Would you recommend getting FNP degree?

In a nutshell, everyone has to make that decision themselves. I do not think being an FNP is all it is cracked up to be.

I started a program, and was really enjoying it. Then I sat down and took a good look at what being and FNP entailed. Other than no longer doing nursing, which for me was a big thing, there is also the hours you will put in. Usually 9-5(7?) five days a week. No more opportunity to do shift work. As a staff nurse I work 7 days on and 7 days off, you won't see that as FNP.

You will most likely work in a physicians office, very few NP's actually open an independent practice (but there are the ones that do it). Although a mid-level (PA/FNP) should see less pt's than a physician, often the scheduling of appointments keep you close to what the doc does. So much for a holostic approach to health care delivery. You will be grinding them out just like the docs, see em, treat em, street em (with a script). I believe a NP should take more time and spend time talking to the patients, treating the cause as well as the symptoms. If I see a doc for a cough, I may get some meds, same with an NP. In my world, an NP should take the time to discuss health behaviors, environmental causes, and the relationship of the cough to the whole body. But, that seldom happens. If an NP were to take that much time per patient, they would be there till midnight. Of course, doing half the patients the doc does could help the NP reach that goal. But, would you hire an NP that only sees about half the patients you do, if you were the clinic doc?

I also looked at the money an NP makes, and I decided to travel for a few years. I would venture to say in the last two years I have made as much as most NP's. And that is as a staff nurse. I have now taken a job in a government facility, while not making as much as a traveler, it is more than adequate for me. I probably still make as much as many NP's. I am home, I see my wife everyday, and I like where I am, I get a week off every other week. So, I am happy with my decision to quit the NP route.

I also would have needed loans to finish my NP degree, which added to what I already owe, was just more than I wanted to do at this time.

If I were to go back for a NP degree, it would as a Emergency Nurse Practioner. There are a few programs in the country that do this. I know one is in Houston. There seems to more of a demand for mid-levels in the ER setting to deal with the "clinic" patients, especially now that so many people use the ER as their primary health provider.

There are many good reasons to become a NP, I just don't think any of them made an impression on me. Most NP's I know are happy with their decision, a few are disgruntled. But, that is true in any profession.

I wanted to show a less than rosy picture for you. A decision like this has to be made with as much information as you can get.

If you are serious about becoming a mid-level provider, you may want to look into becoming a PA, and comparing all aspects of that job with the job of an NP.

bob

I'm a new BSN grad and I have been wanting to become a family nurse practitioner ever since I was in pre-nursing. I spent a day observing a FNP at a pediatricians office during my peds rotation and thought her job was super-cool - and was wowed by all the stuff she was allowed to do that regular nurses couldn't - such as diagnosing and prescribing.

My question is do you think it's worth it? Is it worth the extra 2-3 years it would take to become a family nurse practitioner? What are the pros/cons?

I have an option to start a program this fall, but I have to get a year of experience before I can start the classes that include clinicals.

Thanks for reading/replying (in advance)

Seren