Is being an NP worth it?

I think a question you first have to ask yourself is what do you want out of your career and how much you prioritize things like fulfillment, income, financial stability, etc?

On a very basic level consider the income difference and how long it will take to recuperate that difference considering the cost of school. You make X today, Y as an NP, and school will cost N. Is it worth it given the added stress and risk? From a different perspective, would an equal investment in time, effort, risk, and money reward you even more?

Both my SO and myself work in non-clinical roles but dove into our specialties. My SO makes about exactly the average NP salary in our state and I make just less than the average CRNA salary. We both have bachelors and have no clinical liability to worry about. 

In my opinion, NPs generally make shockingly little for the time, money, effort, and risk they take upon themselves. CRNAs are about the only specialty I have seen encountered where the real-world income justifies the effort. If you are looking for a new role because you want to make more money, there are far better areas to look. If you are looking for a new role because you would find it more fulfilling then definitely jump into it. 

If you keep coming back and thinking about becoming an NP then I think you have your answer.  Before I went to grad school, I was the same way.  I was unsure if I should make the leap but I kept coming back to school websites and their NP and midwifery programs multiple times.  I kept saying, it is too long, too expensive, too much of a time commitment until I just decided to take the leap and apply.  I got in and accepted the offer and here I am many years later.  

Ultimately, there will be many naysayers or people who don't think you should pursue a different path and I include family members in this but you are your own compass and sometimes we need to make a decision that we know is right for us but the people around you don't necessarily agree.

Is being a FNP and PCP within our current healthcare system hard?  Yes, it is.  I have many friends who went the FNP route because it was deemed more marketable, it was easier to find a job post-grad, and because they could see patients across the life span.  That shouldn't be the reason why you choose a specialty.  If you really like seeing children and/or adults then go for it but choose your specialty wisely and make sure if and when you go to NP school that the school finds your clinical sites for you.

FennelCNM said:

If you keep coming back and thinking about becoming an NP then I think you have your answer.  Before I went to grad school, I was the same way.  I was unsure if I should make the leap but I kept coming back to school websites and their NP and midwifery programs multiple times.  I kept saying, it is too long, too expensive, too much of a time commitment until I just decided to take the leap and apply.  I got in and accepted the offer and here I am many years later.  

Ultimately, there will be many naysayers or people who don't think you should pursue a different path and I include family members in this but you are your own compass and sometimes we need to make a decision that we know is right for us but the people around you don't necessarily agree.

Is being a FNP and PCP within our current healthcare system hard?  Yes, it is.  I have many friends who went the FNP route because it was deemed more marketable, it was easier to find a job post-grad, and because they could see patients across the life span.  That shouldn't be the reason why you choose a specialty.  If you really like seeing children and/or adults then go for it but choose your specialty wisely and make sure if and when you go to NP school that the school finds your clinical sites for you.

Valid point! I do like seeing kids and adults. I also like the poster above's comments, yours is great as well. Important to keep in mind that I often come back to this idea. Thank you ?

Bug Out said:

I think a question you first have to ask yourself is what do you want out of your career and how much you prioritize things like fulfillment, income, financial stability, etc?

On a very basic level consider the income difference and how long it will take to recuperate that difference considering the cost of school. You make X today, Y as an NP, and school will cost N. Is it worth it given the added stress and risk? From a different perspective, would an equal investment in time, effort, risk, and money reward you even more?

Both my SO and myself work in non-clinical roles but dove into our specialties. My SO makes about exactly the average NP salary in our state and I make just less than the average CRNA salary. We both have bachelors and have no clinical liability to worry about. 

In my opinion, NPs generally make shockingly little for the time, money, effort, and risk they take upon themselves. CRNAs are about the only specialty I have seen encountered where the real-world income justifies the effort. If you are looking for a new role because you want to make more money, there are far better areas to look. If you are looking for a new role because you would find it more fulfilling then definitely jump into it. 

Good points. It is both factors for me, the rewarding aspect and the money aspect. It is true that there are other areas of nursing that make the same or similar. I do not want to be a CRNA so that isn't an option for me. What do you guys do in a non-clinical role? Teaching, leadership, management, etc? JW.

Good point about the risk taken as a provider.

daisychains11 said:

Good points. It is both factors for me, the rewarding aspect and the money aspect. It is true that there are other areas of nursing that make the same or similar. I do not want to be a CRNA so that isn't an option for me. What do you guys do in a non-clinical role? Teaching, leadership, management, etc? JW.

Good point about the risk taken as a provider.

 

My SO is a manager at an insurance company and I work for a company that services hospitals. We both work from home. I have generally found that working within a clinical organization, an organization that primarily receives funding from the government for clinical services, will undervalue the services a nurse provides. 

Only become an NP if that is the kind of work you really want to do.  If you are an experienced RN, you will probably make less on your first NP job than you did as an RN.  

NP pay varies widely by specialty and location.  Do your research to find out what NPs earn in the locations you would consider.  That will allow you to determine if it is "worth it."  There are plenty of scholarships for aspiring NPs, so I don't know why so many people on this forum act like the  cost is exorbitant.  Loans are also available and a reasonable amount of loans is fine, based on what your expected earnings will be.  

PLEASE do not become a PMHNP just because it seems to pay more.  You will be doing your patients a huge disservice if that is your only motivation for choosing that specialty.  Choose a specialty you are interested in.

I live in CA, which pays NPs very well.  I make about $200K per year.  So yes, it was definitely worth it to become an NP.  That probably wouldn't be the case in a state where NPs make less than $100k per year.

There are many states in the Western US with a shortage of primary care providers.  In areas with such shortages, FNP pay can be quite good - starting at $120K per year or more and going up to $180K per year.  Some clinics also offer relocation and sign on bonuses, even mortgage subsidies.  Those locations are also usually eligible for loan repayment programs.

I won a HRSA scholarship for my NP education which paid my full tuition, books, and a small living stipend.  In return, I had to do 4 years of service in an underserved location.  Well worth it.

Is being an NP worth it, you may ask. And as much as I hate to admit it and give you a generic answer, my response would be that it truly depends. It's a very personal decision...you'd have to consider innumerable factors. I'm certainly not the expert on the subject matter since I've only been an NP a few months and I work very per diem, but I'd have to say, for someone who has internalized this question many, many times, I have an understanding of how you feel.

 So to cut this short, is it worth it? Maybe. It depends on what you value in life. Would you like to be in the provider role and positively impact patients' lives that way? If yes, then the answer is a resounding yes.

babyisa said:

Is being an NP worth it, you may ask. And as much as I hate to admit it and give you a generic answer, my response would be that it truly depends. It's a very personal decision...you'd have to consider innumerable factors. I'm certainly not the expert on the subject matter since I've only been an NP a few months and I work very per diem, but I'd have to say, for someone who has internalized this question many, many times, I have an understanding of how you feel.

 So to cut this short, is it worth it? Maybe. It depends on what you value in life. Would you like to be in the provider role and positively impact patients' lives that way? If yes, then the answer is a resounding yes.

Thank you for your reply I appreciate it. 

How are you liking your first job?