NP but decided not to practice

Specialties NP

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I am wondering if anyone here has finished NP school but decided not to practice as an NP...

I have just finished an FNP program at a top-rated school. During the FNP program, I just felt like I did not love what I was doing and always felt like I didn't know enough. While my classmates seemed so confident, I always felt uneasy and anxious.

I have been on multiple interviews now (women's health, primary care offices, specialty clinics i.e. pain, dialysis) and I can't imagine myself working on my own and seeing my own patients. I know that there is some on the job training involved but the clinics all seem to expect their NPs (even new grad ones) to know what they are doing.

I have also interviewed for an RN position and have been offered the job - it's a Clinic RN Case Manager position which is what I was doing previous to NP school. I know I can do it and I would feel comfortable doing it... I want to take it but I also feel like such a failure accepting the RN job!

has anyone else completed the NP program and decided not to practice voluntarily (not because they couldn't find a job)?

Thanks for any insight, experiences anyone can share

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Jasil,

Are you aware that there are poor medical schools as well?

Even better, are you aware of FMGs? Those are foreign medical graduates.

There are good and bad schools in all professions.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

We have a bunch of NPs (like 6 or 7) who work as staff RNs in our SICU. The reason given is that they couldn't take the drop in pay were they to take an NP job.

One who works night shift with me told me that she would take a $20K / year pay cut to work as an NP.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Must be pretty bad pay where you are.

The average FNP pay is around 90k

The average CRNA pay is around 180k

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.
That's my point NP Student.......you sound like you are going to a good school as did Zenman.

Now if you search around you'll see the horror stories of the opposite being true that is my gripe. You don't really know what you're getting so to speak. That is why I hope the model changes and it will only benefit the student and the patient.

I apologize if it sounded like I was "bashing" NP's that is not the case. I just think the system needs a overall in a big way.....with these fly by night questionble programs need to be scutinized.

You may not have intended to insult the NP profession, but I'm afraid your words came off as just that, insulting. We are here trying to build each other up, not tear each other down. From the beginning, you assumed the OP was attending an online program and that she did not get enough clinical hours. You also assumed that all NP programs are like your wife's. The OP did not post her thread for such negativity. She posted for support and understanding, not to have have her education bashed and her profession insulted.

I have worked with MDs/DOs that I wouldn't let take care of my dog let alone myself or a family member. I have had to run codes when I had 3 MDs in the room who had no idea what to do. Do I turn around and judge all MD/DOs based upon the interactions with them? No, I don't. Some people chose to never stop learning and I value working with professionals who believe in that.

It is hard to work hard at reaching your goals only to have have someone poopoo your profession and education. I don't know what school your wife is attending but admission to NP programs have become very competitive. I have 7 yrs ICU experience, CCRN certification and a 3.4 GPA for my BSN (from a Big 10 school) and 3.5 GPA for my ADN. I have been denied admission to the 1st two schools I have applied to, one being an online program. To hear someone who doesn't have any personal clinical/medical/nursing experience make such judgements and criticisms is insulting, IMHO. Maybe you should post those comments on the boards and blogs you've referenced where I'm sure they will be more than welcome. I'm not saying NP programs do not have their deficiencies but I am saying I don't think you are in any place to judge them on this board.

Thankfully, I work with board certified intensivists and surgeons who appreciate my contributions to the healthcare team. They have offered nothing but encouragment to me while I reach for my goals. Not one of them have made comments anywhere close to the negative posts you've posted on this nursing site. I look forward to my continued collaboration with such qualified members of the critical care team when I complete an ANCP program.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Must be pretty bad pay where you are.

The average FNP pay is around 90k

The average CRNA pay is around 180k

*** NPs in this area only start at around $80K working for the medical center. CRNAs start at pretty close to the the number you stated above with call pay adding another $20-30K for CRNA. Most all the staff RNs who have 5-10 years or more of ICU experience are making over $100K.

Most of the people I know who went to NP school and actually work as NPs did it for the Mon-Fri day schedual.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.
*** NPs in this area only start at around $80K working for the medical center. CRNAs start at pretty close to the the number you stated above with call pay adding another $20-30K for CRNA. Most all the staff RNs who have 5-10 years or more of ICU experience are making over $100K.

Most of the people I know who went to NP school and actually work as NPs did it for the Mon-Fri day schedual.

Wow, I need to move!!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Wow, I need to move!!

*** If you are a good and skilled ICU nurse come on over. 5 openings in SICU right now. PM me if you want more info.

PS I am just a staff nurse and not in managment or anything.

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Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

Thanks, I will!

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We have a bunch of NPs (like 6 or 7) who work as staff RNs in our SICU. The reason given is that they couldn't take the drop in pay were they to take an NP job.

One who works night shift with me told me that she would take a $20K / year pay cut to work as an NP.

So, she's working the night shift, bummer. I do days only, no call, made $120k straight out of school, car allowance, free housing, sit down and talk to people all day, an hour for lunch...yep I'd go back to the bedside in a heart beat....not!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
So, she's working the night shift, bummer. I do days only, no call, made $120k straight out of school, car allowance, free housing, sit down and talk to people all day, an hour for lunch...yep I'd go back to the bedside in a heart beat....not!

*** That is fantastic. I believe that if an NP could start at $120K here there would be very few working as bedise ICU nurses. I am very encouraged that you an an NP make that kind of money. I would love to hear more about your job.

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The NP's I work with make over $50/hr + benefits. As a staff nurse after 10 yrs of licensure (comparable to the NP's), I now make $40/hr per diem (no benefits; started at $24/hr + benefits). Seattle area.

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Another thing to consider is the big shift from bedside to provider. A physician told me this very day that he was glad to have a colleague working with him!

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