Conflicted About Quitting New Job

[FamNP123]

I am looking for guidance/advice on my new job. I am a newer grad family NP, graduated 9/2021 and then did a year long primary care residency at the VA that concluded 7/2023. I had to move after the residency so I took a job in family med. small, private clinic owned by an MD with two other midlevels.

I kind of was pressed for time getting a job due to relocation, but the clinic seemed very tight knit and laid back, and I really like the owner of the clinic. However, the job has many negatives. I got no orientation, was seeing 11 patients the first day (they were all fairly easy though, sports physicians and well child's), and within 2 weeks was seeing full schedule of 22/day.

Three months in and I'm still very anxious, overwhelmed and filled with self doubt daily. I feel I don't have mental energy for anything but the gym occasionally after work. I am very conflicted on staying here.

I do like some aspects about the job, and I do enjoy most of my patients. But part of me thinks I'm just not cut out for it... I'm constantly worrying I'm making the wrong decision plus trying to keep up on charting, labs, messages, inbox, prior auths. I can go to the MD with any questions but I'm always so busy I can't always find the time to.

I feel I don't have time to tend to my hobbies. The PTO is only three weeks and I have to use most of it just to see my family as I'm 13 hours from them. My husband is in med school and I feel like I can't fully be there for him. We want to have kids but I can't imagine being pregnant and having a baby with all this stress.

I'm afraid if I go to bedside I'd ruin being able to go somewhere else. I also have no time to interview either. I also REALLY miss working three days/week. I feel the weekends are barely enough for me to recoup and refresh.

I know this is long winded but I'm looking for any advice or insight. Part of me says just make it a year and then leave, and it will open up other doors. But some days, I don't think I can do it. The market here is kinda tight for NPs, I'm in a small big city. 

[JKL33]

First year can be ROUGH. It will get better.

If you like other aspects of the job consider asking for some sort of concessions while you continue to get your feet under you. Tweaks to your scheduling/time slots, capping at 20 pts, reviewing whether there are things you are spending your time on that could be fielded or completed by office staff, etc. Also, are you working 5 days a week? If so that is brutal.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

If you don't already have a housekeeper, consider getting one. One less thing to worry about.

[londonflo]

Quote

My husband is in med school and I feel like I can't fully be there for him. We want to have kids but I can't imagine being pregnant and having a baby with all this stress. 

move to where your husband is even if it is a bedside position. Wouldn't this be the best time of your life...newly married, together, working toward one goal?

[FNPRCPR, BSN, MSN, NP]

I would speak to your boss about adjusting your schedule for the next three months even if it means decreasing your salary (ex. work 3 days per week seeing 11 pts per day and then SLOWLY ramp upwards such as adding an addtl pt per week) and if that is not on the table I would consider looking for telemed jobs (if you must work) if your classmates or professional networks can't help. 

The point of working is to help patients while meeting your goals. If it is one-sided or no-sided, it doesn't sound like a good or viable deal, and your body may be telling you that this is not a good setup.

My first NP job was in GI and it was intimidating. I stayed for 18 months (completed a fellowship, became pregnant after trying with my first child and only a few weeks maternity leave) and I regretted it. I adored most of my colleagues and learned so much but the cost was something that I should not have paid for now knowing my vision and goals in life. find out your vision and goals and what is the exact cost (incl how long) you are willing to pay before making any decisions. Sometimes resetting expectations with this articulated plan may make the work not seem so bad or make apparent that your current path is a dead-end.  I wish you and yours luck!