Sigh...the dreaded day...advice needed

Nurses Career Support

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Greetings to all.

I just discovered this site only hours ago through a friend of mine. I am absolutely overjoyed to have stumbled upon such an amazing site such as this one. I am writing this post because...I am seeking outside encouragement...or advice...from other healthcare professionals whom can provide me with an outside perspective.

Presently I am an NP, however, I have never worked as one...in fact...I have never utilized any of my nursing licenses...neither my LVN or RN. I was inspired to become a nurse when I was 14 after being hospitalized for an extended period of time by the nurses who provided me daily care. When it became time for me to pursue a nursing education I soon realized upon the completion of my LVN program that although I loved nursing I was not yet comfortable practicing nursing yet. Eventually, after competing my RN program, I still felt the same way...and my fears and insecurities as a nurse prevented me from once again accepting any job offers and thus I refrained from utilizing another license which I worked extremely hard to obtain. I than decided to stay busy and further my studies which culminated in an APN degree...but sadly...my fears only increased because of the heightened level of autonomy, increased scope of practice, and responsibilities required of APN's. After fulfilling my educational goals and dreams...I never was able to muster the courage to secure any nursing job either as a nurse nor as a midlevel provider. With my education complete, income needed to be generated so I accepted a job not in the healthcare field and am making much less then I am capable of bringing in when considering the income scale of both nurses and APN's in my present location.

In between my schooling I took some time off to marry my longtime partner, who has been my rock throughout my studies, and is the reason I have been afforded the opportunity to pursue my education. He has never pressured me to secure a job and utilize my education until recently as an injury has rendered him disabled which resulted in him leaving the work force until he makes a full recovery. I now feel it is my responsibility to secure a position where I can generate a higher monetary income and make up for the loss in finances, especially when I know I am capable of doing so. A week ago he told me as I was providing him care that perhaps I should consider securing a job in the nursing field.

I am scared...I am discouraged...I don't know where to begin...and despite me being confident in the knowledge I possess...I still do not feel equipped to work as either a nurse or a clinician. I am looking for words of encouragement here I guess or any suggestions on what I could do to overcome my insecurities and fears...or possible suggestions on what work I could possibly do which would ease me into the nursing world.

If you can make it through this long thread...and provide some words of wisdom regarding my circumstances...know that I would appreciate it more than words can express.

Sincerely,

PinkPinster

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I really think anyone getting an advanced practice degree should HAVE to have real experience as a nurse before getting the advanced degree.But since that isn't your reality.....do you know any docs who have NPs working with them? Maybe you could shadow for a while until you develope some confidence.Best of luck to you and a speedy recovery for your husband.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I'm glad to hear you've gotten some help.

Klone said what I was going to, so no need to repeat :)

Being a nurse is scary, when you realize that they actually trust you to take care of people. I remember my first few months of working, I would go in to work in the am, to make sure my patients were still alive. I think that as previous posters have said, you have to deal with the anxiety correctly. Any time you take a new job o change into a new specialty, you will feel anxiety.

Specializes in ED.

I agree with another poster who said getting a few years under your belt in a staff nurse position. Also, what about going into education. You have your advance degree, you could teach others the book knowledge part...

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Find a clinical mentor and take a job with a great orientation program and a number of other NPs.

The advice to get some experience as a staff nurse is a double edges sword; it may be good for you or it may cause more problems then it helps. I would advise you to shoot for a NP job, provided you are boarded.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Lots of facilities have RN Residency programs and Nurse Re-Entry programs in which the nurse in question shadows an experienced nurse to gain training and guidance. I would definitely suggest one of these. I remember working with a nurse back in 2005 who had returned to the workforce after not having worked since the early 70s. But her Delta Airline pilot husband was laid off as a result of economic changes and she had no choice but to return to a world that had changed so much that computers at the time of her last day of employment was not even a concept according to her. Even starting IVs was a learning experience because we now use plastic caths instead of the stainless steel, real-deal needles that were used back in her day. But she came back and bounced back in such a way that I couldn't tell she had been out of the field for 30 years. There is no shame in it. I think it is definitely worth a try for you. And yeah, you gotta get those nerves in check because your patients will definitely pick up on that. I am a very shy person off the clock and I love to sing and have been told by a person or two that I have a beautiful voice. But my nerves have kept me confined to nursing. LOL! I cannot get up in front of people and talk; let along sing. But I don't have any problem walking into a room filled with a patient's family and friends and telling them what I know about nursing as it pertains to my patient. Go figure. Singing would pay so much more! I could have been on stage tonight instead of Beyonce!!!! Good luck!

Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Remember Benner's Novice to Expert theory? You're trapped in the Advanced Beginner stage. The only way to get past it is to get out there and do it. Pretty much everyone, on starting a new job feels nervous about being able to do it appropriately and confidence can be a bit missing for awhile. If you did well in school, you'll be able to adjust to the work too, I bet you a nickel!

Go for it.

Specializes in Critical Care, Telemetry, CCU, PCU.

Welcome PinkPinkster and congratulations on achieving your educational goals. I myself am not a new nurse, but I am new to this site. I am so glad I stumbled across it, as there is an abundance of experience and knowledge amongst the members here. After 16.5 years of nursing practice, I am finally able to persue an advance practice degree. I raised my children as a single parent and have had to do it step by step... Tech, LPN, ADN then BSN. I personally know several APRNs who work solely as bedside nurses. There's no shame in it, and there's no such thing as being "just an RN". I agree with the other posters regarding a simple, but honest answer during the interview. Something along the lines of 'Now that I've accomplished my educational goals, I would like to focus on bedside practice. I feel that my advanced degree will be useful in this regard.' Also, I would encourage you to reach out to your mentor. I know you mentioned feeling embarrassed to do so, but it can only help. And remember, with a nursing degree, there are a great many employment options including Case Management, Medical Review, Education, Parrish Nursing, and on and on. Good luck and keep us posted!

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Great suggestions! The only thing I would add is be persistent with the interviewing. Go on a lot of interviews and see if you can figure out which would be a good fit for you. A staff job would be less stressful but there are stressors--group dynamics and time management. If you go for an APN job make sure you have plenty of support. Best wishes..

Specializes in LTC, Medical, Telemetry.

Not to be a jerk, but does anyone else find it odd to make it through a Master's degree without addressing this issue along the way? I can understand post-grad jitters, but if you are this uncomfortable with nursing, how did you make it through the clinical component? What were you doing before looking for a nursing position? Why were you not interested in pursuing a ARNP job before your husband's disability? In terms of your husband making a full recovery, how long do you expect that to be?

I'm sorry if this is rude and OP is legit, but after reading the Munchausens by internet article I am skeptical of what I read online. I am having a really hard time understanding the dynamics of this situation.

That is perfect.OP, I know you say you just use a PRN but maybe you need to be reevaluated or sit down with a therapist to discuss your problem. I do apologize if my first response seemed flippant to you, but I am only trying to make you see that this crippling fear isn't normal.My sister has anxiety issues and once she dealt with them, she couldn't believe she had waited so long to figure it all out and seek help. And plus, a nurse who has experience in anxiety is a great advocate for patients to be properly treated. It will actually probably help you feel more connected to your patients, being able to empathize with what they are going through during the scary time of hospitalization.
Exactly. "Crippling fear." But apparently that's just me projecting my issues onto the OP as netglow stated. We're talking about a nurse practitioner who is incapable of working as a nurse. You dont just get a swift kick in the butt for that. A person needs help. Not a lecture to griw up, because its obviously more than thst. Just because I can relate to anxiety, that means Im projecting? That's BS.
Salutations klone, I really would much rather prefer to work as a staff nurse. I feel now that my education is complete, and I am going to for the first time utilize my license as a nurse...it only makes sense to start as a staff nurse before I attempt to utilize my APN education. My concern is how will I articulate clearly my reasons for not ever having secured a nursing position of any level, despite completing an Advanced degree in nursing and instead secured work in management. How can I convey this honestly and professionally whilst still sounding appealing?
Seriously Pink? I was nothing but supportive of you and you click "like" to netglows comment about me? Don't post if you don't want opinions then. All I said was I can relate to anxiety and that turns into me projecting my issues on you? You have an NP and can't work. I'm an anxious new grad and manage to drag myself to work. But IM projecting?
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