Please Help Me Psych Myself

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Hi, I wonder if you can help me figure out the pros and cons of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. If so, what types are most in demand?

What qualities do you think make a person a good NP, besides being a great student and hard worker? I guess you have to like and care about people and enjoy interacting with them. You have to have good rapport with people and be respectful of their views and their ability or inability/unwillingness to comply with your prescribed care. What else?

I'm just not sure if I want to do it but, really, I don't want to do anything! Except relax, be retired, and play. Of course, I can't afford that and I'm still fairly young and will work another 15 years or more.

Who are potential employers? Are there plenty of jobs? It seems like so many NP's don't actually work as NP's. They are still in their jobs that they held before becoming NP's, it seems, and the schools just keep cranking them out, mass production. I would think NP's will be in demand with the passing of the new health care legislation but I'm not real sure why I think that.

I could go to school full-time for at least the first year, as my job grants sabbaticals for those who want to go back to school. I have no young children at home, I have good transportation, and I think I can easily find a clinical spot or 2.

So, what do you think? Thanks for your input.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Are you already a nurse?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Are you already a nurse?

Yes, with 2+ decades of varied experience.

[gtoko]

Go for it!! It sounds as if you have the motivation to do so:)

Good luck to you

[VivaRN]

I've been an NP for almost 2 years. I know there are a lot with more experience, but I'll take a stab at your questions.

Most in demand: depends on what clinical area you want to work in? On the outpatient side most would say FNP as it has the broadest scope of practice. Inpatient is a whole other conversation and I can elaborate if that's what you're thinking.

Qualities: what makes a good nurse PLUS willing to own the responsibility (and for some the accompanied stress) of being in the provider role. Also willing to start out as a novice after being an experienced nurse.

Potential employers: again, depends on the clinical area. Free clinics, private practice, hospitals, outpatient specialty clinics, student health, LTC, school-based clinic, clinical research, urgent care. Surplus of NP's working as RN's could be your area of the country or a tight job market where NP's without RN experience have more trouble finding jobs. Some also find that 12 hours shifts work better than 9-5, they don't like the provider role, can make more $$ as an RN, or that a good RN job is better than a bad NP job (think patient mill) and stay put in the absence of a good opportunity.

One thing I ask myself when considering things like this is, will I regret it if I don't do it?

Good luck! You sound well-prepared if this is what you decide.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Gee, I really was hoping for some help. Anybody? Thanks.

[VivaRN]

Maybe try the NP forum (under specialty - advanced practice)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Kooky, from a newbie's point of view...

I was lucky to have a soon to be NP as a preceptor for a day in ICU when I was doing my management weeks in school. She still stands out in my mind. She is calm but definitely a "force"-- you can feel the aura. She won't give orders. She will totally enfold you as her partner in crime. She will confidently and quickly decide the labs are crap, pick up her phone and summon MDs to her side and give them the new dx/tx. They will listen intently, nod, and immediately carry out her plan of action. Nobody whines when she is running the show. She makes nurses/techs/Docs feel confident that when she is around, everything will be OK.

Now she is who I compare all to. Even docs.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Many thanks to all. I do appreciate your input and responses. I think I'm going to go for it.