Does everybody want to be a NP?

Wrench Party · Nov 1, 2015

Uh...I don't, at least, not for now. I like getting to know my patients and treating them, not just their diagnosis. When I've got some solid bedside experience under my belt, I'm going to figure out how to be an educator.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 1, 2015

I know a ton of people who are going for their NP license.

Nearly all are going for their FNP.

My goal is to become an NNP. I don't see NNPs or psych NPs facing a glut. The rest? Absolutely.

I haven't come across too many NPs, but the ones I have met are very down to earth and respectful.

SleeepyRN · Nov 1, 2015

I have worked with many NPs and have never come across that kind of attitude.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Nov 1, 2015

Some nurses are enticed by the increased earnings, less physical role, and normal work hours that are commonly linked to midlevel provider positions.
However, I suspect a few of the people who jumped onto the NP bandwagon were not mentally prepared for the provider role. The mindset of the provider lays in stark contrast to that of the floor nurse, and I think some NPs who aren't working in that role were perhaps unprepared or unwilling to make the transition.

Especially those who go the direct route, and never actually work as an RN.

In my area, it is near impossible to get a position as an NP. There are many, many applicants, and very few positions.

SleeepyRN · Nov 1, 2015

I had a bizarre opposite experience once.

I grew up with my mom, an RN, having worked for a doctor in an office since I was a little kid. He has a large family of brothers and their wives, and they are all doctors. His own wife is a doctor too. They are all in different specialties, and they were all my doctors. Basically I grew up with them, and they are like family. Except when it comes to money.

One day I was in my OB clinical rotation when the doctor who was doing a few circumcisions that day happened to be my mom's boss's wife (and my gynecologist.)

So I'm observing the circumcision, and she asks me why I'm pursuing my RN. Why not stop at LPN. She said she pays her LPNs the same anyway.

I was just completely shocked that she asked me such a question. I could have asked her why did she continue her education and specialize. Then ask her why she went even further and became a surgeon.

Fast forward 3 years, and I'm working as an RN for her husband for $14 an hour. Their entire family pays PITIFUL wages. I literally made more as a patient care tech than an RN in his office. But I had no other options at the time. Competition for jobs is fierce around here.

I later was hired at another office, same specialty, making $24 an hour.

So that puts into perspective why she asked why I would go for my RN. Not because she pays her LPNs the wage of an RN, but because she and the rest of her family pays RNs less than or equal to patient care techs, MAs....

I had to fight for that $14 an hour too. He wanted to pay me something like 11 or 12 an hour.

maccheese · Nov 1, 2015

I'm not interested in NP because it seems everyone is doing it. Maybe later on down the road I'll go for a post master's on DNP. As of now, I'm going to go the CNS and Informatics route.

TheNGTKingRN · Nov 1, 2015

I love being able to communicate with my trauma/gensurg NPs. They get the whole picture a lot better than the interns/1st year residents. I'll usually contact them if a resident is not cooperating or giving me the orders I need before I go to their attending.

featherzRN, MSN · Nov 1, 2015

I went in to HIM - the only patient contact I have is with their chart. :) Zero desire to be an NP. :)

allnurses Guide · Nov 1, 2015

This thread is an interesting read with everyone's individual opinions: there is truth in some and there is quite a bit of misinformation being rehashed as well.

In my opinion there is only one reason to be an NP: because you want to be in the provider role. I feel like a minority of students truly want that, the ones that do are motivated, self-directed, seek quality programs, and immerse themselves. When students have the "grass-is-greener" desire they often look for the easiest program with the least work and least cost and don't self-direct their learning. When students have the "prideful" approach they often can't pass the clinical portion of the program, or at least of a quality program.

The barrier for entry is low and it needs to change; the non-quality programs need to go away. The way to make that happen is for current NPs to refuse to precept students from non-quality programs and this has already started (hopefully). I do find it very curious to see people taking about increasing the barrier to entry for NP programs that also argue to continue diploma and associate entry into RN-nursing.

The truth of the matter is that right now there are 2.8 million working RNs and 170k working NPs; not everyone is an NP! There is absolutely a need to increase the number of PCP-NPs to fill gaps in current primary care environment. It allso bolsters independent practice argument; I think once that need is met, things will start clamping down.

allnurses Guide · Nov 1, 2015

Oh, and all nurses and nurse assistants (every level) should stop using the term "mid-level"!

Nursetk4 · Nov 1, 2015

Thank you for your post. You said exactly how I feel. I graduated over a year ago and have been practicing for almost 8 months. I love the provider role. I have worked really hard and sacrificed even more to be here. It was not easy to get into FNP program I attended and I had some of the toughest but best instructors. I also spent 1000s of hours studying. The NP role isn't for everyone. I agree that non quality programs need to be shut down.

Lastly, how about being called health care providers or better yet Nurse Practitioner.

Cola89 · Nov 1, 2015

I have worked with many NPs and have never come across that kind of attitude.

Maybe it's where I am. The hospital I work at is owned by the "biggest, best , most progressive" company in the area and in the suburbs. From what I've heard by chit chatting with my fellow floor nurses, there's a decent of suburban kids whose parents paid for their undergrad degree. Maybe some of those people wonder why everyone isn't pursuing the NP? Must be that we're dumb? Or lack commitment? Could it possibly be that we don't have the (*gasp*) $$$?!