Doctors, Nurse, NP's, PA's... who is the happiest group overall?

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Sep 1, 2005

The reason I ask this question... I just finished reading a post by a nursing student, who was getting VERY discouraged by all the negative commentary about nursing (in general, not just on the forum).
As a person who is really looking into the healthcare field, and getting ready to take some prereqs... I want to pose the question to all of you nurses and APN's out there... who do you think is happiest? As unhappy as a lot of RN's seem, do you think NP's or other APN's are any happier overall? What about your experience with PA's? And finally, do you feel that doctors are overall happy with their chosen profession? I can't help but wonder, with all the student loans, long hours, and dealing with HMO's - are they any happier than nurses? I've spent time on MD discussion forums, and they certainly don't seem to be complaining, but I'm sure those of you who work with them daily would probably know the true story!
My current loan term goal is to go into nursing, become a NP or other APN, and just see where I feel that I "fit" in best. Maybe the OR, ER... who knows... my happiness is very high priority though and I don't want to make the wrong choice here... I'll be 29 in October and feel that I need to make the right decision, so I would really appreciate any thoughts on the matter.
Maybe what it comes down to is this: If you were a 29 year old female, living with your boyfriend in the bay area, and had the fortunate ability to go to school full-time, without working for as long as you needed, what would you do in healthcare?
Thanks! :)
Izzy

Hi Izzy! I originally went to school for biology & got my MS in biology & then realized at 24 years old that I did not like working in a research lab. So I started nursing school at age 25 & now I am 28 & I just graduated with my BS in nursing this past May & I've been working as an RN for the past 6 weeks on a medica;/surgical/telemetry unit. I like being a nurse, & most days I am happy. Of course there are days like today that are so busy & crazy too-that it can get very overwhelming at times, esp since I'm still so new.

But if I knew/figured out when I first entered college at age 18 that I had an interest in health care, I honestly wish I would've tried going for medical school. I thought about going to med school 3 years ago too, but I'd already been in college/grad school for 7 years straight (plus 3 yrs. in nursing school=10 years!)& I needed to work-I just got married last year too-so I chose to go to nursing school. I think you should just do some more exploring to decide if you want to be a nurse, or doctor, etc. There are happy nurses out there & unhappy nurses too-the same with doctors too. My plan is to be an RN for a couple of years & to then start NP school part-time while I work as an RN. Good luck with whatever you decide!

-Christine :)

Izzygal · Sep 1, 2005

Hi Izzy! I originally went to school for biology & got my MS in biology & then realized at 24 years old that I did not like working in a research lab. So I started nursing school at age 25 & now I am 28 & I just graduated with my BS in nursing this past May & I've been working as an RN for the past 6 weeks on a medica;/surgical/telemetry unit. I like being a nurse, & most days I am happy. Of course there are days like today that are so busy & crazy too-that it can get very overwhelming at times, esp since I'm still so new.
But if I knew/figured out when I first entered college at age 18 that I had an interest in health care, I honestly wish I would've tried going for medical school. I thought about going to med school 3 years ago too, but I'd already been in college/grad school for 7 years straight (plus 3 yrs. in nursing school=10 years!)& I needed to work-I just got married last year too-so I chose to go to nursing school. I think you should just do some more exploring to decide if you want to be a nurse, or doctor, etc. There are happy nurses out there & unhappy nurses too-the same with doctors too. My plan is to be an RN for a couple of years & to then start NP school part-time while I work as an RN. Good luck with whatever you decide!
-Christine :)

Thanks Christine! I feel the same way that you do, that if I would have figured this out at 18 that I wanted to be in healthcare (although it did occasionally cross my young mind), that I would have went to med school too. I often wonder if it would be worth it at my age, especially since I would have a few years before I would even get accepted (if ever) to med school. And then with all the loans, wanting to have kids in the next few years, and generally, just wanting a life, I just keep going back to thinking that it just wouldn't be the smartest way to go, and then I might not even be as happy with it as I could be as a NP for example. So anyway, thanks for the post - I really appreciate your feedback. :)

Izzy

christianRN · Sep 2, 2005

Izzy,

I think it totally depends upon the individual, although I think nurses probably have the most diverse opportunities, so there is a lot to like!

