new nurse- NP or PA school?

[Reaz]

Hello!!

I am a new nurse with 6 months experience on a surgical/telemetry floor. It really stinks to say it, but I do not like nursing that much. I know many of you will say its because I am new and need to figure out how to be a good nurse, but I actually am progressing very well, pretty decent at time management, and am already starting to feel very comfortable (still SO MUCH I don't know, but i'm a fast learner and handle pressure very well). I have gotten such good feedback from my managers and co-workers.

However, I am just not happy. I absolutely HATE the hours (I work nights- dont even get me started as to why I hate working nights). I do not like 12 hours shifts, working every other weekend SUCKS, and I feel like I a can't adapt to it. I understand I have to pay my dues with working nights, but working the 12 hour shifts and weekends will not change. On the days I work, I have no time to do anything besides work. Then I get bored on my off days when all my friends/family are at work. There is no routine or schedule since every week the days are scheduled differently. Also, I find that a lot of what my job entails is just tasks, tasks, tasks, tasks, tasks. Pass my 9 o'clock meds, bladder scan this guy, take this one to the bathroom, get an admission while all my other patients have their call lights on. I just thought it would be something more than that. I have thought about ICU since there is more critical thinking/less patients, but I just dont think I would be tremendously more satisfied.

I have already started thinking about going back to school since I feel so over nursing already. I either want to go to PA or NP school. The reason why I am considering PA school is because the program is more vigorous and has a more thorough curriculum. Since I dont have much nursing experience, I feel that might be the better option. However, would it be dumb of me to not go to NP school since i'm already a nurse? I just feel that with only about a year experience, I wouldn't thrive in NP school since experience is what really makes you a good NP. My gut tells me PA, but it is also way harder to get into and I am going to have to bust my behind to get things done to apply.

What are your thoughts on PA verse NP with my situation?? (I am NOT willing to wait longer to gain more experience as a nurse, 1 year, 1.5 years is max for me.) THANKS in advance!!

[Green Tea, RN]

If you do not like nursing, it is okay to leave. I found nursing was not for me, and I'm on my way to the exit (I go to school and work as a nurse part time). From my observation, nurses complain about their job, but majority of them just do not leave. I personally cannot do that.

If i were in your situation, i would definetely choose to go to a PA school. I saw you are interested in surgery or dermatology. I used to work in surgery, and they prefer to hire PAs over NPs. I even know a PA who is a former nurse. She was a circulator and then chose a PA school for her advanced degree. Good luck!

[AceMami]

45 minutes ago, Green Tea, RN said:

If you do not like nursing, it is okay to leave. I found nursing was not for me, and I'm on my way to the exit (I go to school and work as a nurse part time). From my observation, nurses complain about their job, but majority of them just do not leave. I personally cannot do that.

If i were in your situation, i would definetely choose to go to a PA school. I saw you are interested in surgery or dermatology. I used to work in surgery, and they prefer to hire PAs over NPs. I even know a PA who is a former nurse. She was a circulator and then chose a PA school for her advanced degree. Good luck!

What career are you pursuing now?

[Reaz, BSN]

49 minutes ago, ThePrincessBride said:

Not saying there isn't anything wrong with switching your mind, but from the sounds of your first post, you seemed as though you were surprised or unaware of the schedule nurses have, which is common knowledge.

And if you know exactly what you want, then what was the point of this thread?

Advice on whether NP or PA would be better based on my experience. They both take on a very similar role but have very different curriculums. That’s what I’m asking.

[Reaz, BSN]

56 minutes ago, Green Tea, RN said:

If you do not like nursing, it is okay to leave. I found nursing was not for me, and I'm on my way to the exit (I go to school and work as a nurse part time). From my observation, nurses complain about their job, but majority of them just do not leave. I personally cannot do that.

If i were in your situation, i would definetely choose to go to a PA school. I saw you are interested in surgery or dermatology. I used to work in surgery, and they prefer to hire PAs over NPs. I even know a PA who is a former nurse. She was a circulator and then chose a PA school for her advanced degree. Good luck!

I totally agree, I find myself complaining so much, and I am not like that normally! I don’t like my attitude at work.

I am leaning towards PA because of those reasons you mentioned. Thanks for the comment!!

