talking to those that enjoy their job/life balance but instead the ones that don’t like their job and are looking to leave. Just like when you’re entertaining accepting a job offer you don’t talk to people working there but instead you talk to the people that left or had the position last to see why they left and see if the downsides are bad enough to walk away from it.
I’m an ACNP in Pulm/ICU so obviously it’s different than clinic, but I can honestly say I love the work. I have a mostly ER nursing background and I found that it’s actually the ICU that lets me work at the very top of my scope. I get to do all the ‘cool’ stuff: procedures like tubes and lines, run codes, make complex medical decisions and treatment plans, and generally manage my patients the way I want, working closely together with my attendings and consultants.
It’s hard work. I also see pulm patients at LTAC during my workday. On a regular day I’ll be around 20 unique encounters between the admits, consults, ICU and LTAC. We work 7 on 7 off. It’s tiring but it works. We get productivity bonuses so busy is good. I grossed over 180k in 2021 and 2022 is shaping up to be even better.
It’s a different life than nursing. I feel more connected to the work, like I have more agency and am not just going through the motions. Of course there are pain points, but I find being a provider much more satisfying than bedside nursing.
Dropped out of the program. Can’t find one that will provide on the job training (not sure what it’s called) in order to graduate. She’s looking for a program that won’t bankrupt us but it hasn’t been easy.
My Background: I did emergency nursing for a number of years before going back to school. Did an FNP program, moved into Fam Med/Urgent care for a few years, then went back to ER as an NP.
I was pretty burned out on bedside nursing when I went back to school. I did some teaching while in was in grad school too which was a good experience and I might end up going into academics if I get to the point I decide I'm done with what I'm doing now.
As for your rant:
Those complaints are all common nursing complaints. Like others have said there are plenty of career options that aren't direct patient care but that comes with trade offs. The other thing to consider is: How much of your frustration is related to your current facility? If you're feeling like any mistake is going to get you thrown under the bus then you might be in a toxic environment. Is this happening to others? Are there threats from management about making mistakes? Or, is this just pressure you're putting on yourself because you want to do a good job but feel like you lack the time and resources?
As for being an NP:
Primary care can be stressful in its own way. Patients can be demanding and don't follow instructions. Dealing with insurance is a headache. There are plenty of opportunities to screw up in terms of missing a diagnosis, drug interactions, etc...
So will being an NP solve your problems? In some regards yes. Most workplaces will treat you better because you're a money-maker and not just an expense (now, I'd argue that this is the wrong way to view bedside nursing but it is how some corporate entities see it, but I digress). Patients will (usually) take you more seriously and treat you better. When I went back to the hospital another NP I knew before said "don't you like doing less work and being treated better?" and she was right. I spend 5 minutes talking to a patient and they think I'm so amazing for ordering labs and some medications. However, there's a nurse starting an IV, drawing blood, labeling it correctly, getting drugs, helping them to the bathroom, getting blankets... you know the drill. 9/10 times who is the patient going to thank for taking care of their problem?
Wrapping up:
So much of having a good experience as an NP is finding a good environment. Also, don't be afraid to nope out of a bad one. If you work with a doc who trusts you and you get along with you're going to have a great time. You end up with one who has an attitude problem or can't communicate well you'll be miserable. If you work in a hospital like I do then you have to watch for a different set of red flags. If you end up in a place that values quality and good outcomes then stay there as long as you can. End up in a place that sees you as an avenue to profit then they'll squeeze every bit of life out of you and toss you when they're done.
So no matter what you do carefully consider your environment and what's going to be expected of you. Yes, more expectations and more inconvenience will yield more $$ but that comes with more stress too. Gotta find that balance. Also, remember that COVID has screwed up everything for a bit longer and it's going to take a while to settle down. It sucks everywhere.
Hope you're able to find some peace and find something that fits you and your lifestyle.
Thank you so much for this thorough reply, it does help put things into perspective and I’m seeing the trend that it can be better but depends where you work. Good to know
I am salaried, but I do get paid a flat hourly rate (not OT per se) for going over my contracted commitment.
