NP considering leaving practice

[rn_patrick, NP]

Hello everyone:

About 1 1/2 years ago I submitted:

https://allnurses.com/advanced-practice-nursing/np-leaving-while-1079070.html

I made it to January, gave notice. About 1 week after I left I interviewed for a Locums position at a similar type job. Was accepted and worked there for 6 months 3 days/wk. They wanted to hire. I declined. I also was getting a little tired/frustrated with the practice by the end.

I went and did some non-nursing things out of the country. They called me in January and asked if I wanted to come back for a Locums because the person they hired when I left quit. I needed enough hours like I said to get to 1000 hours for my 2022 renewal anyway.

This place is typically 12 patients a day which is low for psych visits from what I am seeing here and talking to others. The clinic made another offer, and then they offered to extend another 13 weeks. I've been stalling on saying no because I want to do it graciously.

I have concerns about this practice and like the last job they want and need to hire 2 full time NP's to meet their current patient volume. Like last post someone said "And where do they plan on finding them?" The hospital had better benefits, PTO, and pay and they had trouble hiring. This place is not going to find two APN's easily.

I'm 6 weeks in and I was short with the receptionist on Tuesday when management closed the office early for snow. That I have to sit down and apologize to her. I'm also again getting frustrated with this practice. There are some liability issues mostly from not having enough providers to see them.

The question is: This keeps happening where I keep no matter where I go getting frustrated about the staffing and patient followups. This is my 2nd community mental health clinic though. Being understaffed, underpaid, and under resourced is part of the role.

I have had periods of the hospital job where I liked it. I know I am not good at "Sitting in a box" for 40 hours a week seeing patients. I also like work/life balance and I'm wary of those 50-60 a week NP positions. I work quickly but I'm not a "5 minute doc" like some of my former colleagues.

I don't want to leave practice but I am in a place where I can semi-retire. The ACA did not get repealed by the current administration so as long as I make less than 50K a year (part time) I can get affordable coverage. I did this last year. At the end of this contract my licenses are secure until 2028 since I have the hours for the 2022 renewal. At that point I should be able to retire fully.

I also think there is a lot of good that I and we as NP's can accomplish and having licenses to prescribe medications is not a thing to be casually discarded.

I could use some advice as in books, articles, or other ideas to move forward.