How much patient interaction do Peds NPs have?

[sjh226]

I'm a student pursuing my Associate's in nursing and I am finishing up my prerequisites so that I can hopefully get in by next year. As far as my goals, I would like to obtain my RN and then get a certification in forensic nursing as an SANE-P since it was between choosing either law enforcement or nursing for me when it came to careers. I figured combining my two favorite worlds could be beneficial.

After that, I'd like to study for and obtain my RN-MSN with a specialty in pediatric neurology and then sit for my Board certification to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) with specialties in both acute & primary care. My only concern is, as a Peds NP, how much patient interaction do you have on a daily basis (unit could be ER, inpatient, outpatient, whatever)? Do you have any responsibilities for bedside care like regular RNs do? I'm only concerned about this because I have heard a lot of talk of NPs jobs being mostly administrative... responsible for teaching, paperwork, and such. I know that any job in nursing is going to require paperwork, but for me, I'm more of a directly-involved type of caregiver. Is there any advice that can be given? If I need to clarify more, I will. Thanks!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Outpatient PNPs have patient schedules just like other providers do. They have a patient empanelment of their own and see patients by appointment just like a PA or a doctor.