I love my job in ICU and work with very satisfied people (mostly). Of course I know people who love or hate their job in all of the disciplines you named.

The thing that sets nursing a part in my mind is the incredibly different opportunities available. School nursing, hospital nursing (med-surg, OR, ER, and a VAST array of other units), office nursing (tons of specialties to choose from), travel nursing, insurance nursing, parish nursing, and geriatric care are only a few of the possibilities that come to my mind immediately.

Nursing is also the shortest academic preparation time of the disciplines you mentioned, so if one wanted to go back and extend her education once she was in the field and had some experience and first-hand knowledge of the different professions, that would be very feasible.

If I sound like I"m trying to sell nursing....I might be!

Best wishes on your decision making.

Izzygal · Sep 2, 2005

Izzy,
I think it totally depends upon the individual, although I think nurses probably have the most diverse opportunities, so there is a lot to like!
I love my job in ICU and work with very satisfied people (mostly). Of course I know people who love or hate their job in all of the disciplines you named.
The thing that sets nursing a part in my mind is the incredibly different opportunities available. School nursing, hospital nursing (med-surg, OR, ER, and a VAST array of other units), office nursing (tons of specialties to choose from), travel nursing, insurance nursing, parish nursing, and geriatric care are only a few of the possibilities that come to my mind immediately.
Nursing is also the shortest academic preparation time of the disciplines you mentioned, so if one wanted to go back and extend her education once she was in the field and had some experience and first-hand knowledge of the different professions, that would be very feasible.
If I sound like I"m trying to sell nursing....I might be!
Best wishes on your decision making.

You are so right and that's one of the things that attracted me to nursing in the first place - it seems that if you don't like one thing specialty or department, you can just find something else that stimulates you and that you may like more. That's one reason why I'm so surprised that so many nurses are unhappy - this may be naive and simplistic, but why don't more nurses switch into other specialties? I imagine it isn't as easy as that, but... someone enlighten me please!

Thanks!

Izzy

mrdoc2005 · Sep 2, 2005

Izzygal--

I finished my BSN and started working in May. So far I like it. I think a lot has to do with where you work and who is around you. For example the hospital trained me on days then moved me to nights. The day shift was always complaining and was starting to turn me negative. But, since going to nights I love it. The night crew has a very positive outlook and enjoy my job again.

Also, how important is money to you. You can live off of nursing pay. If you want that BIG house, nice car and designer everything to be happy then nursing is not a good choice.

That kinda danced around your question. Just like all the others said, there are happy/unhappy people in every job and not just healthcare.

GrnHonu99, RN · Sep 2, 2005

Thanks Christine! I feel the same way that you do, that if I would have figured this out at 18 that I wanted to be in healthcare (although it did occasionally cross my young mind), that I would have went to med school too. I often wonder if it would be worth it at my age, especially since I would have a few years before I would even get accepted (if ever) to med school. And then with all the loans, wanting to have kids in the next few years, and generally, just wanting a life, I just keep going back to thinking that it just wouldn't be the smartest way to go, and then I might not even be as happy with it as I could be as a NP for example. So anyway, thanks for the post - I really appreciate your feedback. :)
Izzy

I too, started out wanted to go to med school. I entered college at 18 and I was determined to go. Well the farther into college I got and the more "I found myself" I came to realize that as much as I loved the medical field, I didnt think I wanted to dedicate my life to it as I would if I were an MD. My thinking was, someday I want to be able to spend time with my kids, I want a flexible schedule, I dont want to work crazy hours.... so at that point I was a bit lost and I majored in Psycholgoy and sociology bc I thought they were interesting. I figured since I have no idea what I want to do I might as well major in something that I find interesting. I have to say im glad I did, psych and soc have taught me to see people and society in a different way. They have made me an excellent critical thinker. Anyway, long story short, I grad. last year and then it dawned on me...why not go to nursing school? lol...i went back to school and got accepted into a masters of nursing program..and the moment i stepped on campus and started my program I knew after all the school I had completed, this was it, finally!:)

I feel like becoming an NP will not only fulfill my dream of going to med school but doesnt have as many of the negative aspects of med school that deterred me initially...Just think after a few years in the business if you still want to go back to med school...well ive heard many of my instructors say that they know many nurses who went to med school and what an edge you have~ Nurses make wonderful MDs!

