Is the Grass Really Greener on the CNP side?

Specialties NP

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To add to the "whatever happened to going to school to be a nurse" thread, someone please enlighten me on a day in the life of a NP. Because from my RN perspective, the NP's who aren't practicing in a family practice type setting are doing the physician's "dirty laundry", working the crap shifts, receiving food and bribes from pharm reps, spending literally 5 min with patients (which by the way is a different topic I could write a book on), and having to tip toe around medicaid/medicare and other insurance providers. Sure, the pay seems nice, except incurring additional debt from a 2 or 3 year NP program. But the things I listed above don't appeal to me at all just for extra money. Also, it seems very difficult to build trust and develop a relationship with your patients when you only get to see them every 3 months or so for 5 min. Who knows, I might just be super ignorant. Someone prove me wrong, please.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nurse Practitioners forum so your thread can attract replies from those who work as NPs. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in NICU.

I will post something longer later- but wanted to say absolutely (for me) being a NP is much more satisfying and fun than being a bedside RN. I do work in ICU though with some patients being with me for months at a time, so a bit different than clinic work.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
But the things I listed above don't appeal to me at all just for extra money.

You can't want to do it for the money, if you do, you will be disappointed. The only thing that makes being an NP more rewarding (in my opinion) is the role itself. You need to want to be the provider, because in the end, it is way easier not to be.

For most NPs the money is decent and you can live pretty happily. Regardless if you are a CNA or a RN or a NP or a MD, you are always going to have to bust your butt for someone (even if you own your own practice) and wade through a moor of red tape. You need to want to do it or its just trading one set of frustrations for another.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I work in an outpatient specialty practice and I have a pretty sweet deal. I make good money, work 4 days a week, and see and manage my own patients (for more than 5 minutes). The office staff deal with the insurance companies. I see some patients frequently, others less so. I find my job to be satisfying and relatively low stress. I work hard and I'm treated as an equal by the other providers.

I don't think my situation is all that unique, but I could be wrong.

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You can't want to do it for the money, if you do, you will be disappointed. The only thing that makes being an NP more rewarding (in my opinion) is the role itself. You need to want to be the provider, because in the end, it is way easier not to be.

For most NPs the money is decent and you can live pretty happily. Regardless if you are a CNA or a RN or a NP or a MD, you are always going to have to bust your butt for someone (even if you own your own practice) and wade through a moor of red tape. You need to want to do it or its just trading one set of frustrations for another.

If I ever decide to pursue an advanced degree, it most certainly wouldn't be for money. More money earned means more money spent. Plus I'm extremely grateful in that hubby works for our lovely government making the equivalent salary of an NP with just a bachelor's degree. I just really don't understand why RN's are leaving in droves to pursue an NP degree, and I'm trying to understand the appeal of being a practitioner if time doesn't allow for patient relationships and education/guidance on healthy habits.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

It may depend on where you work ultimately but there are still options for working at good practices that invest time in patients.

One of the most difficult skills to learn as a provider is how to make patients feel like they have all the time in the world when you only have 10 minutes.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

Perception is not always the reality. I have been a RN for 16 years and notice the gradual degradation of our practice as nurses. As a NP I feel empowered and making an impact on what I do for my patients. Now, with every profession there are some irritations but being bedside for all those years will NOT be missed. I enjoy interaction with other disciplinary staff and collaborating ideas. As far as the money I do not live above my means and I rather take a small pay cut then working all those holidays and weekends. I have a real life now. I can attend and do my favorite hobbies because I do not have to pound that pavement for 12 hours. So to each is own. The best gift I have given myself is a better option in this profession.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm in a specialty practice also - I see my pts (130+) every week. I work 4 days/week, no weekend call, make very good money and have fantastic benefits.

I am not one to want an ongoing relationship with pts though - I would be very happy in a more acute care environment where you treat'em and street'em. However, I do not wish to work rotating shifts nor do I wish to go back to every third weekend. So - there are trade-offs.

I was very very very happy as an ER RN in a level 1 trauma center. However since I plan to work until I'm 70, the pace might be too hectic.

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Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment. I'm still not convinced to go the NP route. I only work 1 12 a week 4 days a week. The other shifts are 8 or 9's. I don't work weekends or holidays, and we do have snow days for treacherous weather. I work with exercise physiologists, and we are also in close communication with our medical director. I have all the time in the world for patient interaction and helping them get their health back on track. I'm also a certified personal trainer and studying to become CV board certified to further my education. Currently, the only benefit I can see would be the increase in pay if I were to become an NP.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment. I'm still not convinced to go the NP route. I only work 1 12 a week 4 days a week. The other shifts are 8 or 9's. I don't work weekends or holidays, and we do have snow days for treacherous weather. I work with exercise physiologists, and we are also in close communication with our medical director. I have all the time in the world for patient interaction and helping them get their health back on track. I'm also a certified personal trainer and studying to become CV board certified to further my education. Currently, the only benefit I can see would be the increase in pay if I were to become an NP.

The NP route is not for everyone. It sounds like you derive a lot of satisfaction with your current role. No one should feel pressured to move from RN to NP.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

It's not the right move for everyone - there are a lot of paths to success (however you as an individual define it).

Personally, I chose to go back to school because as an ICU RN I sometimes felt like my knowledge took second place to my ability to find clean linens and fresh ice for my patient. While I loved the population that I worked with, that caused me a fair amount of frustration. Both things are vitally important, but I wanted a role where my brain was valued a little more. Hopefully I will find that when I graduate.

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