Glut of NPs in coming years?

guest769224 · Apr 10, 2015

I have heard both sides.

BLS and nursing instructors all chant that there is an exceptionally great need for NP's, it offers high pay, more autonomy, respect, better job satisfaction, many people rush into it. My BSN program director walked to the front of our classroom a few days ago. She discussed graduate school options and how there is a "huge huge need for nurse practitioners right now! NP's will always have job opportunities!" I was rolling my eyes because I do my research and don't agree with her.

The fact that hospitals treat their RN's like dirt does not help retain them. People seek that freedom and independence in the NP profession, seemingly to escape from the ever increasing focus on the customer (patient) is always right. But it seems like everyone and their dog are in NP school. FNP programs have popped up everywhere. PMHNP exploding with new applicants. Schools need to enact stricter acceptance criteria IMO. Require RN experience in the specialty one chooses to seek entry to. It's nice to see that CRNA limits their applicants with several hoops to jump through before admission.

For now, it seems like there are still plentiful job opportunities for nurse practitioners. In 5+ years from now, who knows.

I do find it concerning, all the talk of wage deflation due to a surplus of practitioners. What other options do nurses have? Many at the bedside aren't happy with all the recent changes and high turnover. With RN excess we have seen difficulty obtaining jobs, and wage decreases. Hopefully something that won't mirror for NP's down the road.

As said in another thread, when people strike gold, there's a gold rush. We are seeing the flood now.

Psychcns · Apr 11, 2015

Roles are changing too. I went to an express urgent care place, was seen by a competent NP, who prescribed mostly non prescription treatment.

At the pharmacy later I found out I could have gone to the pharmacy, spoke with the pharmacist, and received a similar treatment plan.

I went to a private physical therapist recently and received good treatment- no provider needed.

No job security, it looks like.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Apr 11, 2015

Roles are changing too. I went to an express urgent care place, was seen by a competent NP, who prescribed mostly non prescription treatment.
At the pharmacy later I found out I could have gone to the pharmacy, spoke with the pharmacist, and received a similar treatment plan.
I went to a private physical therapist recently and received good treatment- no provider needed.
No job security, it looks like.

I wouldn't say 'no job security' because you weren't prescribed a prescription drug on one occasion, doesn't sound like that would have been appropriate. I've bounced things off of pharmacist myself but retails clinics/urgent care clinic definitely serve a purpose and need..

Jules A, MSN · Apr 11, 2015

I wouldn't say 'no job security' because you weren't prescribed a prescription drug on one occasion, doesn't sound like that would have been appropriate. I've bounced things off of pharmacist myself but retails clinics/urgent care clinic definitely serve a purpose and need..

There is also a push in some states for pharmacists to prescribe independently.

orangepink, NP · Apr 11, 2015

I heard dietitians are pushing to prescribe as well.

There has always been a great demand for nurses and nurse practitioners. But it's usually the nursing schools who market it aggressively. My prof would brag about earning $15000/month as a new grad NP. When I graduated, that was nowhere near the current job offer.

Everyone I know wants to be an NP for the money. Then most if not all get shocked or burned out by the level of responsibility that the real world dumps on them. In the end, they end up doing home visits on the side and keep their RN job.

What really irks me are those foreign medical graduates who became nurses then NPs. Because when I applied for jobs in the past, between me and them...they always get chosen because of their background which I find unfair. If they really want to practice as providers, I think they should have applied for step 1.

Yave · Apr 24, 2015

You don't know me. I have no intention of going to NP school! Yes I've known a number of nurses who enrolled in programs. Do you foresee a problem of the influx of Nurse Practitioners?

Rod, Male Nurse · Apr 24, 2015

The only problem I see is that admission criteria is far too relaxed. In my opinion you should have a certain number of clinical experience hours (several years worth) to even be considered. All of the schooling in the world doesn't replace actual hand on experience. I want a practitioner who has assessment skills and book smarts...not just the latter of the two. Aside from that I think it's great that people are becoming NPs. Do it before DNP is mandatory. If you do nursing or NP for the money then you are doing it for the wrong reason.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 24, 2015

You don't know me. I have no intention of going to NP school! Yes I've known a number of nurses who enrolled in programs. Do you foresee a problem of the influx of Nurse Practitioners?

One of my big concern is what I perceive as a lack of interest in actually being a nurse among new nurses. A majority of my BSN students already plan to attend grad school many in an effort to become administrators or NPs. While I think it is excellent that they want to continue with their education most have no intention of working as a nurse while they climb the ladder away from the bedside which I personally do think is a problem.

There are numerous NP programs that seem to be popping up everywhere with little admission criteria. This could result in a glut of ill prepared prescribers and with regard to supply vs demand this will likely result in lower wages.

Yave · Apr 24, 2015

Thanks for the explanation. I am concerned about the attitude of the new grads. More so, students who want the degrees without putting in the work.

Dranger · Apr 24, 2015

I think many people want to jump from RN to NP is simply due to the nature of work involved with being a bedside RN. The work is hard, especially in the total care ICU world. We are usually understaffed, handed a ton of responsibility with little autonomy and the hours usually suck. I have never met a bedside RN who said they could work bedside their entire career. The good ones usually burn out.

allnurses Guide · Apr 25, 2015

There is good and bad to the swelling number of NP grads.

Sent from my iPhone.