FNP hours

allnurses Guide · May 20, 2010

I work in a 100% outpatient clinic and I work 4 ten hour shifts- 3 days 8-6 and 1 day 10-8. The days are long, but I always know what my schedule will be, and I love having that 1 full day off per week. I don't have to be on-call or work major holidays. I'm thinking ahead to my next job, and I'm considering looking into a college health center position. I'd love to have my summers off and would be willing to sacrifice pay for lifestyle. I see plenty of job openings for part time FNPs, so you should be able to find something if that's what you want to do when you have kids.

I think a CRNA position might not be as predictable, depending on where you work. You could end up being on call, and could get stuck in the OR if things get behind. I have a friend who is a CRNA in a community hospital, and she gets called in on weekends and has been stuck in the OR til all hours. The hours might be a little more regular if you worked in an outpatient surgical center.

Best of luck to you in your career, whichever track you choose.

misha12 · May 20, 2010

Thank you very much for your input!

pedspnp · May 20, 2010

I am a PNP i work 8:30 to 5 pm m-f no weekends no holiday, I usually am out of the office by 4:30 and rarely stay later than 5pm. I am getting ready to approach management to see if I can do late clinic once a month and get a extra day off during the week all the other providers have that option.

carachel2 · May 20, 2010

I am an FNP and I work 9-5:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays and then Thursday afternoons from 1-5. I am home the other two days per week. Ideally I would rather work mornings or at least just two afternoons a week but this is a new job for me and I will trim that when I can.

I was offered about 3 part-time jobs when I graduated. One of them told me I could create my own hours and were ok to the option of working 9-2 four days per week. That would have been perfect except there was a longer commute (45 minutes) AND I have to be honest and tell you that working and then dashing out to get your kids at school is just a hard thing to do. Something will suffer and you will always feel like you are leaving something undone. I've worked in a job that allowed me to work 9-2:30 before and it was insane running out the door with unanswered phone calls and patient issues.

My husband and I have arranged it so he is home with our child in the afternoon two days a week and she goes home with a friend that third day. I MUCH prefer working two long full days as opposed to the shorter days.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · May 20, 2010

I am a FNP that works in pre-admissions testing in a hospital. When I do full-time hours I work 7am - 3:30 PM. No weekends or holidays.

misha12 · May 20, 2010

Thank you all! I just get worried when I read stories of "yes you can work in a clinic, but your hours slowly grow later and later". It's good to see it doesn't have to be that way!

Carachel - thanks for pointing out that it can be even more hectic running from work to school activities, etc, and make life even more stressful! I would never have thought of that on my own so thank you very much for the enlightenment!!

Spacklehead - what do you do in pre-admissions testing?? Is it a lot of paperwork and lab interpretations and H&P??

carachel2 · May 21, 2010

Thank you all! I just get worried when I read stories of "yes you can work in a clinic, but your hours slowly grow later and later". It's good to see it doesn't have to be that way!
Carachel - thanks for pointing out that it can be even more hectic running from work to school activities, etc, and make life even more stressful! I would never have thought of that on my own so thank you very much for the enlightenment!!
Spacklehead - what do you do in pre-admissions testing?? Is it a lot of paperwork and lab interpretations and H&P??

It is hard enough dealing with ongoing patient issues, labs, follow-ups without keeping an eye on the clock and knowing your kids will be waiting outside the school for you. MUCH better to have plans for them and work a few longer days.

allnurses Guide · May 21, 2010

I also need to add that I probably put in anywhere from 10-15 additional hours per week at home doing patient charts. Not the ideal situation, but I'm already at work for 10 hours a day and I don't want to stay any longer to finish charts. Fortunately, I can access our EMR system at home, which gives me additional flexibility. Unfortunately, I'm salaried and only get paid for the 40 hours I'm actually in clinic. Work time above and beyond seeing patients needs to be taken into consideration when looking for a job.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · May 21, 2010

Spacklehead - what do you do in pre-admissions testing?? Is it a lot of paperwork and lab interpretations and H&P??

I technically work for the anesthesia group and do H&Ps on all the patients scheduled for out-patient surgery (plus some patients who will stay overnight for a few days like joint replacements). We also determine which labs to order per pt. PMHx; and also order CXRs and EKGs if we deem them necessary. The paperwork isn't bad at all - it's just one form that is mostly check-boxes. However, if we get a pt who will stay overnight after surgery, we need to do the H&P on the computer which takes longer. We have far fewer of those types of pts, though. We also order some meds/tests for the day of surgery if need be.

The frustrating part is if we get an abnormal EKG - trying to hunt down a previous one for comparison or getting consults from specialists can take up a lot of time - but the RNs who work with me are great at trying to do that for me. Also, the RNs review the labs/X-rays/EKGs and will flag them if there are any abnormals for my review - that helps.

I actually really enjoy my job because most of the patients are very pleasant and I can usually go home without worrying about things (since if anything is truly abnormal, the pt. gets referred back to their PCP). I love the hours and the pay is very competetive. I honestly can't complain!

Sheri FNP-C · May 26, 2010

I am a newer NP. My first job was in primary care. I thought I would love my 4 day work week (8-5) with no weekends or holidays. However, I still took call and made hospital rounds. I thought running into the hospital would be so much better than working an entire 8 or 12 hour shift. It was better, but still took much more of my day than I wanted. I have to get ready, drive there, drive back, etc. I couldn't go in my gardening apparel. I rarely left late, but the job was so mentally draining trying to see patients in a 7 1/2 or 15 minute spot while still needing to look things up several times a day was too much. I came home and just could crawl in bed everyday. Luckily, I got approached by an agency I had previously applied with and ultimately took that job. I am so glad I did. Work/family balance is important and I finally (for the first time in my life) feel that I have attained it.

My new job is in a small, rural school. The hours are approximately 8:30-3, but there is flexibility...just flip the sign to open when you stroll in and closed when you leave for lunch or the day. I see walk-in sick visits and when there is a lull, my nurse calls down a student that is on her list of those who need a physical. The school kids need to be on the bus by 2:55 so I never have to stay late. The other benefit is that my children could transfer to the district I work in since I am an employee. I love the school they attend though, so they won't be moving. Summers off, school breaks off, it almost sounds too good to be true!

To answer your question, I think you will be able to find an opportunity that meets your needs.