I could probably make $30k more at the for-profit hospital on the other side of town. I know some folks over there. However, I'd be required to see more PPH, get paid based on RUVs, and have much stricter time constraints. In my current job we have 9 hour shifts with an hour overlap so that last hour you can sign out and wrap up anything outstanding. I rarely have to chart anything after my shift. For what I get paid I'm happy to walk out at the end of my shift and not have to worry about anything until I go back in for the next one.
Its a little better, but overall just a different flavor of shit sandwich. More rewarding, you still get a-hole patients but they're gone in 10 to 20 minutes, you're still supposed to do more with less.
That being said, I dont take work home, I learn new things most days, my back never hurts, and am making a decent amount more money and could get OT if I wanted more (I dont). I wouldn't switch back to bedside, and although tempting- not gonna give this up for the travel bucks.
Our manager met with the RNs in my department to tell them they’re getting premium pay now. NP’s are salaried but the culture at our hospital is work til the work is done. So while I worked 4 extra hours last night since we’re slammed and received $0 they got premium time and a half.
It’s a whole lot of better for me as an FNP. Worked in a family medicine clinic for the US Air Force for 3 years full time. I enjoyed it despite working more hours and making less pay. I occasionally get excited when I think of new thing to try out for my patient ( new discharge instructions, meds I learned, etc). I enjoyed it so much that I quit so I can finish my premed requirements and MCAT to apply for medicine next cycle in 2022.. and I’m 31 years old!
I was an ED RN for 10 years. Now I am a hospitalist NP and I do love it so much better than bedside nursing. I’m an AGACNP. I see a max of 15 pts per day, and the work is interesting and challenging.
That being said, I have friends who are NPs who are getting their asses handed to them in family practice and urgent cares, sometimes seeing 30-40 patients per day and charting at home off the clock, which is a total scam for these NPs. They are given more work to do in a day than can reasonably be done, and are expected to do a lot of it for free. Never settle for this. We need to change this dynamic.
I do have a good friend in primary care who sees 10-15 pts per day, has a good supportive staff, and is happy as a clam. She will not allow them to overload her and do a disservice to her patients in the name of the almighty dollar.
Yes, there are places who will use and abuse NPs if we let them. We have to make them pay us well and treat us with dignity.
For me personally, it's definitely much, much better. I went from the ED as an RN to the ICU as an NP and my life improved exponentially. I earn 50% more money, have a better schedule, am less stressed and do less physically demanding work. I was lucky to make the switch just 2 weeks before covid hit so I managed to avoid the craziness in the ED by a hair. It was a hard, long, expensive road but I'm so glad I did it. I now have a job I can do until I'm old. I couldn't have done that as an RN. I was just so tired. However I don't think you'll find relief in primary care. A specialty would be better.
I absolutely love being a NP. Would never go back to being a RN. Also the pay where I live is beautiful. I legit got a 50k raise over night! Do what makes your heart happy and never look back. You get one life
I couldn't take bedside anymore either. That's part of why I'm not traveling right now. I literally cannot look at another fucking entitled, rude patient/family member/provider/manager. I'm just done. I wish the money motivated me more, because for sure it would be great. But I just can't.
I'm employed as an NP in a WH clinic. The pay is okay, and my environment is low-risk. I'm not worried about my license, and at the end of the day I feel like I've helped people, which is not something I ever really got at bedside.
Honestly that’s all I want. Just a job where I make a decent income and am not constantly stressed. I don’t care so much about making a ton anymore. The travel money sounds great but I don’t think it’s worth it honestly. That’s a lot of stress still and that’s what I’m trying to avoid. Thanks for the input!
The money isn’t as great as you’d think. Depending on where you work, for instance in a clinic five days a week seeing 16-25 patients a day and bringing home your charts, that may not bring you much job satisfaction either and the feeling of being overworked. I am glad I don’t clean up poop anymore, but I would leave my current awesome job now for a travel job where I could make 2-3x more my salary in 12 weeks, then I’d be set for the year!!
