Flexibility as an NP

[daz0310]

I've been accepted into a dual (FNP/Acute) Nurse Practitioner program due to start in less than a month and I am having a bit of panic about how my life and job satisfaction will change. I am currently an ICU R.N. and love the flexible scheduling, 12 hour shifts, and vast employment opportunities (especially in hospital settings as that is my preference). I'm starting to wonder now if most NP opportunities are more rigidly scheduled (day shifts, 8-10 hours) and if I will be in for quite a change without a substantial rise in pay? I've also had a really hard time gathering info as HR at my hospital informed me today that they do not directly hire NPs (an independent company does so) and they were unable to give me any details on scheduling or starting pay. And, I don't really want to rely on the figures found on indeed and salary as they are usually off by a bit. So, fellow, nurses, I turn to you.

Do NPs still have the option for 12 hour shifts? A good rise in pay? Lots of opportunities?

I would love to hear from nurses who have chosen an NP path or work with NPs and can offer some insight. Thanks to all in advance for your input.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Let me move this to the NP forum - there are several threads on this subject.

[carachel2]

I think it all depends on which work environment you choose. I have lots of acute NP friends who work 12 hour shifts in the ER. I work in a family practice office and jobs there are typically 8-5 etc. BUT I know a lot of people working part-time.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

You can still find 12-hour shifts for NP's. I happen to work as a critical care NP trained as an ACNP (have done so since 2005) and have only worked three 12-hour shifts a week since I started in this field. I've always been employed by the hospital I worked for, have full hospital-sponsored benefits, pension plan, 403B, overtime pay, differential pay, holiday pay, and in this current job, collective bargaining as a member of the nursing union. 12-hour shifts is not for everyone but in the same vein, there are people like us who would not be happy doing the 9-5, Mon-Fri routine. My co-workers are younger (oldest is 42), half are single, half are married (half of which have no kids). We live in an area where your string of 4-7 days off could lead you on a road trip to Napa or Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, or even Yosemite so we do love having those long days off.

[SandBetweenMyToes, BSN, RN]

I work full-time, 37.5 hrs divided into 4 shifts ( I think it comes to 9.375 hrs per day...) as a palliative care NP consultant, and I absolutely love it. I love having an extra day off each week. I also used to love working 3 twelves when I worked as an RN in an ICU. I am very appreciative of personal autonomy and flexibility. It's out there if you can find it. Best of luck!