FNP student looking for realistic picture of new grad

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Specializes in PCCN.

Hi there, 

I am in my 1st year of FNP school, and will be 53 years old when I graduate in 2023. I have been a PCU RN for 13 years, and while I love patient care I am feeling burned out working  at bedside. In talking to several NPs in my area (considered to be over saturated) NPs are overworked (and if you break down the salary to hourly pay is less than contract RN). It isn’t unusual to be working 50-60 hrs/week (which includes time spent on administrative tasks). I find this to be particularly daunting as I really don’t want to feel worked to death without time for myself, as I will have about 15 work-years left, also would need to pay back loans and get ready for retirement! What is everyone else’s experience with this? Does it depend on location and specialty? If so, what specialty would have more flexibility? Thanks ?? 

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Specializes in ICU.

Have you considered moving to an area with greater need?

BUMP

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

All specialties are oversaturated. Due to diploma mills with low entry standards, every bored floor nurse is working on his or her online NP degree in their spare time. Certain for profit programs are enrolling literally thousands of NP students per semester and the market is flooded. Salaries are falling if you look at job postings and you're right, breaking down the hourly pay can sometimes show it as low as $30-40 per hour as an NP. 

 

 

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Specializes in NP. Former flight, CCU, ED RN and paramedic..

New grad here, just passed test today.  23 years working ED, CCU, flight, etc.  Totally sick of all of that.  I'm 49 yrs old.

Got four job offers before I graduated.  All in 120-130k range in either primary care or ED/primary care mix.  Three of the offers had full tuition reimbursement up to $50,000.

Yes, I made $60/hr as a flight nurse, but crashing planes and staying up all night sucks, as does flying covid patients all over the planet.

Not sure what to tell you, yes, you will work hard, yes, you will likely take some of your work home with you.  Yes, it's a ton of emotional effort to finish school, but I think it is worth it........I'd rather be an FNP at age 60 than a flight nurse or an ER nurse.

 

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On 5/20/2021 at 12:47 AM, trackhead said:

New grad here, just passed test today.  23 years working ED, CCU, flight, etc.  Totally sick of all of that.  I'm 49 yrs old.

Got four job offers before I graduated.  All in 120-130k range in either primary care or ED/primary care mix.  Three of the offers had full tuition reimbursement up to $50,000.

Yes, I made $60/hr as a flight nurse, but crashing planes and staying up all night sucks, as does flying covid patients all over the planet.

Not sure what to tell you, yes, you will work hard, yes, you will likely take some of your work home with you.  Yes, it's a ton of emotional effort to finish school, but I think it is worth it........I'd rather be an FNP at age 60 than a flight nurse or an ER nurse.

 

What state are you in?  Pay seems quite regional. 

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