This might be a bit of a unique situation, but I'm hoping for some advice or personal anecdotes of similar situations.
I graduated from a direct entry NP program (biology BS degree -> RN -> MSN) 6.5y ago. In other words, I only have RN experience from my clinicals, not from working as an RN. BTW, I'm not asking for any judgment on that piece. :)
I have been quite successfully working as a family nurse practitioner in a busy family practice clinic for the past 6y. I really enjoy my patients, but I am SO. BURNED. OUT. I work all day, and then go home and work on charting, refills, etc paperwork in the evening and on weekends. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and it is a tendency I haven't been able to break, and it is ruining me in this career. I have a few nights per month on call. I never feel like I am "off of work," EVER.
About 6mo ago I added a per diem job as a SANE RN (sexual assault nurse examiner). Despite the unfortunate circumstances that bring these patients in to the hospital, I really enjoy that job.
Recently I've been considering the idea of giving up my NP career (as I am getting somewhat closer to paying off my 6-figure loan) in favor of becoming a bedside nurse. In particular, I really think I would enjoy L&D nursing. I don't see any way of getting into it though, since I don't have floor experience as an RN. There are some local hospitals that have specialty residency programs, but they will only take RN's who graduated within the past year. I definitely need more teaching/experience before I could do the work.
And yes, I've considered going back for midwifery degree. Just don't have tens of thousands more dollars to do it!
Any advice? Am I just crazy?
Thank you reading my long post, and for any and all advice!