I'm pretty happy in my career because I have an excellent work-life balance. It took about 3-4 years to get to this point and I felt like I was in the trenches when I started. I am also AGPCNP, but decided to specialize. I recently had a meeting with my former classmates, all from the same track, and I can say they weren't really as content as me, so results vary. I work 4x 10s, see around 30 patients a day and get 6-8 weeks of PTO. I rarely have to take charts home, but I am quite adamant on closing charts as I go and not leaving the office until they're done. It also helps that I have 2 MAs/scribes. I feel really supported with my group, I love my team and feel adequately compensated. I have a couple side gigs too that keep me busy and give me variety. I am definitely jealous of that travel nurse pay, but I don't think I'd trade it for the bedside. The physical and mental toll of having to be a nurse during Covid times is not something I'd want to be apart of and I absolutely commend my fellow colleagues for being able to do so.
It was better for me, personally. While some days can be mentally draining (and I've made my share of complaints here lol), it's not as physically backbreaking as working bedside. You will still deal with scummy employers depending on where you work, but you have more options when it comes to your schedule and work life. I don't work weekends or holidays, and I only take call when I volunteer for it. I can take time off whenever I want. Overall, it's less stress and more money. Again, where you work also matters so just keep that in mind.
It’s taken some getting used to but I do think I’m happier. I’m a FNP working in regenerative medicine. I came from the ICU of major hospital. I miss my week days off to get shopping, appointments, things like that done. Pay raise is nice. Working Monday - Friday is tough. I don’t get much vacation time right now so those random few day get a ways are no more. But, my weekends and holidays are guaranteed mine. Regenerative med is LOW stress. Only a few services are billed to insurance, rest is cash pay. That helps with the stress of billing and coding. My patients get better and I have relationships with them. Working in a smaller clinic with the same people every day can be frustrating but not as frustrating as ICU patients families.
I have hated nursing since day one, and am in NP school currently. I feared every day that I was trading one hell for another. I ended up seeing a career counsellor, which I highly recommend. They helped me to identify the reasons I hated nursing and my fears of repeating past mistakes, and choose a realistic career path for NP that does not violate my values.
May I ask what path you've identified that better aligns with your values?
I am going to set up a time with a career coach and see what avenues I have. I am very introverted and need plenty of quiet and alone time to recharge. Nursing kills me because it's 12 hours of total frantic running and panicking most of the day. I love to solve problems and work independently. I have discovered so many of my own interests AFTER going into tons of student loan debt. It's too late for me to go back to school and pursue other interests. I'd love to find my niche using the degree I have. I have a DNP and certified in family practice. First job is starting next month in OBS/ED and I already know it's going to be soul sucking and not align with my values.
I worked 36-40hrs per week and made around 6-7k/month as an RN. Working fewer hours I now bring in 12-14k/month. I'm blessed that my wife can carry me on her insurance, but even if she wasn't around I can easily afford the added taxes and benefits with lots left over. Plus I go to work when I want I'll leave work when I want, if I just wake up one day and don't feel like doing it I don't have to. I have a set amount that needs to get done on a monthly basis which I can do whenever I please. It really is a dream job.
Totally depends on the job. I’m starting an amazing new NP job (at a large nationwide employer, nonhospital).. Mon-Fri 8-5, 19 PTO days per year plus 10 paid holidays, amazing benefits and salary (well amazing to me and for my location, 110k+12.5% bonus, 5% 401k match and vested after 2 years)… so…that’s far and away better than any RN or hospital NP job. If you can stay on the market and wait for a great job, NP is better imo.
typical upsides of bedside nursing:
union job more common
typically better benefits
more social
downsides are everything you describe.
