Few questions regarding job availability as a NP

Riburn3, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 23, 2014

Your question is vague because it doesn't really ask specifics about a region of the country or even specialties. Vague answer, no it isn't too hard to find a job.

More specifically, if you are in a competitive market place, it might be much harder. Specialty also matters. Maybe Miami is flooded with FNP's, but they are dying for Psych NP's. Where I live in Texas, jobs of all specialties are readily available, and Texas pays their NP's well.

Best thing to do would be to research your specific area you live in or plan to live in.

ishotthepilot97 · Mar 24, 2014

Thank you for the reply. You're right, looking back my question is pretty vague. I live in Texas so that's good to hear. I guess my primary concern was that I heard that NP's go through their training and then often just end up working the same jobs as RN's. Is there any validity to that? (In Texas)

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 24, 2014

There are nurses who obtained a graduate degree to become NP's and are still working at the bedside as staff RN's and not as NP's. This is a personal choice. I don't know about Texas but in my area of California, it is not unheard of. For one, we have many direct-entry NP programs here and some graduates of those programs settle into the bedside RN role for a while before applying to NP positions later.

Some, who just finished their NP program prefer to wait for the ideal NP position so they stay in their current staff RN positions until the NP position they want comes along. RN's can make a great deal of salary here in my area and the mandated staffing ratios (followed by most, not all hospitals) makes bedside work desirable.

On the other hand, if a nurse wants to be in a nurse practitioner role, there are jobs to be had. It can be a question of specific job market supply and demand but in many cases, NP's could find a job in the current employment climate. There are predictions of oversupply in the future as many schools have opened up and the role gets more public attention and interest (US News listed NP as the #2 best health career of 2014). The competition with PA's also play a role in some job markets. You need to do your own research to see if this a role that will work out for you.

carachel2 · Mar 25, 2014

I'm in Texas and have been an FNP for four years. As an RN, I worked in ER, CCU and rehab. I clocked in for the day, listened to report, checked charts for new orders, passed meds, did wound care, prepped patients for cath lab, etc., ambulated patients, responded to monitors, bathed patients --->rinse and repeat over the next 12 hours.

As an NP I come in to work @ 0830- 9 a.m., review the labs that *I* ordered; review the scans that *I* ordered and then start seeing patients. I listen to the chief complaint, do a review of systems, an assessment and together the patient and I come up with a plan that usually includes me ordering the tests *I* deem appropriate or prescribing the medications *I* choose and arranging for follow-up. I'm done at 5-6 pm.

I do NONE of the same "duties" that I did as an RN.

BritFNP · Mar 31, 2014

Your question is vague because it doesn't really ask specifics about a region of the country or even specialties. Vague answer, no it isn't too hard to find a job.
More specifically, if you are in a competitive market place, it might be much harder. Specialty also matters. Maybe Miami is flooded with FNP's, but they are dying for Psych NP's. Where I live in Texas, jobs of all specialties are readily available, and Texas pays their NP's well.
Best thing to do would be to research your specific area you live in or plan to live in.

Except Austin, Tx! :)

ishotthepilot97 · Apr 3, 2014

Thank you for the replies! Appreciate the information!