Happier being a NP than a RN? Right decision for me?

[nurse2bnoob101]

Wondering if being a NP is right decision for me. Originally I went into nursing to become a psych NP as I had a different career before. However now I am a bit on the fence. Been working as a bedside nurse for a couple years now. Feeling burnt already. Frankly I am tired don't know if I can keep up with this lifestyle. I work alot and its mostly nights atm. Don't really have a social life, work odd hours, tired of manual labor, tired dealing with needy patients, family, tired of being on the front line. I been working for a year 4 or 5 days a week 8 hour shifts on nights without vacation yet. So feeling extra burnt. I have a month of PTO I requested which I am looking forward to. Also I would like to have kids and raise a family one day and would like a more healthy lifestyle. Only escape I can see would be to retire early. 

I am more of an analytical type of person, less task oriented, and prefer 1 on 1 patient interactions. Less so dealing with patient's family. I much prefer being in the background setting up orders, analyzing medications, more peace and quiet to think without having people pull me in different directions like a RN. I get jealous of the docs who are in their office in the hospital while I work the craziness on the floor.  One thing that I am hesitant about is going back to school is the time and taking on more debt. Feel tired of going through more schooling and going into more debt, but it was initially my plan when I entered this profession. I wonder if I will be much happier and if this would be the answer for me. Figured I will work and go to school. I can reduce my hours at work while I am in school. 

So are you much happier being a NP than a RN? Do you have a much better lifestyle per se? 

 

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Sometimes a change in function may be more appropriate than continuing on to role change. Not all nursing areas are the same and some might be a better fit. I might recommend PACU. While it’s task oriented, you will likely only have 1-2 patients at a time and typically they are gone in an hour ish.  It’s technically a job you can coast in, but also a job you can transition into other areas.

Another consideration is care management. The VA hires these RNs to reinforce their primary care teamlets. It’s a lot more patient monitoring with a pseudo provider idea; though technically exceptionally run by a physician. 

NP work isn’t without its drawbacks. In today’s climate, anyone who is not currently a working NP (outside of some specialties like psych) are going to find the job landscape difficult. You will still find yourself working five 8s and if you end up a hospitalist or doing other hospital work, expect just as wonky of a schedule. You can expect to also do many extra hours closing charts or researching conditions as you will frequently take work home with you. At least if you’re worth your salt in patient ownership.

You will still deal with families, only on a different plane. You will be educating everyone in the room the ins and outs of everything you’re recommending for your patient. Patient interactions are not always one on one and while families may regard a provider higher than a nurse, they will also distinctly remember your name for any reason they don’t like you. 

It’s hard me to qualify happiness in a job. I feel good about my position and more involved in my patients. I know more and work harder to make important decisions for patients I never had to worry about before My pacu, pain management, and care management background definitely aren’t as fulfilling job wise. But those roles also had their benefits. But as I stated earlier, I feel anyone taking on more debt now will be hurting in the job market in the next few years. 

[djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP]

Another consideration given your personal preferences. Consider pharmacy school. Lots of research and md level of care. Not so much on the patient interaction or crazy hours side. 

[aok7, NP]

I agree with djmatte.  I felt similar to you as a floor nurse, though I did not work nights - ever.  Looking back, I realize med-surg type settings were not the right fit for me.  I should have gone anywhere and done anything to get into a critical care specialty setting, as had I then I would have been with the depth and focus in which I thrive.  Also, I should have sought help for developing tools through therapy...I was depressed.  

There are so many areas of nursing at the RN level...MD office setting, hospice, OR, ED, etc.  It's still so exciting to think about.  Anyway, before excitement can even rise, self-care needs to come first, then from a place of inner strength you can more easily find the right fit. 

Give yourself many thanks for being strong through all you're doing and remember your happiness is very important.  Being a NP will not make you happy unless it is sought from a pure place of this (quite consuming) job you want to do.

[vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

APRN is an advanced practice nurse. If you don’t enjoy being a nurse why expand your expertise In this area? Caring for the patient includes caring for the whole person. Understanding psycho social aspects, families. Social determinants of health. I wouldn’t spend money on a education that doesn’t produce what your looking for.

[ENTTriageRN, BSN]

A change in role may be a good idea while you explore and research what is required to be an NP. 

I myself have never worked in the hospital setting. I have worked as a triage nurse since I have graduated in 2015. It is 8-5p, mon-fri. It's certainly a change of pace from the hospital. At my current triage job, I am 90% telephonic. There are some drawbacks, but that is with any job.

 

I am going back to school to become a NP, as this is what I wanted to do from the get go.