Im not sure if I will ever go back, I love the nursing field. I feel like its no other field out there like it. The job security is wonderful, the flexibility is like no other field. You can do a million and one things if you are a nurse. The opportunity to further your education and become an NP is great too. NP's have a lot of autonomy, more so than most think. I like the nursing model of learning as well, the idea of wellness...treat the whole person not just cure the disease. Nurses are all about prevention and wellness, I like that:) I also like that I have the opportunity to bond with my patients..like someone else on this board said, "its the nurses that the pts remember". Being a nurse is so personal. Sorry for rambling guys!!!

Good luck to all of you, in whatever field you choose, you cant go wrong with a job in health care!:)

Izzygal · Sep 2, 2005

Izzygal--
I finished my BSN and started working in May. So far I like it. I think a lot has to do with where you work and who is around you. For example the hospital trained me on days then moved me to nights. The day shift was always complaining and was starting to turn me negative. But, since going to nights I love it. The night crew has a very positive outlook and enjoy my job again.
Also, how important is money to you. You can live off of nursing pay. If you want that BIG house, nice car and designer everything to be happy then nursing is not a good choice.
That kinda danced around your question. Just like all the others said, there are happy/unhappy people in every job and not just healthcare.

I'm definitely not getting into nursing for the money... so I guess that's a good thing! :) I have heard that nights is an overall better environment, but I know that I would like to be on days, so I guess like you said, I just need to find my niche... in a great hospital working with great, motivated people. I'm a very positive minded person, and I really want to work with those who are of a similar mind-set.

Thanks for posting and sharing your thoughts!

Izzy

Izzygal · Sep 2, 2005

I too, started out wanted to go to med school. I entered college at 18 and I was determined to go. Well the farther into college I got and the more "I found myself" I came to realize that as much as I loved the medical field, I didnt think I wanted to dedicate my life to it as I would if I were an MD. My thinking was, someday I want to be able to spend time with my kids, I want a flexible schedule, I dont want to work crazy hours.... so at that point I was a bit lost and I majored in Psycholgoy and sociology bc I thought they were interesting. I figured since I have no idea what I want to do I might as well major in something that I find interesting. I have to say im glad I did, psych and soc have taught me to see people and society in a different way. They have made me an excellent critical thinker. Anyway, long story short, I grad. last year and then it dawned on me...why not go to nursing school? lol...i went back to school and got accepted into a masters of nursing program..and the moment i stepped on campus and started my program I knew after all the school I had completed, this was it, finally!:)
I feel like becoming an NP will not only fulfill my dream of going to med school but doesnt have as many of the negative aspects of med school that deterred me initially...Just think after a few years in the business if you still want to go back to med school...well ive heard many of my instructors say that they know many nurses who went to med school and what an edge you have~ Nurses make wonderful MDs!
Im not sure if I will ever go back, I love the nursing field. I feel like its no other field out there like it. The job security is wonderful, the flexibility is like no other field. You can do a million and one things if you are a nurse. The opportunity to further your education and become an NP is great too. NP's have a lot of autonomy, more so than most think. I like the nursing model of learning as well, the idea of wellness...treat the whole person not just cure the disease. Nurses are all about prevention and wellness, I like that:) I also like that I have the opportunity to bond with my patients..like someone else on this board said, "its the nurses that the pts remember". Being a nurse is so personal. Sorry for rambling guys!!!
Good luck to all of you, in whatever field you choose, you cant go wrong with a job in health care!:)

Everything you just said here is exactly what motivated me in the first place to look into nursing. I completely agree with everything you said and it's so nice to hear that you are happy with your choice, and that you feel positive towards the field of nursing. My NP told me what you basically said, that being an NP is the best of both worlds... given the right environment, you get that autonomy, the ability to make critical decisions and care for patients, but you don't have a lot of the annoyances that many MD's have to deal with and be responsible for. And as I want kids, it's just makes sense to be in a job that is more flexible and yet still fulfilling.

I appreciate you posting... and thanks to everyone for taking the time to help.

Izzy :)