Am I making a mistake going for my NP???

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Well I am in my first year of NP program and wondering if I'm making a mistake.

I'm a RN with 22 years experience - mostly ED and critical care, have seen and done

a lot. My current position is a a nursing supervisor on weekends (took this job because

of NP school), and I actually really like it. Been at this facility for about a year and a half.

I'm a great bedside nurse and a very good supervisor - mostly because I've got lots of

experience and I really enjoy mentoring and helping the staff. I'm the supervisor who

answers the call light, helps your patient to the bathroom, and is there to walk your through

your first chest tube insertion - with the grumpy surgeon. As a result the majority of the staff think I'm the best thing since sliced bread.

So this is my dilemma - perhaps I should be getting a MSN in administration rather than the NP.

It seems like I should play to my strengths which are bedside nursing and the mentoring of staff.

Rather than start over from scratch as a NP.

Thoughts? :confused:

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Perhaps you should take some more time (put your graduate studies on hold for the time being) to clarify your professional goals ... I don't see any point in putting the time, effort, and $$$ into getting a graduate degree if you're not sure it's what you want.

Nursing certainly could use more good managers/administators!!!

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Agreed. Being an NP is obviously not the only way to advance in the profession, and if you are loving what you do as you described - why not pursue it?

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

It's so funny I took the supervisor job because it was a means to an end - and provided steady weekend money. I never would have thought that I would be ever be considering staying in administration.

Because of recent money issues I applied for a manager position - have had one interview and now have been invited back for more. So if I get this job and decide to accept then I really need to rethink the whole focus of my graduate school.

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Best wishes for your journey!

I've always said that a good nursing manager or supervisor is a thing of beauty and a joy forever :) -- there are far too few in nursing now; if that's your strength and interest, good for you (and lucky for your co-workers)!

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I would say if this is something that you could see yourself doing long-term, then I would totally go for the administration track. NP school is a lot of work, not to mention many clinical hours. I wouldn't do NP if you aren't completely sure that that's what you really want to do. But right now I wouldn't limit yourself either. Maybe there are a few NPs you would be able to shadow. That way you could at least be exposed to what a typical day is like for them and in the end make a more educated decision about whether or not to go through the NP track. Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

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Good managers are few and far between and it sounds like you are one of them. Consider that NP's also get into managerial roles.

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