Does any NP regret becoming one

futureeastcoastNP · Sep 8, 2014

Just out of curiosity what region of the country do you work where nurses are treated this way? I've been a traveller all over the country and am yet to experience a hospital system or group of employers that treats or views their employees this way. Even now I work at a hospital owned by the largest healthcare system in the country, and don't feel this way.
Additionally, nursing has always been a blue collar type of job. If anything, I feel like it's transitioning away from it's blue collar roots, and being viewed as a higher class profession. Not many professions in this country can provide a respectable income right out of 4 year (or even community) college with lots of opportunity for advancement, while providing a plethora of different job opportunities across a broad spectrum of medical disciplines. You also might be interested to know that nursing (as in RN's) is what generates the some of the best revenue for a hospital system.
That said, I absolutely agree that the NP role achieves more respect, both from peers, and also from the community. People with even a basic grasp of our scope of practice greatly value our expertise and knowledge.

I felt that way when I worked in the hospital system, at 2 different hospitals in two different regions. Bedside nurses just aren't treated well, in general. I think any profession where you're expected to rush yourself eating lunch, or take minimal bathroom breaks, etc is not a "respectful" environment. I also take issue with the requirement of putting the job before our own safety, as exemplified in the many posts here where people are beaten down for choosing not to go to work if the roads are unsafe. I know many physicians who have no qualms about calling in if the weather isn't safe, and hospitals are very accommodating and let them know they should put their safety first. When nurses do the same, it's as if it's ridiculous that they believe their life is more important than the work schedule and results in all sorts of disciplinary actions. Furthermore, I've seen nurses disciplined for simple misunderstandings while a provider in the same situation would get nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

Outside of the hospital, I think it depends on your social circle. I come from a highly educated high earning family, and many of the people in my social circle (high school and college friends) are the same. They've gone on to be business leaders, scientists, lawyers, professors, etc. Saying I am a bedside nurse definitely does not impress them in any way, and most wonder why I didn't set my sights higher. I think respect is relative, and so there really is no answer to this question.

gcupid · Sep 9, 2014

I appreciated everyone responding to this post. I have finally come to terms that it is necessary to go back to school to obtain more professional working conditions. I did not want to invest more money into education especially if I would not like the career but I hunger for advanced knowledge and would like to have more in depth understanding of how the body works, medicine, treatments, diagnosis along with better pay, prestige, respect, and lunch breaks ...I can be sort of a nerd.

PG2018 · Sep 9, 2014

I haven't completed a NP program yet although I am close. I regret not having ample free time to enjoy the hobbies I did before changed careers and returned to school. Of note, I returned to school for the express, singular purpose of becoming a psych NP so my "back to school" pursuit includes two years of BSN/RN (my second BS) and three years of MSN/PMHNP so five straight years of academics.

I also regret that I didn't pursue a couple of other careers that were pretty much off limits due to some other life circumstances and/or color blindness, but I don't regret studying psychopathology or psychopharmacology. It's rather cool, and I've even grown to be more interested in it than I was originally. With regard to most of what nursing revolves around; I don't care one iota about med-surg stuff, the "bedside," critical care, nursing theories, core measures, et al.

Some of the career paths of particular interest to me are:

Military officer

Federal law enforcement

History professor (my fav subject)

Prosecutor

Magazine writing (PopMech, PopSci, NatGeo, and others like that)

National or State Park ranger and superintendent

serenity1 · Sep 9, 2014

@PsychGuy....I love history too and would love to have been a History Professor!! That cracks me up that another nurse felt the same way. When I tell people I really wanted to be a History professor but the jobs are too hard to get they laugh at me and wonder how I went from that to nursing. It is possible to like more than one area. Happy for you that you found another area that really interests you. Best of luck in your future endeavors!!

SydneyJo1 · Sep 10, 2014

I have a degree in History from my "other life" (pre-nursing), so the two of you are not alone!

Tinabeanrn · Sep 10, 2014

I really do enjoy being a NP but some of the restrictions in my state ( MI) make it really hard to practice the way my pts need me too. I would look at the states rules before becoming a NP. There are a lot of things to consider.

allnurses Guide · Sep 10, 2014

I don't regret it at all; it was the best life choice I have made as far as my quality of life, overall happiness, and finances are concerned.

There are struggles that, as you gain experience in practice, will present themselves, the worst of which is the administrative red tape that piles up, at least in my opinion.

Some comments here are from students, who have seen the good side of the NP role, in a few years they may not have the grass-is-always-greener mentality anymore. There is good and bad. There is with just about every job out there.

I love it. I have colleagues that don't, and I can see their point of view.

The best thing you can do is shadow before you make a big investment.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 12, 2014

Agree with Boston.

personally, I was happier in the ER. I'm very type A, love chaos, love love live never knowing what's coming in the door and am admittedly an adrenaline junkie.

that said, I like having autonomy, not working rotating shifts, the pay increase and the ability it dint my job as I age.

however I still volunteer on my rural EMS squad for the adrenaline rush...

PG2018 · Sep 12, 2014

Of note, I entered the NP program with a self-commitment of five years. For me, that means I've devoted myself to working five years as a psych NP. Beyond that, no telling what train I'll hop on. Although it's possible I'll continue on, I have no idea what I want to retire from, but even though I don't regret this academic program I don't presently foresee myself doing the NP thing forever.

gcupid · Sep 14, 2014

Just out of curiosity what region of the country do you work where nurses are treated this way? I've been a traveller all over the country and am yet to experience a hospital system or group of employers that treats or views their employees this way. Even now I work at a hospital owned by the largest healthcare system in the country, and don't feel this way.
Additionally, nursing has always been a blue collar type of job. If anything, I feel like it's transitioning away from it's blue collar roots, and being viewed as a higher class profession. Not many professions in this country can provide a respectable income right out of 4 year (or even community) college with lots of opportunity for advancement, while providing a plethora of different job opportunities across a broad spectrum of medical disciplines. You also might be interested to know that nursing (as in RN's) is what generates the some of the best revenue for a hospital system.
That said, I absolutely agree that the NP role achieves more respect, both from peers, and also from the community. People with even a basic grasp of our scope of practice greatly value our expertise and knowledge.

I've been a traveler as well but I have not been all over the country. From my experience there is a unique hospital culture to every facility and while there have been one or two places that truly value nurses, the majority treat nurses like crap. It is very blue collar in regards to treatment, not in opportunity.....and the pay is okay pay. (I don't consider nursing a high paying career when comparing our responsibilities/stress/revenue building/risks compared to other professions with 4 year degrees....)

Maybe it comes down to an individuals perception, but I bet if we took a poll from RNs as well as the general public that magically come to the realization of what we do, the intellect and humility required because of the conditions in which we must get things done.....I doubt it would be seen as a profession because of the treatment. Take away all the other categories.

Goatie · Mar 28, 2017

Ive been an NP for 20 years now, I like the respect that comes with the position, and I can honestly say Ive had jobs that I liked and jobs that I detested. I cannot say Ive had an NP job that I truly "loved". Why? Its because its very difficult and complex and challenging. Many times, Ive had dreaded thoughts of sending someone home with the wrong med or tx, then they die or something bad. Yes, Ive earned good money as an NP, but Ive also quit a job with a 6-figure salary because the stress was overwhelming and I got ill (the worst were the chest pains). Don't regret being an NP or going to NP school, be proud, but move on if something is not causing fulfillment.