FNP hours

Thank you very much for your input!

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.

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.

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.

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??

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.

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!

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.