ENPs or FNPs - prognostications, please!

[Raven Sierra, BSN, RN]

I have applied for a ENP/FNP MSN program (Fall 2021) and was planning to continue to my DNP. I want to practice as a ENP and possibly teach at some point down the road. I also love research. 

But all the talk of over saturation of NPs and whatnot is making me nervous. I don't want to do years of school and not have a job when I graduate. That would be a bummer. So, my question is this: do you see an oversaturation of NPs in the ED in your area? Do you foresee that new ENPs will have trouble getting a job?

I'm open to working in urgent care, but I have also heard that urgent care experience as an NP can mean you don't get hired at main EDs. Thoughts on that?

I realize this is 2+ years away, and the world has changed a lot with COVID. But I guess I'm just worried I'll invest a lot of time, energy, and money and won't get a job at the end....

[MD married to RN]

Hello Raven:

As an EM physician, I am somewhat sympathetic to your apprehension. Yes, the market is saturated.  Upon completion of training, you will be in direct competition with MDs and DOs, as well as an ever increasing number of EM APPs.

"Somewhat sympathetic" because many physicians believe they have invested many thousands of hours more and hundreds of thousands of dollars more into their training (than APPS) to achieve professional competence. That said, I have practiced with many wonderful APPs who practice both intelligently and compassionately. Their is always room for excellent providers.

Below, I have linked several articles peripherally related to your question. Though restrained, the tone of the articles is clear. The attitudes in the comments following the comments are less restrained.

https://bit.ly/3emkfEf

https://bit.ly/3xhm7Xq

https://bit.ly/3el28ib

https://bit.ly/2RVYELp

Beyond these articles, teaching will likely require at least several years of clinical practice to gain professional credibility. Talk to many, many EM providers before you start down this path.

Sincere good luck on your future.

 

[Raven Sierra, BSN, RN]

Hi, MD married to RN,

Thank you for your kind reply. As luck would have it, the same day I received your reply, I received my acceptance to the only school to which I applied (not one of the ones that accept everyone). I still have conflicting feelings.

I'm also interested in teaching in nursing, so perhaps I will examine that further. Thank you, and all the best to you.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I am an RN married to an MD, LOL. But OP, I know lots of NPs who are still working at the bedside and cannot find work. The EDs where I have worked staff more PAs than NPs, and very rarely are NPs in with the critical patients. Definitely research your market, many are indeed saturated. Good luck!