Masters

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 10, 2007

A lot of what determines the work hours for an NP relies on the nature of the specialty setting the NP works in. There is a variety of specialties NP's have been working in and each offers certain perks over others as far as scheduling and lifestyle goes. This is very similar to choosing a specialty for a physician. Internal Medicine office practice can get very busy with seeing patients on a day to day basis and as long as there are patients sitting in the waiting room, you don't go home. Hospital rounding is also busy for some NP's for the same reason - as long as there are still patients not seen on your list, then your day isn't done.

Some specialty practices (like mine) allows the NP to work in shifts similar to an RN. So when your relief comes, you sign out and off you go. However, the shifts make it hard because you have to take turns working the dreaded nightshift. I'm happy with this set-up though because I do my 3 12-hour shifts a week and I'm off the rest. Some of my fellow NP's, pick up overtime like crazy and they can handle being stressed out with ICU work day in and day out.

I have also experienced working in a totally laid back setting in Physical Medicine and Rehab from Mon-Fri from 8 AM to 4:30 PM without having to work holidays. Patients in that setting were long-term, acute rehab clients with brain and spinal cord injury and you get to know their issues so it isn't too hard figuring your plans for the day. It was a very relaxed setting and was actually too slow-paced for me (which is the reason why I left).

If you have a guaranteed position with this physician, try to get a feel of what kind of work hours he puts in every day and see if you can handle it. If not, you can still grab the opportunity to work with him if you negotiate the kind of schedule and pay you are willing to work for.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 13, 2007

I agree that the job and responsibilities vary tremendously. I currently work anywhere from 40-60 hours a week and am on-call for two 12 hour shifts on the weekend (one weekend per month). On-call is a misnomer though as I actually have to drive 55 miles to two distant hospitals and see our practice's patients there.

I interviewed for a job in the hospital (when I first graduated) that was strictly 40 hours and no more, no call at all. However, the pay was commensurate with that and I would have had to take a huge paycut. I also have interviewed in an office (derm) which would have been strictly 40 hours per week. However, it seemed so boring that I would have died there I think - lol.

At any rate, I would check out what this physician is actually offering? Does he have an NP in his office now? What type of money? What hours? All things you may want to consider. BTW - I wouldn't say yes to this job unless you are sure its what you want to do. Your clinicals will give you a better idea of what is out there in your job market.

NurseCherlove · Jul 17, 2007

On that note....my goal is to eventually be a Cardiac NP (not sure of the exact setting as of yet - general, interventional, critical care, etc.). However, eventually (actually as soon as possible after becoming an NP) I only want to work like 2 days a week. But from what I've seen, cardiology seems to be one of those specialties where PT jobs are hard to come by and the NPs are run ragged. What do you guys think? Is it possible to have my cake and eat it too? My fiance has already told me that I don't have to work (in fact he would really prefer that I do not after we get married), but I just want to have something interesting to do in between family time.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2007

Madwife2002: In another thread, you discuss how you don't like the culture that exists in your community when it comes to the nurse-physician relationship. So ... maybe you should reconsider your options and look at other advanced nursing roles in addition to considering the NP role. Those things you don't like about physician/nurse relationships in your community will probably play a big role in determining your job options as an NP far more than they would if you were an advanced nurse not working for a physician.

You may find more autonomy and less physician/nurse frustration in a CNS, Staff Education, or Academic Education role. You also might find better working conditions and better scheduling options.

I hope no one thinks I am criticizing the NP role here. It's an honorable one and some of my best friends are NP's. However, knowing that the OP has some serious concerns about the physician/nurse culture in her community, I find it interesting that she is considering actually working for physicians and being supervised by them as a career choice. I'm curious as to why she is making that choice and whether she has seriously considered that aspect of her career choice.

Good luck to you, madwife2002, in whatever you decide.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2007

Madwife2002: In another thread, you discuss how you don't like the culture that exists in your community when it comes to the nurse-physician relationship. So ... maybe you should reconsider your options and look at other advanced nursing roles in addition to considering the NP role. Those things you don't like about physician/nurse relationships in your community will probably play a big role in determining your job options as an NP far more than they would if you were an advanced nurse not working for a physician.
You may find more autonomy and less physician/nurse frustration in a CNS, Staff Education, or Academic Education role. You also might find better working conditions and better scheduling options.
I hope no one thinks I am criticizing the NP role here. It's an honorable one and some of my best friends are NP's. However, knowing that the OP has some serious concerns about the physician/nurse culture in her community, I find it interesting that she is considering actually working for physicians and being supervised by them as a career choice. I'm curious as to why she is making that choice and whether she has seriously considered that aspect of her career choice.
Good luck to you, madwife2002, in whatever you decide.

I am seriously considering which direction I am going in. There are of course some Doctors whom I am have some rapport with-it would be impossible not to have. I do however see your point with the NP direction, though I have observed that my doctors do treat their NP's with a lot of respect-so maybe it is the floor nurses who dont recieve the same consideration.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 23, 2007

Madwife - I think what you say is true. When I was a staff nurse, I was treated with respect but had to prove myself first. Now, when I go somewhere to do a consult, my lab coat and name tag speak for themselves. GOod luck with this hard decision.