I'm a New Grad NP and I'm just pumping patients for 'the man'.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Apr 17, 2007

Well, I am still in school and will graduate this December, but your experience is my concern. Because of this, my plan is to work in a "non-specialized" role... again, my PLAN... but who knows how that will work out. I'm hoping to do something along the lines of a hospitalist where you have to know a little bit about a lot of things. Perhaps you would best fit in the office setting or with a specialist that deals with multiple comorbidities, i.e. cardiac/diabetes. Maybe even ER?

Just a thought...

DucatiNP · Apr 17, 2007

well, i am still in school and will graduate this december, but your experience is my concern. because of this, my plan is to work in a "non-specialized" role... again, my plan... but who knows how that will work out. i'm hoping to do something along the lines of a hospitalist where you have to know a little bit about a lot of things. perhaps you would best fit in the office setting or with a specialist that deals with multiple comorbidities, i.e. cardiac/diabetes. maybe even er?
just a thought...

daisy, my plan was to be in family practice (i'm an fnp) but the need (in the bay area) is in specialty. i did a quick search of the bay area, ca and for every 1 low pay primary care position there are 10 higher pay hospital specialty positions (and 80 nps applying).

er would be great, too bad there are no positions posted (i may have to make one somehow). and i know i'm a 1st year out, i'll stick it out for a couple more months because most job postings like 2 years experience.

i wanted to confirm i'm not being 'crazy'. i have a great hospital high(er) paying job and i'm not completely happy. my parents would say i'm nuts. i say this is my career and i need to use everything i learned and not let it go to waste.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 17, 2007

I graduated last May and I'm in nephrology. It is okay but I am beginning to rethink my life. I really really liked trauma nursing and the ER and I am bored to tears with my current job. The staff that I work with is wonderful and most of the patients are too. However, just something other than looking at access all day would be so welcome.

That said, the job market for APNs is very tight where I live. The hospital positions pay less than what I made as a staff RN and with my student loans, I can't take a pay cut. Realistically, I can't change at the moment.

I do not regret my choice to go back to school but I'm looking at other options too.

DucatiNP · Apr 17, 2007

I graduated last May and I'm in nephrology. It is okay but I am beginning to rethink my life. I really really liked trauma nursing and the ER and I am bored to tears with my current job. The staff that I work with is wonderful and most of the patients are too. However, just something other than looking at access all day would be so welcome.
That said, the job market for APNs is very tight where I live. The hospital positions pay less than what I made as a staff RN and with my student loans, I can't take a pay cut. Realistically, I can't change at the moment.
I do not regret my choice to go back to school but I'm looking at other options too.

I feel you TraumaRUs, the staff and patients are wonderful. On average specialty has more time per patient than primary care, so the job is great but boring!

The NP job market in the Bay Area is tight also, and I may have more loans than you because I went to a private college x7years.

What other options are you looking at?

Trauma Columnist · Apr 18, 2007

Am not sure...I have interviewed at a surgical group but not sure they want to come up with what I want money-wise.

I'll be honest too - my College of Nursing needs instructors and that is kinda enticing too. I've also considered looking into management though I swore I would never, ever in a million years do this. (My MSN concentration was management and leadership. I did a post-MSN CNS).

So...am just not sure...what about you?

DucatiNP · Apr 18, 2007

Am not sure...I have interviewed at a surgical group but not sure they want to come up with what I want money-wise.
I'll be honest too - my College of Nursing needs instructors and that is kinda enticing too. I've also considered looking into management though I swore I would never, ever in a million years do this. (My MSN concentration was management and leadership. I did a post-MSN CNS).
So...am just not sure...what about you?

I have a habit of carefully watching the wiser / older crowd (that has tried many positions) and see what position they preferred best. The 2 older NPs that I know chose teaching over everything else they have tried. But I haven't looked into it yet.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 18, 2007

I work in a rural area (cinic and ED) and have a wide variety of a days' experiences. But, this came after several years of "looking around" for this type of job.

Have to say, teaching is what I dearly love and do that more so now for I've all but retired from NP clinicals.

DucatiNP · Apr 18, 2007

I work in a rural area (cinic and ED) and have a wide variety of a days' experiences. But, this came after several years of "looking around" for this type of job.
Have to say, teaching is what I dearly love and do that more so now for I've all but retired from NP clinicals.

Siri, seven years of looking around sounds so long to me. I want perfect and I want it now (haha). I think urgent care / ED would be great. I guess I should look at what teaching has to offer also.

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 18, 2007

Siri, seven years of looking around sounds so long to me. I want perfect and I want it now (haha). I think urgent care / ED would be great. I guess I should look at what teaching has to offer also.

I didn't say, "seven". Several as in 3.5 years. But, it does take persistence. Hopefully it will not take you long to find your niche'.

Good luck.

newyorknursey · Apr 18, 2007

I am looking at NP school, this discussion is great because my sense of the opportunites for satisfying NP work is that it is rare!!!!

All the advanced degrees (NP) seem to end up in education, and not because it was the first choice!! But out of similar frustration as is being expressed here about challenging work.

I recently saw a posting for the Medical Examiner's office for NP here in the city(New York); but I am skeptical if the NP actually does the interesting stuff or not.

I appreciate the thought from the rural NP who said she finds a great variety of situations - I guess that is the advantage of working rurally, I think you end up in a more interesting/independent practitioner kind of work.

Thoughts? Am I too skeptical of the state of the profession?

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 18, 2007

Hello, newyorknursey and welcome to allnurses.com

Speaking of the ME office; I am considering running for coroner next election. Job doesn't call for an advanced practice nurse, but my APN qualifications make me attractive for the position.

Would be interesting to see what the job description is for that position in the ME office in NY.

I might add that for me, my job as educator was not out of frustration; simply the fact that I LOVE educating those pursuing nursing as well as educating residents in our med school and I had the opportunity to do both NP and educator.

Hope you enjoy the site and good luck with your future plans to become an APN.