Is it realistic for me to want to be a Nurse Practioner?

You really just have to think of what your career goals are. Do you want that direct patient contact? I suggest possibly shadowing an NP for a day. Go to your local University and attend one of the open house days. Ask the faculty/program director if they could recommend someone for you to shadow. Perhaps one of the faculty would be willing to let you shadow them (a lot of them have another job). Public Administration is a totally different role. I don't know what it all entails, but I'm pretty sure it's not quite the same.