Having anxiety over my decision to be an FNP

[monicanurse]

Hi guys and gals,

I am a nurse with a varied background: oncology, med surg is the bulk of my experience with the exception of a 1.5 years of critical care. I am an extremely caring person and I think my heart was in the right place when I decided to become a nurse. Looking back on it now though, there are so many things I wished they would have told me before I became a nurse. One of the reasons I decided to pursue my advanced degree is the lack of respect nurses get as a whole. I was tired of working myself to death and not getting any appreciation from doctors(some are just senseless in their rudeness) or nurse managers that dont care about patients ( they care more about their bonuses and having a nice office). I saw alot of professional nurses showing the most unprofessional behaviors (gossiping about patients, wearing the wrong things, violating HIPPA, not caring, complaining all the time in front of patients...ect). I am not saying this is the case for all nursing units but I have seen enough to know that I wanted more respect.

I am worried again ...as Ive come to this new threshold in my career...am I making the right choice? Do FNP's get more respect from doctors? or will it be the same? Some of the threads on here seem to imply that FNPs are required to work alot of hours and work very hard for the money they earn. Some even stated the doctors just take advantage of them.Im questioning if Im going to feel the same way after I graduate FNP and put a few years in ...as Im feeling now ...6 years post my BSN. That is a scary thought!

I have alot to offer the profession. Im attending an Ivy League university, I am bilingual , and I have alot of caring to give to my patients. I just feel a little afraid of whether Im making the right choices...but then again...Im tired of being within the RN role. I know I want to further my career. Any professional input would be great ! Warm regards to everyone.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I am very fortunate to work with a large practice of very supportive MDs and other mid-levels.

That said, my job satisfaction comes from within. If someone is having a bad day and snaps at me, I try not to take it personally. Over the years, I have developed a pretty thick skin....not that I don't care just that I don't take things so personally.

So...I think your angst about changing roles is well-founded: there is much more stress when you call the shots so to speak and there is more at stake too.

However, it sounds like you have the attributes (and then some) to become a wonderful FNP.

Good luck.

[monicanurse]

Thankyou for you advice. Yes, I agree. The staff that you work with can make or break your experience. The places Ive had the most job satisfaction is where doctors , nurses and all the staff see eachother as a whole entity and respect eachother's input. I know nursing is by no means a perfect world and I know all about developing a thick skin , especially with doctors.

I guess as I go through the program, the answers will come to me. I just hope I dont spend all this money on school and start feeling like I made the wrong choice.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

The other thing is I do remember how it was at the bedside and when nurses call me for orders, I am always compassionate to their needs too.

[monicanurse]

Glad to hear that you remember being a nurse. I know that I'll treat all the nurses very well because I'll never forget how I started. Plus, it elevates the profession when you teach other nurses and show that openness. I cant tell you how many times Ive seen nurses "ignore" new students like they are such burdens to them. I dont think that is teaching them much about the profession itself. That is why alot of students are amazed when I actually sit down with them and teach them things.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I go out of my way to seek out the bedside nurse when I see pts in the hospital. It is always appreciated and as a result, they are very open with me about their concerns. It is a team effort.

I will say that most of my nursing experience was in a level one trauma center and I still very much enjoy caring for pts.

I think you are going to do just fine.

[RITA2007]

I share in your anxiety about my decision to become a FNP. I tend to lack self-confidence and I can be a pushover at times. These are things that I know I have to overcome if I can expect to be a well-functioning nurse practitioner. Any advice from anyone with similar personality traits who have overcome them?

[BmoreCRNP]

It really depends on where you end up. Some NPs are being treated like the Doc's servant. Other NPs are a respected member of the team. I'm working in LTC, and that is a very interesting environment to work in. Some MDs are okay towards me, and others talk to me as if I'm the maid. It's usually the jerks with huge egos that act that way. Your best bet would be to work in a state where you could practice independently.