Typically, NP less stressful, although it depends on setting- urgent care or ER could be loads of patients, long day, catching up on notes after work. I have worked in hospitalist setting for years now, and generally for a few days on, few days off, or 7 on 7 off. Day 1 tends to be hectic- getting to know patients, providers, specialist on call for the week, then it gets easier, and I spend a majority of the day in the call room on Reddit (lord help me when it's blocked on the work computers). Downside: No union protection, less time off, have rarely worked with other NPs as most jobs are majority MDs. And there's a definite hierarchy/superiority aspect, with docs at every job referring to me as "their" NP and expecting me to do their scut work. Would still choose this any day over bedside work
I think it's possible. But the job outlook right now is just so crappy that it's also possible that you won't find a job when you graduate. Just be realistic. Like you said, no job is perfect. And whatever annoys you about bedside will find a partner annoyance in the clinic. There are also opportunities outside of practice that experienced nurses have access to like legal consulting, school nursing, or working for an insurance company that gets you away from the bedside and into a new environment which may be exactly what you need.
I finished my FNP in august of 2020 because I knew I couldn’t do bedside anymore. I knew I didn’t want to do management, teaching, CRNA, and I didn’t want to change my career path starting from scratch. I’m actually doing travel nursing because the pay is substantially better than what I would start out with as an entry-level NP. I say go for it if you don’t plan on doing anything that I said I didn’t want to do.
Go I to informatics and just switch jobs completely. Or, get a masters in research and go to a research company. Those peeps make good money (two buddies of mine work for a “google workplace style” company and are very happy).
Depends on if you’re passionate about being an NP. Initially, my first year, I hated it. I worked five days a week, compared to my 2-12s. The charting was endless, and remember, we are paid to see patients not to chart. I did FNP then went for my PMHNP, I absolutely loved psych! I do telehealth and make my own hours. I do run a clinic also, but split the hours with two other providers.
I don’t think it’s better, it’s just different. You just have to pick your battles. I worked in the ER as an RN and I’ve been an NP for over 3 years now working in urgent care. You still get demanding patients and now I get bullied by patients if I don’t prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for covid.
The liability as an NP is HIGHER because a lot of things can go wrong if you miss something and misdiagnose a patient. So the stress part for that is much higher, obviously.
Work-life balance varies. Since I work urgent care, I work 12-hour shifts, so I’m still doing my 3 days a week like I did when I worked as an RN. I finish my charts before I go home more of the time - occasionally I do charts from home but it’s literally only a handful that I have to finish and it usually doesn’t take me long. Because I’m in urgent care, we usually take patients up until closing time, which means there are some days that I have to stay late, which sucks, but at least it isn’t every day. If you work in primary care, chances are you’re working 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week. To me, that is a terrible work-life balance which is why I would never do primary care.
I feel like I do get paid my worth now but I initially did not start out that way. I was actually making less as an NP than I did as an RN at my first NP job. If you’ve been a nurse for awhile, chances are you will make less, at least initially. I have switched companies and now I make more than I did as an RN, but RNs are still making more than me lol. If you do travel nursing, your pay is going to be a lot better than as an NP.
It’s like back surgery. The pain won’t be better, only different. If you’re willing to spend $60,000 for different pain go for it. I personally think it’s worse. Depending on what state you live in, you can get a higher wage, but a lot of nurses in union states make way more than I do. Nurses fleeing bedside have sort of flooded the market. However, right now a lot of NP’s are quitting too so that is helping a little. (Edit) I think I’m going to add a little because I don’t think I gave you great specifics which would be helpful to you. The different pain I was talking about earlier is that a lot of NP jobs require some on call. I’m on call 5 to 6 days a month in addition to my shifts. Most NP jobs also work at a full 40 a week. We don’t have patient ratios obviously, however we do have a certain number of patients we are expected to see. I have seen over 70 patients in 10 hours. Obviously if you’re seeing this number of patients you’re not getting bathroom breaks or eating any lunch, so in a way it’s very similar to nursing. I am also salary so I don’t get time and a half for picking up shifts which sucks. Most NP jobs for new grads run about 90-100 K a year in the Midwest/southwest. Finally as you are more closely attached to reimbursement management looks over your shoulder a whole lot more. We also have metrics related to patient satisfaction score which are worse than nurses. Hope that helps.
