Can NPs do bedside nursing?

[Mrs. Sparkle Pants]

I'm just curious, could an NP also work as an RN? I know they are liscensed as an RN, but there have been lots of threads lately about RNs or LPNs wanting to know if they can practice as CNAs, and the general consensus has been no. I realize this is difference, but if an NP wanted to work PRN as an RN would they be able to do that?

[Guest717236]

Many of the NPs I know started in bedside nursing or outpatient services

so I do not see why not. The would work within the scope of practice

for the bedside nursing but not the added NP functions is my guess but

I will defer to the NPs here to let us know..

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

I work with a np, she some how got "burned" and came back to Icu nursing. She does prn np work at an office. She does Not use the np in the Icu.

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

Yes, I have many friends who staff at the bedside pen. If really curious, check the practice act of the specific state you are curious about.

[AnaCatRN]

I agree with checking your nurse practice act. I have worked with many NPs who take prn shifts at the bedside, so I'm pretty sure there's noting wrong with that, as long as while the NP is at the bedside the RN scope of practice is followed. However, the NPs I worked with were staff NPs at that teaching hospital, so that may be different than if the NP weren't on staff AS NPs.

[CCL RN, RN]

Yep. I've worked with several NPs who work PRN in the ICU.

[Mike A. Fungin RN]

We have an NP and a CNS who work as bedside nurses in our ICU, because they can make more money at the bedside than in advanced practice roles.

[Catch22Personified]

We have an NP and a CNS who work as bedside nurses in our ICU, because they can make more money at the bedside than in advanced practice roles.

Is this the reality of the nursing profession? Hearing that alone does not make me want to pursue higher education and flat out wants me to change careers.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I worked in the ED with a nurse whose full-time job was as an NP, but he took PRN shifts in the ED.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Is this the reality of the nursing profession? Hearing that alone does not make me want to pursue higher education and flat out wants me to change careers.

Yup, I'd say there are quickly too many NPs for independent roles as an NP. Most I've known work a lot of clinic or bedside too. I've asked them directly and they say they still really are regular RNs for the source of a lot of their income. I was thinking about who all I've asked, and I think it's about 6. But, having said that I have seen advertisements for hospitalist group NPs as of late.

[ACute RN]

I worked with a NP that worked prn as a RN on a cardiac unit while she was working on her DNP and teaching for a local community college. She did practice within the RN scope only but her assessment skills were out of this world!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Generally speaking:

RNs can work as NAs.

NPs can work as RNs.

Individual facilities may have policies, however, and there may be some states that don't allow it.

I work with several RNs who are also NPs and/or CNMs.