AGACNP vs Nurse Executive Leadership/Administration

[crownsk]

A little background: I was a LPN for an internal medicine clinic for 3.5 years. I am now a RN at a neuro/spine unit (1 year) while still working at the clinic PRN.

I love bedside nursing and neuro/spine but am not satisfied with the pay and I currently feel that I’m “stuck” and have a “is this it?” mentality.

I’m considering both the AGACNP route and the Nurse Executive Leadership/Administration route and am not sure which to take. I’ve heard some nurses who’ve completed their MSN AGACNP and are unable to find jobs so that is why I am considering the Nurse Leadership/Admin route, but don’t know much about those who have gotten this, availability of finding a job, or what type of jobs they do.

Any insight on either paths or advice/suggestions from those who’ve gone through what I am feeling are greatly appreciated!

[Uroboros, APRN]

First I applaud your efforts for personal and professional endeavors beyond the bedside. Nursing offers more room for growth in these areas than most careers. Of course it comes down to the individual, and a short read across social platforms like these gives a clear illustration of the huge number of nurses who feel unsatisfied, burned out, unfulfilled, or stuck as you say.

My best advice is do your homework. Where do you want to live and practice? What is that job market like? Where do you envision your career in 5 year increments? Physician training upstages APRN training in many areas, most of all I would say "being in the business of yourself".

Have a business plan for yourself. View yourself and your career as just that, a business. Closely examine the state you want to work in along with the respective BNE. Many states also list the types of APRN in each county, and when compared with current jobs in those areas give you something quantifiable.

I have three post masters certs. One of them is an ACNPC-AG, comparative to your AGACNP mention, which is simply a rearrangement of the word soup that encompasses the APRN world. That cert has honestly afforded me the most job opportunities of the three. I also have an MBA and held various admin positions before settling back into practice, just in time for crisis COVID.

Like you, I've heard my entire 25 year career how hard jobs would be to find based on personal experiences. The most unreliable form of knowledge is experiential, because it's personal, emotional, too often diametric, and that's mostly what you will find here. Happy to help you with any business specifics, freely PM me. Best wishes.

[Yellownurse15, MSN, RN]

I was torn between going back to school for FNP vs Leadership and Management. I ultimately chose Leadership. I've been a nurse 3 years, most of that in outpatient care. Initially I wanted to become a provider, but after working in primary care and working closely with FNP's, I decided I didn't want that responsibility. Also, majority of my jobs had terrible leadership, so I was drawn to wanting to be in a position to make positive changes in leadership. I think it boils down to what your interests are and what you see yourself doing, like the other poster said. I worked in very busy clinics and I could not see myself being responsible for seeing so many patients day in and day out, prescription refills, tons of charting, etc. I know each clinic/setting is different but I can see myself more on the administrative side of things. Good luck in whatever you decide!