Nurse practitioner lives?

[taylordawn]

I'm getting ready to finish up my nursing BSN and am at a crossroads. I can't decide whether or not I want to go back to school in a couple of years to be an NP or stay an RN. Something that I consider when thinking about this is my life OUTSIDE of my job. In a few years I want to start a family and am worried that one profession or the other will allow me a lot more time to spend with my family.

From your experience, what profession offers more "free time" (I know, ALL careers are busy!) but looking back on it, which profession offers you the best "home life" benefits?

I just want to be able to spend time with my family and do wifely/mommy duties without having to completely quit my job!

Thanks everyone in advance :)

-Taylor

[GregoryGeczi]

A lot of nurses I know work 3 days a week, 12 hrs a day and usually stay later. However, they have a good family life because of all the off time in between.

[Candimk2]

I can't speak to being a NP (although I start school in June) but as far as nursing it's a GREAT schedule. I LOVE working 3 days a week & having 4 days off. Also, since I work prn I 100% get to make my own schedule. Right now I work around my daughter's cheerleading games so that I can make sure to go to as many as possible & I love that. Of course if I were a NP I would also be able to make it to her games I suppose, since they're in the evening...Anyhoo, to me nursing is a great career to have when you need flexibility, which is one of the things I completely love about it. I do agree with the poster above though about getting your NP degree before you have children, but then again with online programs I suppose you could do that with children too. Ok, obviously I'm not helping much, lol. I guess the poster above said it right when they said it really just comes down to what you want to be, a nurse, or a nurse practitioner. Sorry I didn't really help much! lol

[Goatie]

I work 8:30 - 5 two to three days per week. All of the ancillary staff fly out the door at 5 but I still have piles of charts, labs, refills, etc. I work through lunch (take maybe 15-20 minutes) and then at least an hour after the last patient leaves. BUT..I'm off a few days a week so it makes up for the longer days.

OMG, I remember a job where there was no end. Just because the time has ended seeing pts face to face, you have to deal with all the tasks as stated above, plus doing admin emails, calling families/snf staff, etc. Not to mention being on-call at night and weekends, on a rotation basis with the other NPs/MDs. And it is true: I used to do charts during the time when most people are asleep. I even worked during vacation, and I looked really pathetic doing charts by the hotel pool.

Just like any job, there are pros and cons. Being per a diem or part-time NP is the best position you could be when there are big family commitments such as children or ill/elderly parents. If you could find a full-time job yet can have manageable work-life balance, then more power to you. Goodluck.