Don't you want to be an NP?

Nursing Students General Students

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I was accepted into nursing school the end of April, and since then I have been getting that question from many family and friends. When I tell them that I don't have plans to become an NP they seem so surprised. They say things like, "but you are too smart to just be an RN" or "you could make so much more money". Then they go on to give me an example of so and so who they know who is an NP.

Although I try to be patient with them, I am getting a little tired of that question. I know I am smart, that is why I want to be an RN. I definitely do not think of it as settling. Honestly, it seems like there are so many new NPs anyways that it would probably be more difficult to find a job than as an RN.

I am not just going to be an RN. I am going to be an RN! Anyone else have this experience? Do your loved ones think RN isn't good enough?

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well if you are determined enough to be a NP or have the fiances to pay for it why not? But if your reason on not being a NP, is because you don't have that desire than don't do it. But there are more RN's than there are NP's many people don't go for higher degrees, but you should definitely research both of the career paths; so you can get a better idea about it. ;)

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I don't want to be an NP in the near future either. It's a different setting than I want to get into. I would rather do nursing for nursing right now. Maybe down the line get into infection control and then into a family setting as a NP.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

It's just the general public's lack of understanding what nursing is. We are not considered professionals, nor to have a scientific base to our work.

Just smile and tell people "thank you for the compliment on my intelligence" and "if you were sick, wouldn't you want a smart nurse?"

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The general public doesn't know much about nursing. They think that NP is the only way for a nurse to advance in her career as she gets more experience and education. They are wrong. There are LOTS of options out there -- including being a bedside staff nurse.

I can understand why you are getting sick of their comments. Just smile and say something neutral - such as, "At this point, I am keeping all my options open as I learn all about nursing and the many different options it has to offer."

Regretably, there are many students in your position who latch onto that NP role and think that there is nothing else worth working towards. They say "I am going to be an NP" the whole way through nursing school and through their first year or two on the job -- and focus on nothing else. SOME of them actually become NP's and are happy with their decision. SOME of them go to school for NP and either drop out, become NP's and hate it, or end up doing some other kind of nursing work for which the NP education did not prepare them.

If becoming an NP ever feels right for you -- fine -- I'm not putting that role down. But it is NOT the right role for the majority of nurses. So keep your options open and don't let other folks who don't know what they are talking about get you down.

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

What ive noticed is everyone wants to be a CRNA. Nothing against people, but most of the people who want to be a CRNA at my school are C students, and the programs are very competitive. However, I plan to go for FNP.

If people ask, just say your considering all the routes, ultimately if your happy being a nurse, why change it? Money is nice but if you don't like what your doing then why change?

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It's funny really, i think people always do that in every job. I want to get my DNP, i ALWAYS get "Why don't you just go to med school then?"

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

One of my relatives told me RN's get **** pay but thats not true at all. If you think of the base pay plus over-time and weekends and holidays its pretty good for just having a 4-year degree.

But yeah, I've been thinking of becoming a family nurse practitioner as well but I also want to keep my options open. There are so much you can do with a nursing degree and if they don't know/can't appreciate that then let it pass you by.

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Specializes in Cardiac, CVICU.

My career goal is to finish nursing school and complete my DNP. Everyone asks me why I'm even bothering with nursing when I could go to medical school! I always explain that I love nursing and it gives me a base to expand into whatever career in the healthcare field that I want.

Nursing has so many different niches and jobs that it becomes almost overwhelming. Other careers are flat and streamlined, so most people don't understand the complexities of the nursing field. Nursing is a completely different niche than -say- medicine or advance nursing practice. The fact that nursing even has graduate degrees (MSN and a PhD) of its own makes that clear.

I think that you should explain that nursing is where you want to be and has so many different certifications and career goals. It would take a lifetime to explore the different niches in the nursing field alone.

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That happens to me as well, but instead I get the "why not just become a doctor instead?"

I'm like because I dont want to go to school for 10+ years?!!

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I am getting the same thing since I will be graduating in December with my ADN.. I am going back for my bsn but I have no desire to a NP either.. I want to be in critical care or trauma certified nurse..

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My dad subtly hints at wanting me to become a doctor sometimes. I know he would support me in whatever I do, but yeah, pressure like that is annoying, even when it's not intense.

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