Can I be a NP and still have a good family life?

[aobrien728]

I have always wanted to be a nurse practitioner. I've set my sights on the medical field and have dedicated many summers to pursuing this path. But I'm afraid if this is the path I take I won't get the family life i have always dreamed of. I have always dreamed of one day having a family of my own and being able to spend a lot of time with them, and now i'm afraid the rigor of being nurse practitioner won't allow me to do that! Can any nurse practitioners or registered nurses out there tell me what their family life is like? are you able to successfully have a family and be devoted to them while also being able to do your job? what are your schedules like? do the busy schedules allow for it?

thanks in advance for the help! I really wish I could have the best of both worlds but I know realistically it will be hard

[shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP]

It depends on the NP job. You can also work part-time if you want. You should probably look at primary care or skilled nursing facility positions. Many of these jobs have no overtime or on call and are M-F. That said, being a nurse practitioner is a profession. It is very difficult to complete your BSN, then your MSN. Once you are an NP, you will also need to stay up to date in your field. You can certainly have a good work/life balance, but it is not easy and I wouldn't advise this for someone unless they are very dedicated. One of my preceptors worked 32 hours per week at an urgent care clinic, doing 2 10-hour days and one 10-hour day. She did this in order to spend more time with her kids, while still being a full-time employee. If you work part-time, you won't get benefits.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I work Mon-Thurs, 6a-4p. Sometimes I get home late but usually not. I may move to 3 x 12hr shifts later in the year. I have a husband and a 2yo and have a 3-day weekend every week so I'd say being an NP fits in well!