I need your advice NPs.

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Hello nurse practitioners~ ;)

I am thinking about going to grad. school next year to become a NP and I was wondering if I could get some realistic information regarding the career.

Honestly, I am uncertain if this is the right choice.

Medical school is very tempting these days but I am not sure if I want to switch to "medicine".

I am one of those nurses who love & fully respect the philosophy and theories of nursing but want to be more autonomous and have the responsibility and ability to treat my patients' physical symptoms as well.

I would love to hear from you how your typical day is like at work.

i.e. how you collaborate with other healthcare professionals, how many pts. you see each day, if the day is more tiring than being a bedside nurse, salary and benefits, working hours, Pros and Cons of the job, etc.

Any tips/info/advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I am a CNS in an NP role. I work for a large 15 MD practice with 8 mid-level providers (4 PAs, 3 NPs and me). The NPs see the chronic hemodialysis patients. I have two units - total of 200 patients. I am very autonomous and consult with my fellow midlevels and MDs on a prn basis. My typical day is 8-12 hours depending on what's going on. I have little paperwork and for that I'm glad. It is not as tiring as being a staff nurse in the ER where I used to work. However, it is stressful hoping you are doing the right thing and not missing something important. The buck stops with you a lot of the time.

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my job is not routine but here is a breakdown of today working in interventional radiology;3 patient follow up visits two pvd, I subclavian stenosis. first assist in two cases. 2 consultations for varicose vein treatments. coordinate with onocologist concerning hcc treatment for a patient. Tube check and resuture a gtube for continious gastric evacuation. For my NP (full time) job I make less than 2 dollars an hour more than I do as an RN (part time) both have benefits. I enjoy the the np role more than that of a rn Jeremy

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I worked as an ER nurse for "many" years prior to going to NP school. I am currently an FNP in a 11 MD primary care and cardiology practice, I am the only NP working with 2 PA's. I am autonomous, well resepcted, treated as a peer and professionally. It's all what you put into it.

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hi krnruby,

i have been an np now for almost 4 yrs in a private practice neurology group in michigan. i see anywhere from 8-12 pts a day. i am the only np in a group of 6 md's. i am pretty autonomous for established pts. for new pts i bring the md in to do key parts of the h/p. salary is pretty good but i am in the process of renegotiating some salary issues...primarily bonus. my hours are good. 8-5 m-th and 8-12 on fridays. 2000 dollars CME money and 5 weeks vacation. good hours. no nights, weekends, holidays, or call

hope this helps

jasamidnp

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