NP working as RN

Specialties NP

Published

I have seen a number of NP's working as RN's on the floor at the hospital I work. One of them told me she did not like working as an NP because of the doctors, and another said she worked as an RN to suppliment her income. Is this normal everywhere? Just curious to know how many of you dont like working as NP's, or went back to the floor working as RN's after obtaining your NP license. Or just dont make enough to work strictly as NP's.

I work in a teaching hospital where continuing education is highly valued. I approximate that 3 out of 20 nurses is in a mastesr program or well on their way, yet when they graduate most of them still work as RN's. So what do you think of this?

I completely agree with you on this one. Even though I'm practicing as a NP, I can still get the best of both worlds. I never hesitate and actually enjoy helping RN's when it comes to bedside stuff from turning or repositioning patients, setting up hemodynamic monitoring equipment and lines, drawing labs, starting IV's, checking blood products, the list goes on. Our nurses never ask us to do these, instead, many of us volunteer to help especially when we see that the nurses are overwhelmed. And we get a lot of appreciation and thanks for doing these stuff. One nice thing about being an APN's is that we know what RN's do, some of the PA's and the residents we work with have had little exposure to some of the technical aspects of ICU care like we did.

Advanced Practice "Registered Nurse"..... I am still a nurse through and through. When I make rounds and the nurse in the room needs help, I help.

Also unfortunately one does not escape butts with an advance degree (i.e. digital exam)..:eek:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

LOL - I was thinking that one too....

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No. I heard nurses were oversaturated in Austin as well. I live in Houston, working in the Med Center. I'm quite happy with my pay, would like more if I advanced my degree. I just don't see it to be worth it to be a FNP in my area. $10,000 is a lot of money, but not worth all the stress and schooling the job comes with. I'd seriously start thinking about it when the starting salary comes close to $100,000.

"Also, education is always a good thing, regardless of $. Knowledge truly does equal power. NPs command much more respect and generally have an overall better lifestyle. Sometimes you have to look at the entire picture."

Yes. I know knowledge is power regardless of money, but how much money and time would I spend on grad school??? I want to be compensated well for my education. If employers don't realize this, there will be a decrease of FNP's as well as nurses. I have to take into account my future compensation with more education, prices on everything are going up and I want to live comfortably and have more $$$ to put in the bank. I don't see things going to well for FNP's in my area. Some hospitals are having problems hiring them. If I were to go the NP route it would probaly be Acute care NP. I like the ICU and would like to do procedures. I'm a more technical person. I'm getting contradictory information about the two specialties though.

I just interviewed for a job in Houston and the base pay is $90,000 plus quarterly bonuses (based on patient satisfaction surveys) that average $2,500. They are offering a $10,000 sign on bonus with incredible benefits...4 weeks paid vacation, 7 days paid CME, 7 days sick leave, 401K, malpractice, life, medical, etc, etc. The hours are M-F 8-5 and no call. The NP/PA will only see elderly patients and can expect to see a maximum of 18 per day, but usually 14 per day. The focus is on preventative care and keeping the patients out of the hospital! So, there really ARE good jobs out there! I suggest contacting a headhunter...that's how I found out about this one.

There's also another one with a starting base of $115,000 to $130,000 and it's with one of those surgical bariatric clinics. You basically do pre-op & post-op assessments. The pre-op assessments includes getting the patients to lose weight before surgery (don't remember all the specifics). Anyway, it also offered great benefits. If you're looking for a job that pays over 100K per year, then you're living in the right city. Unfortunately, these jobs aren't listed in the classifieds.

Something else, someone from Houston told me a lot of those urgent care clinics are paying $60+ per hour...is that true?

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i agree i will never forget where i came from! I dont believe anything is beneath me!!!

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Specializes in ER, PM, Oncology, Management.

I guess I am one of the few that doesn't feel that money is everything. I know some RN's that make more than me, but they also work weekends, holidays, nights and take call. I do none of those things and I make decent money.

I was recently offered a position in a Fast Track ER making $55/hour working 11a-11p with rotating weekends. The money is appealing, but with a 4 year old at home, my family time is more important to me than money. Maybe when he's older I will take on something like that, but for now, I'm happy with my current salary.:wink2:

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I guess I am one of the few that doesn't feel that money is everything. I know some RN's that make more than me, but they also work weekends, holidays, nights and take call. I do none of those things and I make decent money.

I was recently offered a position in a Fast Track ER making $55/hour working 11a-11p with rotating weekends. The money is appealing, but with a 4 year old at home, my family time is more important to me than money. Maybe when he's older I will take on something like that, but for now, I'm happy with my current salary.:wink2:

My children are grown, but if they were young I would never be able to do what I'm doing now. Kids are only young once, so enjoy it while you can!

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