ARNP or Administration?

gwapo · Apr 24, 2012

About to graduate May 5 (FNP program). Quick question: hypothetically speaking, if you had been an RN for 17 years, and now had your FNP degree which of these jobs would you choose? I am torn...well, blessed also! I have an NP job offer for after graduation, and an administrative job offer. I need to choose.
#1) NP job, cardiology, $78K, M-F 8-5, every 4th weekend, phone call, 2 weeks vacation, $1500 CME
#2) Director of a nursing unit (admin job), $85K, M-F 8:30 - 4:30, no weekends, no holidays, keep my current benefits (6 weeks vacation).
I have worked hard through school, I like the NP role, but I also need better flexible "family" hours. The NP job would get my foot into the field. The admin role opens a whole other door, and is more flexible with it's hours.
If you were to look back at yourself starting out, and this opportunity came up which would you choose? Just looking for some advice. So happy to be done with school!!
PS: I live in Florida

If i was in your place, i will take the FNP job. I mean that is why i went to school, to be an fnp. Plus cardiology is my favorite so that seals the deal. I used to work in florida, i went through 4 different managers in 2 years. One was the manager for more than 15 years, she quit and went back to bedside nursing.. Iv heard from a few managers saying it is not the best time to be in management right now... But it is your decision, go wherever it will make you happy. Good luck!

LiLoRN · Apr 25, 2012

Definately the NP job IMO. My friend is an administrator of a hospital nursing unit and guess what she's doing? She's in NP school right along with me. Use the skills and knowledge you worked so hard (and paid!) for.

jenpenslc · Apr 25, 2012

Wow, I don't know if I could pass up more $$$, 3x more time off, and less hours!! I really like both NP and admin, so I might lean toward the benefits, if it was me. However, you have to think about what "job" you would prefer to be doing day in and day out. Would you rather deal with patients or employees? Would you like diagnosing cardiac disease, or budgets? The positions are so different from each other, it really comes down to what your preferences are to the jobs themselves.

MC1906 · Apr 29, 2012

Congrats, congrats, congrats! I would go for the NP job. I would look at the NP job as $79,500 (add in the CME). The NP job does have less vacation time and a little less money. But I think with the Director job, you will have to be "Available" 24/7. I don't know any administrator/director that works "set" hours. Speak to current directors and see if they can provide you with additional insight on working as a director, working at that level in your company, and how is it working for your Senior Admin team...especially the CNO.

The NP experience can lead to more NP jobs and even Admin jobs in the future. The Admin job will not necessarily lead to more NP jobs. You will not be gaining the NP experience, which is becoming competitive to find a job nowadays. I'm sure you'll make the best decision once you have all the information you need.

Where in Florida are you located? What school did you grad from?

CCRNDiva, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2012

First of all, congratulations!!

I would take the NP job. On the surface, the management position may look like less hours, but as another poster mentioned, director positions are rarely 8-5. A unit director is responsible for the unit 24/7. Every concern of the unit will be your concern, from staffing, meeting the budget to dealing with squabbles among staff. I would take the opportunity to secure a position in the field you've worked so hard to enter. The NP position could open more doors for you and lead to more pay and flexibility in practice.

It is up to you and what your career goals are. But in the end, I bet you chose the FNP route over pursuing a masters in administration for a reason. Good luck!

stephanie11 · Jul 12, 2013

That was my question i just posted at this site.. debating whether to continue my dual MBA/Healthcare administration or FNP. I like what "MC1906" said earleir."The NP experience can lead to more NP jobs and even Admin jobs in the future. The Admin job will not necessarily lead to more NP jobs" i think that is so TRUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... NP jobs will leads to NP positions and admins job but admin jobs will not lead to NP jobs.. so y not go for the one that is more secure and u can travel anywhere still working with your NP licence. while in admin job, it is sooooo competitive and cant be easily transferable...I also have make up my decision, NP is what I will go for... as much as i hate the bedside nursing at least, I will have the secure career to fall back on and to get a healthcare administration degree post masters is less than 1 yr online.. so y not go for FNP.

Karolyte · Jul 14, 2016

Bringing this topic up. I am in the same situation and chose director of nursing position. Did not want the opportunity to pass since it may never come back. Just wondering what you decided to do when u were making this decision and are you glad about it.

AAC.271 · Jul 15, 2016

Depending on where you work, administration can be good mobility moving up.

allnurses Guide · Jul 15, 2016

To be honest, you want to negotiate a better deal for the NP job. The money is low, the call is high, and the vacation and CME are low average assuming you also get a week for CME.

JellyDonut · Jul 16, 2016

NP job for sure! Your are 27/7 as a director. Problems, blame and dealing with drama from employees, physicians and admin. No brainer NP for a better life.

Janetabe · Feb 12, 2017

TAKE THE ADMINISTRATION POSITION! Not only do you have better benefits, but you also have better long term potential. You can work towards assistant CNO and CNO. These are very high paying jobs that will far surpass what any practitioner will make. Also, they will churn out more and more practitioners, but management requires a personality to accompany the education. Not just anyone can do it. You got your NSNP to make more money. Let's face it.In the mean time, another door opened. Walk through it.