Direct entry NP, switch to bedside RN?

Specialties NP

Published

This might be a bit of a unique situation, but I'm hoping for some advice or personal anecdotes of similar situations.

I graduated from a direct entry NP program (biology BS degree -> RN -> MSN) 6.5y ago. In other words, I only have RN experience from my clinicals, not from working as an RN. BTW, I'm not asking for any judgment on that piece. :)

I have been quite successfully working as a family nurse practitioner in a busy family practice clinic for the past 6y. I really enjoy my patients, but I am SO. BURNED. OUT. I work all day, and then go home and work on charting, refills, etc paperwork in the evening and on weekends. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and it is a tendency I haven't been able to break, and it is ruining me in this career. I have a few nights per month on call. I never feel like I am "off of work," EVER.

About 6mo ago I added a per diem job as a SANE RN (sexual assault nurse examiner). Despite the unfortunate circumstances that bring these patients in to the hospital, I really enjoy that job.

Recently I've been considering the idea of giving up my NP career (as I am getting somewhat closer to paying off my 6-figure loan) in favor of becoming a bedside nurse. In particular, I really think I would enjoy L&D nursing. I don't see any way of getting into it though, since I don't have floor experience as an RN. There are some local hospitals that have specialty residency programs, but they will only take RN's who graduated within the past year. I definitely need more teaching/experience before I could do the work.

And yes, I've considered going back for midwifery degree. Just don't have tens of thousands more dollars to do it!

Any advice? Am I just crazy?

Thank you reading my long post, and for any and all advice!

Specializes in peds.

I'm not 100 percent but I think if you are sued you are held to your highest liscense. So if anything happens at the bedside they can say you should have known because your a licensed np.

You are definitely burned out with your current job. Being a RN isn't easy either, you get burned out as well, underappreciated, overworked, you end up getting involved in nursing politics and then you also have to deal with medication errors. Even the most careful and meticulous nurse makes medication errors and then you deal with these feelings of HUGE guilt that you administered the medication incorrectly which could have an impact in your patient's care/life. YOu also get less pay. NPs don't have to deal with that as much.

My suggestion: go on vacation, get a different job. There are jobs out there where you see less than 16 patients a day and you just have to find them. Some may pay less but you may find out that it might be the right fit for you.

IF you aren't willing to commit to a perm job; I highly suggest traveling so you can see different kinds of practices and also have control on your days off. There are pros and cons to this. I used to travel but now I'm settling to a perm. I found my perm job through traveling. I also suggest traveling out of state; you never know what interesting fun things you land on.

Specializes in medical surgical.

I understand. However, I agree with the other posters. Stay with your NP title. Take time off for YOURSELF. Find something else you enjoy. Work with underserved women in an inner city location. From what you posted, could be a good fit. I am sure they would love to have you. One of my classmates worked with the HIV population in a clinic situation. I spent time on an HIV floor and it was tremendously rewarding to me. I am someone who is not really motivated by money. I NEED to feel that I am making a difference in the lives of my patients. If you are close to paying off your loans you are doing better than most and you should feel really good about that!!

Specializes in labor & delivery.

I'm a former labor & delivery RN, and I am almost finished with my FNP. I can tell you from my family clinical experiences, I am not interested in taking a family position because of all the reasons you list. I thought I would be so over women's health, but I find that I enjoy my OB clinicals more than any others so far. There is still a lot to know and do, but it is more focused than family. Most of the OB offices in my area hire FNP's as well as WHNP's. Labor and delivery burned me out in about 2 years. Very high stress at my facility. Maybe you could shadow a nurse practitioner in an OB office? Or any other type of NP? I agree that you probably need a vacation/break to catch your breath. With your FNP, there are many other areas you can try. Hang in there. :)

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