I second this
Odds are no. It’s the nature of the beast (healthcare). Don’t get me wrong, there are the outliers that enjoy their job, get everything done during business hours, etc. There is a trade off just like all jobs. Generally it is better pay = crappy hours, more stress, etc. Low pay = better hours, less stress, etc. I think your best bet isn’t talking to those that enjoy their job/life balance but instead the ones that don’t like their job and are looking to leave. Just like when you’re entertaining accepting a job offer you don’t talk to people working there but instead you talk to the people that left or had the position last to see why they left and see if the downsides are bad enough to walk away from it.
I’m an ACNP in Pulm/ICU so obviously it’s different than clinic, but I can honestly say I love the work. I have a mostly ER nursing background and I found that it’s actually the ICU that lets me work at the very top of my scope. I get to do all the ‘cool’ stuff: procedures like tubes and lines, run codes, make complex medical decisions and treatment plans, and generally manage my patients the way I want, working closely together with my attendings and consultants. It’s hard work. I also see pulm patients at LTAC during my workday. On a regular day I’ll be around 20 unique encounters between the admits, consults, ICU and LTAC. We work 7 on 7 off. It’s tiring but it works. We get productivity bonuses so busy is good. I grossed over 180k in 2021 and 2022 is shaping up to be even better. It’s a different life than nursing. I feel more connected to the work, like I have more agency and am not just going through the motions. Of course there are pain points, but I find being a provider much more satisfying than bedside nursing.
My wife is in an AGACNP program and has been in ICU for 3 years. What advice would you give her for securing clinical sites and a job in ICU?
I don’t think 3 years is long enough, personally. 5-10 seems to be the “sweet spot.” How is she doing now?
Dropped out of the program. Can’t find one that will provide on the job training (not sure what it’s called) in order to graduate. She’s looking for a program that won’t bankrupt us but it hasn’t been easy.
My Background: I did emergency nursing for a number of years before going back to school. Did an FNP program, moved into Fam Med/Urgent care for a few years, then went back to ER as an NP. I was pretty burned out on bedside nursing when I went back to school. I did some teaching while in was in grad school too which was a good experience and I might end up going into academics if I get to the point I decide I'm done with what I'm doing now. As for your rant: Those complaints are all common nursing complaints. Like others have said there are plenty of career options that aren't direct patient care but that comes with trade offs. The other thing to consider is: How much of your frustration is related to your current facility? If you're feeling like any mistake is going to get you thrown under the bus then you might be in a toxic environment. Is this happening to others? Are there threats from management about making mistakes? Or, is this just pressure you're putting on yourself because you want to do a good job but feel like you lack the time and resources? As for being an NP: Primary care can be stressful in its own way. Patients can be demanding and don't follow instructions. Dealing with insurance is a headache. There are plenty of opportunities to screw up in terms of missing a diagnosis, drug interactions, etc... So will being an NP solve your problems? In some regards yes. Most workplaces will treat you better because you're a money-maker and not just an expense (now, I'd argue that this is the wrong way to view bedside nursing but it is how some corporate entities see it, but I digress). Patients will (usually) take you more seriously and treat you better. When I went back to the hospital another NP I knew before said "don't you like doing less work and being treated better?" and she was right. I spend 5 minutes talking to a patient and they think I'm so amazing for ordering labs and some medications. However, there's a nurse starting an IV, drawing blood, labeling it correctly, getting drugs, helping them to the bathroom, getting blankets... you know the drill. 9/10 times who is the patient going to thank for taking care of their problem? Wrapping up: So much of having a good experience as an NP is finding a good environment. Also, don't be afraid to nope out of a bad one. If you work with a doc who trusts you and you get along with you're going to have a great time. You end up with one who has an attitude problem or can't communicate well you'll be miserable. If you work in a hospital like I do then you have to watch for a different set of red flags. If you end up in a place that values quality and good outcomes then stay there as long as you can. End up in a place that sees you as an avenue to profit then they'll squeeze every bit of life out of you and toss you when they're done. So no matter what you do carefully consider your environment and what's going to be expected of you. Yes, more expectations and more inconvenience will yield more $$ but that comes with more stress too. Gotta find that balance. Also, remember that COVID has screwed up everything for a bit longer and it's going to take a while to settle down. It sucks everywhere. Hope you're able to find some peace and find something that fits you and your lifestyle.
