How has things changed for you as an APRN?

allnurses Guide · Oct 21, 2014

I have my BSN with 1.5 years of experience at this time and I'm looking to become a doctoral prepared APRN at this time. To be honest, I don't like bedside nursing. I'm not sure if schools take that into consideration when it comes to your application, but I would like more autonomy in my practice which is pretty much the only reason I'm applying.
But how has things changed for you? Do you feel you have more freedom? Do you feel like you've gained more respect, are the demands as tedious, what's the difference in your experience?

It's (nearly) an entirely different role so it is very difficult to compare directly. Most NPs move from long shifts, night shifts, weekend/holiday shifts to a more predictable schedule. The autonomy is not comparable to an RN role. There is a trade between one set of tedious demands to another (true of any job). The difference is night and day: some like it some hate it. Make sure you shadow first but if the role of for you than it is more than worth it. No regrets here.

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Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 22, 2014

It's (nearly) an entirely different role so it is very difficult to compare directly. Most NPs move from long shifts, night shifts, weekend/holiday shifts to a more predictable schedule. The autonomy is not comparable to an RN role. There is a trade between one set of tedious demands to another (true of any job). The difference is night and day: some like it some hate it. Make sure you shadow first but if the role of for you than it is more than worth it. No regrets here.
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Hey BostonFNP! I know I want to get out of the hospital. I only chose to work there because I was told that that is where you get the most experience in college and I was open and wanted to make myself the most marketable. But I feel like I was at everyone's beck and call now. Thing is, if I leave now, I want it to be when I'm in a position where I have a lot more autonomy and have more control. Definitely into primary care...in a more suburban, community style area, so FNP is where I'm headed. When you were applying for graduate schools, were they looking for people who enjoyed the bedside experience?

zmansc, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2014

OP -

One of the great things about nursing is the diversity of things you can do with it. I can only talk about one NP program, and only about a bit more than one class in that program, but I can tell you that I have many cohorts in my class who were not primarily bedside nurses in their previous careers. Yes, there were several of us ER nurses, and quite a few ICU nurses as well. But there were also school nurses, community health nurses, LTC nurses, etc. Several of my cohorts have a very diverse background, many with over 20 years of experience. Others had less than five years of experience and/or had only worked in one setting. I cannot speak to why one person was chosen over another candidate, but I can tell you that not being a fan of bedside nursing does not have to hold you back. If you know what you want to do, work towards it!

smspicer · Oct 22, 2014

I agree with the other replies that it is hard to compare in many respects. I became an adult NP (MSN) about 6 years after becoming a BSN/ RN. I think all the things you mentioned are true since I have become a NP. I feel like I have gained more respect, and freedom. I work in hospice and have a flexible schedule, though. Sometimes in the office setting this may not be true. The demands being tedious vary as it does as a BSN, depending on the area in which you work. I also did not like bedside nursing- in fact- I felt that I did not perform in that role as well as I do as a NP. Which is why I find it funny sometimes when nurses I work with say they could "never do what I do". I let them know that I admire bedside nurses who handle that role much better than I did when I was in their role! I feel I fit in the "team" better in the NP role. I guess it comes down to finding where you fit in best, in terms of education as well as setting.

allnurses Guide · Oct 22, 2014

When you were applying for graduate schools, were they looking for people who enjoyed the bedside experience?

Most graduate programs likely won't know/care how much you enjoy the bedside role.

As others have said, I feel I am a better NP than I was a bedside RN.

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anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 25, 2014

I'm 50 days away from graduation (then on to take my FNP cert exam) but I'm really looking forward to my NP role. What I think I'm going to enjoy (and have enjoyed so far) is more autonomy, using my mind more, and being able to help people when they're sick and well. Plus the "detective" work. Rather than just following orders I'll get to call some shots which will be nice. I'm hoping to get into cardiology at some point. That's the only position I've actually applied for so far (and didn't get it...wasn't surprised but won't get it if I don't apply!) but figure I'll wind up in general care for a little while.

I'm also looking forward to the pay jump (can't lie...but it's not everything). I've only been a RN for 4.5 years so I am nowhere near maxed out on the RN pay scale. The way I've got it figured I should have ALL bills (excluding my mortgage) paid off my first year after graduation!! Hoping to be on my way to my dream home by the time I'm 30 :yes:

Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 26, 2014

lol That's awesome! That's actually something I'd like as well. :) But we shall see.

I'm 50 days away from graduation (then on to take my FNP cert exam) but I'm really looking forward to my NP role. What I think I'm going to enjoy (and have enjoyed so far) is more autonomy, using my mind more, and being able to help people when they're sick and well. Plus the "detective" work. Rather than just following orders I'll get to call some shots which will be nice. I'm hoping to get into cardiology at some point. That's the only position I've actually applied for so far (and didn't get it...wasn't surprised but won't get it if I don't apply!) but figure I'll wind up in general care for a little while.
I'm also looking forward to the pay jump (can't lie...but it's not everything). I've only been a RN for 4.5 years so I am nowhere near maxed out on the RN pay scale. The way I've got it figured I should have ALL bills (excluding my mortgage) paid off my first year after graduation!! Hoping to be on my way to my dream home by the time I'm 30

adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN · Oct 27, 2014

I'm 50 days away from graduation (then on to take my FNP cert exam) but I'm really looking forward to my NP role. What I think I'm going to enjoy (and have enjoyed so far) is more autonomy, using my mind more, and being able to help people when they're sick and well. Plus the "detective" work. Rather than just following orders I'll get to call some shots which will be nice. I'm hoping to get into cardiology at some point. That's the only position I've actually applied for so far (and didn't get it...wasn't surprised but won't get it if I don't apply!) but figure I'll wind up in general care for a little while.
I'm also looking forward to the pay jump (can't lie...but it's not everything). I've only been a RN for 4.5 years so I am nowhere near maxed out on the RN pay scale. The way I've got it figured I should have ALL bills (excluding my mortgage) paid off my first year after graduation!! Hoping to be on my way to my dream home by the time I'm 30

I hope so too to be on my way by the time I am 30