Future of NP and...my future

[Polly Peptide]

I was accepted into a direct entry program, a reputable B&M school, which was to start last August. I chose not to go, for a variety of reasons, but mostly having to do with the season of life my kids are in. I still felt a strong desire to become an NP some day (I am 40ish and have been wanting to change careers), but thought - I can do that later, but not my kids.

Yet...I've been kicking myself somewhat. I don't regret giving up the DE position. I was concerned about becoming an NP with no experience as an RN. My area is pretty saturated and all job postings ask for at least one year. So now I've been accepted into an ABSN program, which will allow me to progress into my MSN while working if I choose. Or I can simply wait and get my MSN later so I don't sacrifice too much time with the kids.

But I am struggling. My former industry is a decent one and pays well. It's just not all that...redeeming. It is flexible. I can work from home sometimes. It does require some travel. It's a business-y, Sales-y type of job. Really, I can make better money doing it than working as an NP.

But I have just wanted to do this for so long, I wonder if I am blinded by it. Am I underestimating the job? Is it harder than I think? Are the hours worse than I can imagine? Is it no fun? Are we going to have a glut of NPs/PAs in the coming years, so that our pay goes down the toilet? Or will we be so needed, the opposite will happen?

I juat want to see this clearly. And at my age, is this kind of change worth it.

[Jules A, MSN]

I know you say you are always focused on the bottom line, but I get the feeling you do that from the luxury position of also enjoying your job (as much as one likes working). It's easy to say that when you like what you do. When you don't...you start saying, hmmm, money isn't everything.

So the assumption that I am losing out on four years of $175K isn't quite right because 1) I am not working right now (and don't yet have the offer); and 2) school is 2.5 years (if I went straight through...for the math's sake). Right now, I'm not making anything and haven't been for three years. It just so happens I have the opportunity.

First, I really like your style. Seems to fall in the rare spot of mid line optimistic and pragmatic. Nice, I haven't been able to achieve such a balance but appreciate those who have. I was mistaken and thought you currently made between 150k-200k although technically if you quit a job making that much than you are losing even more in this entire endeavor?

Second you really made me think and you are correct it is easy to say the money is everything when I also really like my jobs although I'm at one that is kind of meh and I could live without if it weren't for the amazing salary and perks. So you might have me on this one although what I can promise is I will not work for considerably less than I am accustomed to if things take a turn for the worst in upcoming years and this is another statement that is only applicable because I'm nearing retirement and can decide to quit unlike some of you youngins. :)

Secondly...it appears you are assuming my income will only ever be $100k. Do you think that's accurate? I am truly curious. I want to know the truth. If so...that's a huge bummer. Of course, it's better than me never working at all I suppose, but still. Just doesn't seem fair for the job.

As far as lost SSI...I've never been one to count on the government

I believe now that the average NP makes in the 100k range give or take and with what I know to be a large influx of new NPs, I can not imagine the rates or opportunities will increase markedly. Many say in their areas rates and opportunities are increasing, in mine they are decreasing. Although there will always be outliers I suspect the future of >150k for NPs is not favorable. I do hope I am wrong however!

Yeah I totally don't want to count on the govt either but as I get nearer and it still appears to be available it would be nice to go out on a high note with regard to SSI.

[Polly Peptide, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

First, I really like your style. Seems to fall in the rare spot of mid line optimistic and pragmatic. Nice, I haven't been able to achieve such a balance but appreciate those who have. I was mistaken and thought you currently made between 150k-200k although technically if you quit a job making that much than you are losing even more in this entire endeavor?

Second you really made me think and you are correct it is easy to say the money is everything when I also really like my jobs although I'm at one that is kind of meh and I could live without if it weren't for the amazing salary and perks. So you might have me on this one although what I can promise is I will not work for considerably less than I am accustomed to if things take a turn for the worst in upcoming years and this is another statement that is only applicable because I'm nearing retirement and can decide to quit unlike some of you youngins. :)

I believe now that the average NP makes in the 100k range give or take and with what I know to be a large influx of new NPs, I can not imagine the rates or opportunities will increase markedly. Many say in their areas rates and opportunities are increasing, in mine they are decreasing. Although there will always be outliers I suspect the future of >150k for NPs is not favorable. I do hope I am wrong however!

Yeah I totally don't want to count on the govt either but as I get nearer and it still appears to be available it would be nice to go out on a high note with regard to SSI.

Lol. Fortunately I didn't quit a job making $150-$200k three years ago. Some things had happened and my income had really dwindled. I quit for personal reasons. It had to happen. So I can't really look back.

The truth is...if I compared my most recent income to my expected new income, I would be getting a raise.

I gotta admit, that doesn't make me feel a whole lot better. I would need to be closer to the higher end of normal to be making what I typically averaged in the past.

This NEW job opportunity is pretty tantalizing. It is more than what I've ever made. But I don't relish the actual responsibilities...

It's tough! I am ready for a change in my life, that's part of my problem. I love to learn. I am very interested in the topic. I think I would be a really good NP.

I agree with you on refusing to work for less than you're worth. Once you are at a certain level, you can't go back. Even for myself, having achieved a certain amount of success on the business side of healthcare, I see myself negotiating hard. I will be competing with people half my age and with little life experience. My hope is that gives me some sort of leg up, even if some employers would rather get a warm body for the cheapest rate. Those aren't the people I would want to work for anyway.

[caliotter3]

If you are willing to accept the possibility that you won't realize the positives, then make the change. If the stability of a better paying endeavor in the short run outweighs your "dream", then reconsider. Some choices bring about greater harm than good and can't easily be reversed. But that is true for many of life's decisions.

[42pines]

I can make $150-$200k in my current field, and have some flexibility but it requires travel and some skills that, while I'm good at, I don't love performing.

Quite frankly I'd stay put. (Though I don't know what a DE is.) I've lived though times of RN shortage and times of RN glut, and it seems to me that we're in, or on the edge of an FNP/NP glut.

If you have a burning desire then by all means continue on your path, and I do wish you the best of luck and that unfathomable (to me) $200k. (And to think I thought breaking the $100k barrier would be so amazing).