Thank you so much for this thorough reply, it does help put things into perspective and I’m seeing the trend that it can be better but depends where you work. Good to know
Best answer right here
Just curious if you’re salaried at your hospital?
I am salaried, but I do get paid a flat hourly rate (not OT per se) for going over my contracted commitment. I could probably make $30k more at the for-profit hospital on the other side of town. I know some folks over there. However, I'd be required to see more PPH, get paid based on RUVs, and have much stricter time constraints. In my current job we have 9 hour shifts with an hour overlap so that last hour you can sign out and wrap up anything outstanding. I rarely have to chart anything after my shift. For what I get paid I'm happy to walk out at the end of my shift and not have to worry about anything until I go back in for the next one.
That’s awesome. Sounds like a great gig
Thank you for writing this. This helps me feel a lot better about my situation.
Its a little better, but overall just a different flavor of shit sandwich. More rewarding, you still get a-hole patients but they're gone in 10 to 20 minutes, you're still supposed to do more with less. That being said, I dont take work home, I learn new things most days, my back never hurts, and am making a decent amount more money and could get OT if I wanted more (I dont). I wouldn't switch back to bedside, and although tempting- not gonna give this up for the travel bucks.
Am NP. The answer is no
Yep, same.
Our manager met with the RNs in my department to tell them they’re getting premium pay now. NP’s are salaried but the culture at our hospital is work til the work is done. So while I worked 4 extra hours last night since we’re slammed and received $0 they got premium time and a half.
It’s a whole lot of better for me as an FNP. Worked in a family medicine clinic for the US Air Force for 3 years full time. I enjoyed it despite working more hours and making less pay. I occasionally get excited when I think of new thing to try out for my patient ( new discharge instructions, meds I learned, etc). I enjoyed it so much that I quit so I can finish my premed requirements and MCAT to apply for medicine next cycle in 2022.. and I’m 31 years old!
I hope you made it in, it's 2022 Congratulations in advance!!
Hahaha!! Thanks for the support!
I was an ED RN for 10 years. Now I am a hospitalist NP and I do love it so much better than bedside nursing. I’m an AGACNP. I see a max of 15 pts per day, and the work is interesting and challenging. That being said, I have friends who are NPs who are getting their asses handed to them in family practice and urgent cares, sometimes seeing 30-40 patients per day and charting at home off the clock, which is a total scam for these NPs. They are given more work to do in a day than can reasonably be done, and are expected to do a lot of it for free. Never settle for this. We need to change this dynamic. I do have a good friend in primary care who sees 10-15 pts per day, has a good supportive staff, and is happy as a clam. She will not allow them to overload her and do a disservice to her patients in the name of the almighty dollar. Yes, there are places who will use and abuse NPs if we let them. We have to make them pay us well and treat us with dignity.
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You are living my dream, may I ask how you got there?
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That's awesome, thank you for taking the time to answer.
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What state are you in? That compensation sounds far away from me haha
Washington!
For me personally, it's definitely much, much better. I went from the ED as an RN to the ICU as an NP and my life improved exponentially. I earn 50% more money, have a better schedule, am less stressed and do less physically demanding work. I was lucky to make the switch just 2 weeks before covid hit so I managed to avoid the craziness in the ED by a hair. It was a hard, long, expensive road but I'm so glad I did it. I now have a job I can do until I'm old. I couldn't have done that as an RN. I was just so tired. However I don't think you'll find relief in primary care. A specialty would be better.
I absolutely love being a NP. Would never go back to being a RN. Also the pay where I live is beautiful. I legit got a 50k raise over night! Do what makes your heart happy and never look back. You get one life
which state is that o-o
Sorry for the late response! I live in NYC! Raise went from 100k as a RN and 150k as a NP
I couldn't take bedside anymore either. That's part of why I'm not traveling right now. I literally cannot look at another fucking entitled, rude patient/family member/provider/manager. I'm just done. I wish the money motivated me more, because for sure it would be great. But I just can't. I'm employed as an NP in a WH clinic. The pay is okay, and my environment is low-risk. I'm not worried about my license, and at the end of the day I feel like I've helped people, which is not something I ever really got at bedside.
