Glut of NPs in coming years?

Jules A, MSN · Oct 28, 2015

I have to agree with you. I go to a regular "brick and mortar" campus and I'm shocked every day at some of the people who are in my program. I don't even know if "online" vs. "campus" really makes that much of a difference (depending on reputation of program... I mean Vandy's program is online and probably more vigorous than the University of Phoenix... not trying to offend, but its my opinion).
Just some base examples of people in my program:
The nurse that never worked a day in psych says "I'm going to be a PMHNP! It's pointless to learn about all this medical stuff! Why do I even need to know it? I just want to do talk therapy for depressed housewives so I don't get it!" And then proceeds to do poorly on pathophys and assessment and then complains that "they didn't just give me a pass!".
The other nurse who never worked in psych that says, "I decided to switch to PsychNP cause it's less stressful [than area they work where patient are intubated and sedated] and I want to actually be appreciated by my patients".
The Masters Entry nurses (who just finished their masters degree) who are now on their 4th masters degree and haven't actually worked as a nurse - or in any field they have a degree in period (I admire the academic pursuit but the grumpy cat part of me wonders why they don't just pursue academic field at this point).
Then again I could just being judgmental and mean right now because I'm feeling particularly bitter and angry over my ongoing sleep deprivation.
One of the reasons why I'm hesitant to quit work (and between school and work am out of the house somewhere around 60 hours a week) and adding in the actual school work portion (which it currently being procrastinated on right now) puts me at somewhere between "living off energy drinks" and "Shower + poop time are relished cause it's the only time I get when I'm not staring at a computer screen or trying to convince the angry psychotic to take his meds", is that I'm terrified that the field will be saturated, I'll graduate and not be able to find full time work as an NP and the time lapse on my resume between jobs will make it difficult to find an RN position (and I actually really love being an RN, I just think I'll love being an NP more, can be better help to my home facility and will have more longevity in my career as I've seen way too many nurses become disabled due to patient assaults in my specialty area).

I went to a well known state university with an excellent reputation and there were more than a few dolts in my class as well as teaching classes. The thing with being a NP is that I think all areas will become saturated at the rate they are cranking them out now however in psych we have a bit of an advantage because so many can't stand what we do and those who think they can without any real knowledge of what it is will tire very quickly. Especially the chick who thinks she will be appreciated by her patients, lol.

Don't stop work while you are in school even if it is painful because to me you will loose too much money and professional contacts. Hang in there.

sauce · Nov 2, 2015

I was chugging some water after my morning workout today and was reminded of the future for us nurse practitioners. GLUTGLUTGLUTGLUTGLUT.