Career journey and marketability

[barleyandhops]

Hi all,

Here's my brief story. I have approximately 5 years of ICU experience in large academic centers in the Northeast. I recently obtained a Masters from a brick and mortar well regarded school in the same region (CNL program) to broaden my career choices. I (at least thought) was ready for a change from the bedside. I was offered a surprise opportunity as an assistant manager position with a recent progression/promotion to a manager position of two critical care units. All of the sudden I'm wearing business casual to work and being asked to review budgets, patient satisfaction and quality metrics. Long story short, I greatly miss being a full on clinician. I miss the science, critical thinking, and intensity of the bedside in the ICU. Deep down I think I need to go back to the ICU and work for a few years, and likely obtain an Acute Care NP degree. I'm just a bit worried and hesitant for a few reasons. One is marketability. I plan on moving to the Pittsburgh area in 1.5 years, so that is likely when my career change will occur. That will be over 1.5 years away from the bedside (assistant role still had a lot of patient contact). Will I be marketable with that gap away from the bedside? Am I making a mistake by likely taking a pay cut, especially with thoughts of going back to school (again) for an ACNP DNP program? Am I throwing away the opportunity handed to me in this leadership/administration path by changing to a more clinical route? Is the ACNP route well established in Pittsburgh (Pitt has a great program)? Wondering if anybody has similar experience or could provide some insight. Feel free to move this to a more appropriate thread (though I'd like some ACNP's to chime in). Thanks!

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Sorry, no one responded yet. Yes, Pitt has an AGACNP program and we actually have a guide here on AN who attended that program and works in the ICU as an NP in the area. She would know what the market there is like. I'm an Adult ACNP working in the ICU on the West Coast. There are jobs for ACNP's but in some markets, the key is getting that interview so that you can sell yourself and your skills. Once your foot is in the door and you have experience behind you, you'll find that it's so much easier to find jobs in your field. Having been an ICU nurse for many years but being in management recently would not necessarily hurt your chances in my opinion if you attend a reputable AGACNP program.

[barleyandhops]

Sorry, no one responded yet. Yes, Pitt has an AGACNP program and we actually have a guide here on AN who attended that program and works in the ICU as an NP in the area. She would know what the market there is like. I'm an Adult ACNP working in the ICU on the West Coast. There are jobs for ACNP's but in some markets, the key is getting that interview so that you can sell yourself and your skills. Once your foot is in the door and you have experience behind you, you'll find that it's so much easier to find jobs in your field. Having been an ICU nurse for many years but being in management recently would not necessarily hurt your chances in my opinion if you attend a reputable AGACNP program.

Thanks for the advice. I do have experience in cardiothoracic and medical ICUs. I would plan on going back to work in that area and then continue working while in school as long as possible. Hoping my leadership experience acts as a positive rather than a negative since it's a pause from bedside. How much is the going rate for Acute Care NPs in western PA if anyone knows (not that my motivation is financial, just curious)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm seeing UPMC openings for ACNP's quoting a salary range of $40-60 per hour. You have to consider cost of living in that overall equation as you must already know.