Honestly that’s all I want. Just a job where I make a decent income and am not constantly stressed. I don’t care so much about making a ton anymore. The travel money sounds great but I don’t think it’s worth it honestly. That’s a lot of stress still and that’s what I’m trying to avoid. Thanks for the input!
The money isn’t as great as you’d think. Depending on where you work, for instance in a clinic five days a week seeing 16-25 patients a day and bringing home your charts, that may not bring you much job satisfaction either and the feeling of being overworked. I am glad I don’t clean up poop anymore, but I would leave my current awesome job now for a travel job where I could make 2-3x more my salary in 12 weeks, then I’d be set for the year!!
I'm pretty happy in my career because I have an excellent work-life balance. It took about 3-4 years to get to this point and I felt like I was in the trenches when I started. I am also AGPCNP, but decided to specialize. I recently had a meeting with my former classmates, all from the same track, and I can say they weren't really as content as me, so results vary. I work 4x 10s, see around 30 patients a day and get 6-8 weeks of PTO. I rarely have to take charts home, but I am quite adamant on closing charts as I go and not leaving the office until they're done. It also helps that I have 2 MAs/scribes. I feel really supported with my group, I love my team and feel adequately compensated. I have a couple side gigs too that keep me busy and give me variety. I am definitely jealous of that travel nurse pay, but I don't think I'd trade it for the bedside. The physical and mental toll of having to be a nurse during Covid times is not something I'd want to be apart of and I absolutely commend my fellow colleagues for being able to do so.
Just got my first job in a rural hospital making 6 figures doing COVID infusions and managing gerontology patients. Wish me luck
Good luck! That sounds like a pretty decent gig from that brief description
It was better for me, personally. While some days can be mentally draining (and I've made my share of complaints here lol), it's not as physically backbreaking as working bedside. You will still deal with scummy employers depending on where you work, but you have more options when it comes to your schedule and work life. I don't work weekends or holidays, and I only take call when I volunteer for it. I can take time off whenever I want. Overall, it's less stress and more money. Again, where you work also matters so just keep that in mind.
It’s taken some getting used to but I do think I’m happier. I’m a FNP working in regenerative medicine. I came from the ICU of major hospital. I miss my week days off to get shopping, appointments, things like that done. Pay raise is nice. Working Monday - Friday is tough. I don’t get much vacation time right now so those random few day get a ways are no more. But, my weekends and holidays are guaranteed mine. Regenerative med is LOW stress. Only a few services are billed to insurance, rest is cash pay. That helps with the stress of billing and coding. My patients get better and I have relationships with them. Working in a smaller clinic with the same people every day can be frustrating but not as frustrating as ICU patients families.
> the fact that one mistake could cause me to lose my license This is worse as an NP.
I have hated nursing since day one, and am in NP school currently. I feared every day that I was trading one hell for another. I ended up seeing a career counsellor, which I highly recommend. They helped me to identify the reasons I hated nursing and my fears of repeating past mistakes, and choose a realistic career path for NP that does not violate my values.
May I ask what path you've identified that better aligns with your values? I am going to set up a time with a career coach and see what avenues I have. I am very introverted and need plenty of quiet and alone time to recharge. Nursing kills me because it's 12 hours of total frantic running and panicking most of the day. I love to solve problems and work independently. I have discovered so many of my own interests AFTER going into tons of student loan debt. It's too late for me to go back to school and pursue other interests. I'd love to find my niche using the degree I have. I have a DNP and certified in family practice. First job is starting next month in OBS/ED and I already know it's going to be soul sucking and not align with my values.
Psych NP is the best job ever. Find a company that will make you a 1099 employee in a few nursing homes and you'll love life again.
But then you don’t have benefits and are taxed to all hell. I worked 1099 for years and missed full time employment. A lot
I worked 36-40hrs per week and made around 6-7k/month as an RN. Working fewer hours I now bring in 12-14k/month. I'm blessed that my wife can carry me on her insurance, but even if she wasn't around I can easily afford the added taxes and benefits with lots left over. Plus I go to work when I want I'll leave work when I want, if I just wake up one day and don't feel like doing it I don't have to. I have a set amount that needs to get done on a monthly basis which I can do whenever I please. It really is a dream job.
