PumpkinEater

I totally agree. I had them print my ID badge with only "NP". Simple. Clear.

I encourage any RN who asks to get an NP. It's less emotionally and physically stressful, more fulfilling, more intellectually engaging, tons of people have your back (e.g. nurses, pharmacists, etc.), it generally pays better and you get more respect.

Interesting question. Sorry to hear you were laid off. Was that as a result of COVID? If you're already practicing as an NP I bet you could make the jump to acute care without putting in time as a bedside RN. Not all acute care NPs have hard skills in ICU (lines, drips, vents) right off the bat but make a gradual transition over the course of several years. If, for example, you started in an outpatient clinic affiliated with a major medical center you could eventually find a role in an outpatient surgical clinic, transition to seeing inpatients on said service with a preceptor and then seeing patients in the ICU with the team performing basic tasks. If you excel at this you will, by that point, have enough "street cred" and experience to join an ICU team and start training with one of their NPs. All along the way you can be getting continuing education, attending conferences and, maybe, getting a post masters degree part time (e.g. AGACNP). All without having to go back to the bedside.

Medscape

I worked as an RN for about 3 year before getting an MSN. I currently work as an NP in Neurosurgery. Although I miss the RN schedule (i.e. getting 8 days off in a row every month!) work as an NP has been far more fulfilling. You have to think much more critically as an NP and you get more respect.

I don't often check this site but saw your question and thought I'd offer my perspective. I got my ACNP in 2011 and started work as an NP with a Neurosurgery department several months later at a Level 1 trauma center. I think ACNP is the way to go. I'm not sure which degree would be most useful with the impending "Consensus Model" though, you'll have to do some research. In terms of my job, I round with the team in the mornings then see patients on the wards (wards only, no ICU) throughout the day, writing orders, following up consults and, primarily, trying to discharge people. About ~5% of my patient load are pediatrics on the wards. Most of my colleagues work in the clinics with no, or very little, inpatient work. I only do inpatient. If you were looking at an NP job with Neurosurgery, I'd expect full time Mon-Fri work, some clinic, some inpatient (ICU included possibly). As for the OR, well, heh, I'd be astonished if you could be involved at all. Just doesn't seem likely although I have known PAs to be first assists in Ortho, vascular, etc. Good luck, p

I ask myself these questions every day. Especially now that I've started work 40 hours a week as an NP and have a new son. As hard as bedside nursing is (i.e. obscene amounts of charting, stool, drugs to administer, etc.) it does offer a pretty awesome schedule. As an RN I would work 3 then take off 8 days every month! That's more vacation than some people get in a year. If you'd like to plan on traveling with your family or doing overnight camping trips, etc. it can't be beat. Also, I think it depends somewhat on your temperament. Frankly, I'd stick with nursing. Give it a good 5 years and see how it fits your life.

When you think of the thousands of times we pass meds it's just not possible NOT to goof from time to time (especially when you consider the pressure we're under to move fast). As you gain experience you'll begin to recognize circumstances when errors are more likely to occur. In fact, research into the psychology of performance often shows that people who are more up front about when they make a mistake (in whatever capacity) actually know their limitations more intimately and are, in fact, more competent. That's why I'm so leery of nurses who come to these forums proclaiming they've made their "first" med error after years on the floor. Yeah right!

I had a BA in literature from a 4 year university and decided to pursue nursing. Possibilities exist if you just want to get your RN or are interested in pursuing an advanced (e.g. NP) degree. My path involved 5 semesters of prerequisites at a local community college. After that I had the option of a) getting my A.D. at the community college (another 2 years) b) entering one of two 3 year direct-entry master's programs or c) going to an 18-month accelerated BSN program. I chose the direct-entry master's program. I've been working 2 years as a med-surg RN and will be going back to school in the fall to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. As for potential employers doubting the readiness of accelerated program graduates, I would not let that dissuade you. Indeed, I found my classmates in the direct-entry program (12 months to get our RN!) as some of the most ambitious, intelligent and savvy folks I've met yet. Many had years of previous professional experience and graduate level educations. That being said, the market for new grads is particularly cool at moment. But I'm sure the trend will have reversed itself yet again once you have those letters after your name.

I also have my toes at the end of the diving board for an advanced practice degree (ACNP) so I'd also appreciate hearing what NPs out there have to say about their decision to go through the extra schooling. Are you more satisfied with life/work as an NP vs as an RN? I'm a pretty fresh nurse and I like the free time (i.e. 4 days off a week) that nursing affords me to pursue other interests as well as the ease of "leaving work at work" as an RN. But I also look forward to the ability to make more defining decisions as an NP. So, as the previous poster asked, any regrets?

What ACNP program are you in Ghillbert? I'm planning on starting an ACNP program this fall and, by then, will have about 2 years of med/surg under my belt. One question I've been asking myself lately is not so much whether I'll survive the program as whether future employers will doubt my suitability as a candidate due to my lack of critical care/ED experience. Will they?

I have a question about one's previous experience as an RN and how it influences likely clinical placements in an ACNP program and, ultimately, job options. For example, I got into nursing through a master's entry program and am slated to start the ACNP master's portion next fall. By that point I'll have about 2 years med/surg experience. It seems like every ACNP I talk to had years of ED or ICU experience before getting to where they are today. Will I be bumping up against a glass ceiling as I start my career because of this lack of experience? Any advice appreciated.