Needing encouragement: I think I regret being an FNP

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

I don't even know where to start, to be honest. So I will just ramble (bear with me).

So I was laid off 3.5 months ago from an NP job that I enjoyed, due to budget cuts. At that time, i wasn't too devastated because I always kept my agency ICU RN gig on the side, and I have been able to resume making a good income ever since my layoff. But at this point, I am beginning to grow really annoyed at the inability to find a respectable NP job.

I live in an NP saturated city, and even as an NP with over a year of experience, I have placed over 60 applications with very little call backs. I've only been called back 3 times. One was a cardiology NP job and I was passed over due to me having an FNP (I was crushed, even though he loved my Cardiac ICU experience). The second call back I thought I had it in the bag, went though 5 positive interviews, interviewed with the CMO, and they eventually dropped off the face of the earth (after they STRONGLY encouraged me to get my DEA prior to hire.... so I basically paid over $700 to be flaked on, which is my fault at the end of the day, but still... I felt so deceived), and LASTLY there is another job that I am interviewing for that I think is a joke. They are talking about paying $60,000 a year with a FIVE YEAR CONTRACT. I honestly don't know why I am still communicating with them, but at this point, I feel like ANYONE showing interest in me at this point is something, even if the job is pathetic :cry:.

Even all the Locum Tenens places I am looking at are asking for 2 years experience, and I am still not "qualified enough" at 1 year and 3 months. I recently just purchased a home with my spouse and moving isn't an option at the moment, as I help take care of my siblings.

The job I was laid off from was a low 6 figure income, great perks, etc. and I am angry and disappointed in the lack of options that are out there now for FNPs. I'm not asking for perfection, but i'm seeing too many 6 days a week jobs for 60k-70k a year, which I find to be simply unacceptable. I feel like I fell for the "FNPs can do anything" myth. It is NOT TRUE in my neck of the woods. When looking at jobs now, all that is out there are psych and Acute Care jobs. Even pediatric clinics and OB/Gyns here only want PNPs/WHNPs. There are SO MANY FNPs graduating in my city and many more moving in. I have already put in applications for a few Post Masters AGACNP programs for Spring 2018, to open up my opportunities. I'm even tempted to consider applying for Psych NP, mainly for the $$$ and job opportunities. I'm shocked that employers are even considering asking FNPs to accept $60-80k for 50+ hour work weeks.

At this time, I am loving my Agency RN work, I always have. At least while I search, I can make my own schedule, work 4 days a week, and take trips without worrying about scheduling. But I still get this sense of 'I NEED to find an NP job soon'. But even headhunters I have contacted have nothing to offer because of the saturation. And I don't want to just settle for ANY job (like the 5 year contract job) that I will absolutely resent.

Anyway, thanks for taking time out to read this. Is there anyone else that is regretting their FNP or hating the job market where they are and are unable to move???

Maybe I'm just impatient, or asking for alot, i don't know.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I feel like I fell for the "FNPs can do anything" myth. It is NOT TRUE in my neck of the woods.

Maybe I'm just impatient, or asking for alot, i don't know.

Its true most places and I don't think you are being inpatient or asking a lot. Unfortunately, you are in the same boat as many other NPs who drank the university KoolAid served up to undergrads who believe the Land of Milk and Honey NP fairy tale. You aren't the first and sadly I suspect your experience will increase exponentially in the near future.

At this point the best I could offer is to really work your professional contacts for an inside tract to a NP job. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

Yes, had I known what I know now, I would have used my critical care experience to do the ACNP track immediately. Because I know there are more jobs that aren't this ridiculous.

And after being laid off, I am realizing that RNs seem to have way more job security than NPs. This is why I will ALWAYS keep my Agency RN work going. ALWAYSSSS. I'm sure if I had let it go (like alot of NPs do), I would be alot more angry and would have taken that $60k job in a desperate frenzy.

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That is odd as I got two calls regarding locums coverage today. I have to tell them to never call me again. Rural areas offer the best options as my facility cannot get NPs and positions go empty for many many months.

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Specializes in NICU.

Your best option is probably to move somewhere temporarily in a big city elsewhere- so you can get a good salary and get the necessary experience. You can get a cheap apartment and pay for 2 households if you dial down your lifestyle. Sorry you're facing this- but you have to move forward. Do you want to be a RN or a NP? Either one is fine, but you'll make sacrifices with each one. I vote for the temporary move to a new city while maintaining your mortgage in your current city so that in a year or two you can get a gig in your home city, but only you can decided what is best for you.

Good luck- let us know what you decide!

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May I ask which state you are in? I'm gonna be a new grad FNP pretty soon and kinda worried about the job prospect. Thanks

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Specializes in NICU.
May I ask which state you are in? I'm gonna be a new grad FNP pretty soon and kinda worried about the job prospect. Thanks

If you look at her post at the bottom, says she lives in Houston, TX.

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Thank you!

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Fire all the MD/DO primary care docs and hire NP since they can do a better job at a cheaper price than them according to studies...

MD/DO in primary care have no trouble finding jobs anywhere in the country, so why is that different for FNP?

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I'm not an FNP yet, I graduate in December. But I am an active member of my NP association in Texas. Almost every meeting has someone announcing jobs and there are groups on FB for NP in this area Of Texas that routinely has job postings as well. As far as Houston goes I know a few people who live and work there and love it. I think it is a matter of networking and putting yourself out there to land a job. Even CVS or RediClinic is always hiring and while it may not be ideal it is pretty good pay and can be used as a stepping stone to something better. I would definitely recommend joining the Houston NP association as a start at least. And as others have mentioned be open to moving, even within the state of Texas, to find a better position.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come for NPs.

I hope not, but when I researched for the article Too Many Nurse Practitioners? government statistics and forecasting said we are heading for a surplus :(

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Hang in there. I went through that too. I have been an NP for 26 years. The problem is that schools are pumping out too many FNPs. I am a FNP who went back for my psych and the doors really opened. Even if you work part time, do it as a FNP. I even volunteered in an office to get the experience and was eventually hired. Get involved in your nursing organization who often will post jobs. Networking is everything. Volunteer to be on boards of nursing. Good luck and keep plugging. It pays off

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