[Mini2544, ASN, RN]

15 hours ago, Reaz said:

Yes I knew exactly what I was getting myself into it. How was I supposed to know I didn’t like it before actually doing it for 6 months? I didn’t mind it when I shadowed, I didn’t mind it when I had to do it for a couple weeks in clinical, but after having a job and doing it repetitively as a career I realized I didn’t. There’s nothing wrong with not liking it, especially considering how many people don’t and go back to school/switch jobs, etc. This is why it’s hard to keep people at the bedside. It’s not for everyone and that’s fine.

I have done more research about NP/PA school than you wanna know about, including shadowing. I know exactly what I want. Thanks for the advice though.

I absolutely understand what you’re going through. I went though a similar experience when I first started bedside nursing. It just wasn’t for me. School doesn’t prepare you for all the short comings of hospitals and ratios etc. who wants to work in a field where it’s acceptable and encouraged to work 12 straight hours without a break or lunch. I always roll my eyes at some of the posters on here who act like all nurses need to pay their dues and put up with crap hours and work conditions.

I found a nursing job that is wonderful and I don’t have any of the same issues I did before working ICU bedside nursing. However, if you’re wanting to go to an advanced care route... I would say PA. Especially if you like derm and surgery! It is pricey and you can’t work but you can pay off those loans after a few years working and your sanity and happiness is most important.

good luck on picking a new path!

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

Do you work with both NPs and PAs? Do you like the approach of one discipline over the other? The basic difference is the nursing model vs the medical model. I think that the PA programs I am familiar with have much more technical aspects to the curriculum. In my hospital almost all PAs are hired through out surgical services and are responsible for thinks like central lines, chest tubes, surgery consults, etc. The NP education is often more rooted in nursing theory education and has some skills with it, but in my hospital there aren't any NPs doing the same invasive procedures as the PAs. They are usually admitting hospitalists and specialist NPs.

For what it's worth (you might not think it's much), the reason it's often good to have at least a few years of nursing experience is that the NP role will be largely based in your assessment skills. After six months even if you're doing very well, you are still a novice nurse. Adding the additional aspects of NP education without having a strong base could potentially be a big challenge.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

In the meantime, while you’re deciding and/or pursuing advanced practice: Get a different nursing job. You don’t have to “pay your dues” in a job you hate. I work in an outpatient clinic— no nights, weekends, or holidays. Yes I’m not “getting experience at the bedside” but since I don’t want to work bedside, why would I? Look into clinics or other options before you decide you dislike all RN jobs.

[HhnurseNP]

If you want to be more autonomous and perform more "skills", try home health. RNs in home health have to develop assessment skills, have to rely on their own ability to perform all labs, IVs, foley, complex wound care all while being creative because you do not have the luxury of a controlled environment. Charting can be intimidating, but much more flexibility.

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

On 10/1/2019 at 10:40 PM, Reaz said:

What are your thoughts on PA verse NP with my situation?? (I am NOT willing to wait longer to gain more experience as a nurse, 1 year, 1.5 years is max for me.)

One thing you probably should consider is whether you would ever want autonomy to practice independently. NPs are far ahead in that respect. If you want to work in acute-care forever and don't care whether you have to work under MDs, PA might be a better route. But you might end up with the same type of hospital shifts and are pushed to do oncall duties.

If you choose PA, you might have to take some extra courses, which means you'll have to stay working as a RN longer.

IMO, in the real world there isn't a whole lot of difference between PAs and NPs. PAs might have an advantage in some settings, but overall the two aren't that different especially if you're a smart and motivated learner. I would suggest going to a well-reputed program if you were to choose NP program.

I hate working weekends too. Unfortunately during the first half of my PMHNP program I worked every weekend. It's terrible.

[beachbabe86]

I would be tempted to go the path of becoming a PA. However, if you were to look at applicants v.acceptances, the real difficulty is getting admitted. I believe it is required to have healthcare experience as well as top notch grades somewhat on the lines of a medical school admission.

Best of luck

[beachbabe86]

On 10/1/2019 at 9:48 PM, Reaz said:

Doing something in derm/surgery excites me so much I can't even wait to start pursing that kind of career (hence why I am SO eager to get out of nursing)!!

Derm PAs make a nice salary with excellent working conditions and hours.

[harvestmoon, RN]

Have you considered CRNA or there is a specialty in nursing of being 1st something in surgery - I can't remember exactly - but you're doing the surgery along wiht the surgeon. It is a specialty within nursing and there are Fs and Ns in the certification. Sorry, ? that's what I remember. At any rate, both should have better hours and more handson stuff, more "medical" than "nursing" stuff.

Or become a PA.

I am thinking you're not going to be happy as an NP.