beside nursing vs NP

[PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm 2 months into my first RN job on a medical-oncology floor, which is a horrendously crazy floor. I hate it, but I'm only pushing through because I think this is the best experience I could take into NP school.

I feel like we're expected to do everyone else's job, plus our own, and most days I feel like an over-educated hotel attendant or waitress. At this point, it's not a matter of "if" I'll go to graduate school, it's a matter of "when," because beside nursing is NOT something I want to do for the rest of my life. Today I was scolded by one of the transport staff because I didn't have my patients up and in a wheelchair ready to be taken for their US, Xray, etc. even though I was clearly rushing to pass medications on time, which bothered me probably more than it should have.

To those who are currently studying / working as a NP, specifically a FNP, how does the role compare to beside nursing? One of the reasons I want to study FNP is because I can maintain autonomy and get away from the "hustle and bustle" of an acute setting without a pay-cut (it's not that I'm all about the paycheck, but more money isn't a bad thing either).

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Not sure if you want my input being that I'm an ACNP but I can't help but make a comment here. What you described is not how bedside nursing is practiced everywhere. I would NEVER witness a transporter "scolding" a nurse for not having a patient ready for a radiology trip because the nurse was busy getting meds passed in the ICU I am an NP in. Early in my career as a nurse, I did have bad experiences in Med-Surg units and felt rushed and undervalued but I moved on to better units specifically ER and ICU where I felt more respected as a nurse. I never hated bedside nursing since and the hospital setting for that matter. I went ahead and started graduate school because of a drive to learn and be able to practice at an advanced level.

[linzlace, BSN, RN]

Yep! I agree! Maybe try a diff unit. However, the first six months at any new nursing job, especially as a new grad, will be very hectic. It's a lot of learning time management and trying to keep your head above water, if you know what I mean! It will get better...I promise! After a year, you will be surprised at how much better you feel and how much you've learned. I would give it six months and if you still hate it, try moving to ICU or ER...that's where it's at! :)