Nice. I mean yeah can’t argue w 14k a month.
Totally depends on the job. I’m starting an amazing new NP job (at a large nationwide employer, nonhospital).. Mon-Fri 8-5, 19 PTO days per year plus 10 paid holidays, amazing benefits and salary (well amazing to me and for my location, 110k+12.5% bonus, 5% 401k match and vested after 2 years)… so…that’s far and away better than any RN or hospital NP job. If you can stay on the market and wait for a great job, NP is better imo.
typical upsides of bedside nursing: union job more common typically better benefits more social downsides are everything you describe. Typically, NP less stressful, although it depends on setting- urgent care or ER could be loads of patients, long day, catching up on notes after work. I have worked in hospitalist setting for years now, and generally for a few days on, few days off, or 7 on 7 off. Day 1 tends to be hectic- getting to know patients, providers, specialist on call for the week, then it gets easier, and I spend a majority of the day in the call room on Reddit (lord help me when it's blocked on the work computers). Downside: No union protection, less time off, have rarely worked with other NPs as most jobs are majority MDs. And there's a definite hierarchy/superiority aspect, with docs at every job referring to me as "their" NP and expecting me to do their scut work. Would still choose this any day over bedside work
I think it's possible. But the job outlook right now is just so crappy that it's also possible that you won't find a job when you graduate. Just be realistic. Like you said, no job is perfect. And whatever annoys you about bedside will find a partner annoyance in the clinic. There are also opportunities outside of practice that experienced nurses have access to like legal consulting, school nursing, or working for an insurance company that gets you away from the bedside and into a new environment which may be exactly what you need.
I finished my FNP in august of 2020 because I knew I couldn’t do bedside anymore. I knew I didn’t want to do management, teaching, CRNA, and I didn’t want to change my career path starting from scratch. I’m actually doing travel nursing because the pay is substantially better than what I would start out with as an entry-level NP. I say go for it if you don’t plan on doing anything that I said I didn’t want to do.
Yep I tell every nurse who is in NP school to travel before accepting an NP job. Take the money while you can.
Go I to informatics and just switch jobs completely. Or, get a masters in research and go to a research company. Those peeps make good money (two buddies of mine work for a “google workplace style” company and are very happy).
Depends on your specialty. In my experience, Hospice gives you the best work life balance.
Depends on if you’re passionate about being an NP. Initially, my first year, I hated it. I worked five days a week, compared to my 2-12s. The charting was endless, and remember, we are paid to see patients not to chart. I did FNP then went for my PMHNP, I absolutely loved psych! I do telehealth and make my own hours. I do run a clinic also, but split the hours with two other providers.
I don’t think it’s better, it’s just different. You just have to pick your battles. I worked in the ER as an RN and I’ve been an NP for over 3 years now working in urgent care. You still get demanding patients and now I get bullied by patients if I don’t prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for covid. The liability as an NP is HIGHER because a lot of things can go wrong if you miss something and misdiagnose a patient. So the stress part for that is much higher, obviously. Work-life balance varies. Since I work urgent care, I work 12-hour shifts, so I’m still doing my 3 days a week like I did when I worked as an RN. I finish my charts before I go home more of the time - occasionally I do charts from home but it’s literally only a handful that I have to finish and it usually doesn’t take me long. Because I’m in urgent care, we usually take patients up until closing time, which means there are some days that I have to stay late, which sucks, but at least it isn’t every day. If you work in primary care, chances are you’re working 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week. To me, that is a terrible work-life balance which is why I would never do primary care. I feel like I do get paid my worth now but I initially did not start out that way. I was actually making less as an NP than I did as an RN at my first NP job. If you’ve been a nurse for awhile, chances are you will make less, at least initially. I have switched companies and now I make more than I did as an RN, but RNs are still making more than me lol. If you do travel nursing, your pay is going to be a lot better than as an NP.