aquaj1

Christine, I love my current job. I am in a small 5 bed ER staffed only by NP/PA's. We have physician back up, if needed. Prior to this I worked in large busy ER's as a NP and nurse. I get to see a lot of interesting things, make independent decisions and perform procedures. I think the thing that I like best about a small ER's is that everyone knows everyone and trust is built up . There is no hiding any personal/professional flaws in this type of setting. Not for everyone. Thanks...Joe...

Hi, I think you have more of a dilema than you think. I have been a N.P. for over 7 yrs. Prior to becoming an N.P. I was a LPN and RN in the ER for many years. You said that you are miserable with your current job, but really didn't state why. I currently work in a rural ER staffed by NP/PA's. I love my current job due to that autonomy, and other reasons. It's not for everyone. I previously worked in very busy ER's as a N.P., and nurse, and got burned out. It sounds like you have less than 1 yr of experience as a nurse. I don't think that this is enough time to decide whether or not you want to continue in this field. My initial response would be to advise you to get more nursing experience before you make a decision.....Joe...

Hi, I think you have more of a dilema than you think. I have been a N.P. for over 7 yrs. Prior to becoming an N.P. I was a LPN and RN in the ER for many years. You said that you are miserable with your current job, but really didn't state why. I currently work in a rural ER staffed by NP/PA's. I love my current job due to that autonomy. It's not for everyone. I previously worked in very busy ER's as a N.P. and got burned out. I need more info before I can give you advise.... Joe...

Hi, I have been a NP for seven years. The pay is all over the place. I moved from SOCAL to Rural Maine. I work in a critical access ED. I just did my taxes. Working about 50 hours a week, I made 125,000 last year. Joe...

This is in response to the ED tech considering N.P.or P.A. I am a N.P in Maine. I work in a rural E.D. This department is staffed only with NP/PA. We all do the same job. We are responsible for handling/treating anything that comes in. We have physician and anesthesia back up if needed. Prior to working in Maine I worked in CA. as a N.P., in the E.D. and family practice. As for the respondent that stated that NP's are not independent in any State. This is very untrue. There are several States that NP's have complete independent practice. This information is published in journals such as AJNP each year. Maine is a State that grants independent practice after two years of supervision. There are several practices in this State owned and run by NP's independently. As for working, you can work and do procedures in either profession. However, if you have a goal to practice independently, then you need to go to NP school and move to one of the States that grant independent practice. Thanks... Joe....