Regret Becoming an NP

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After working as a nurse for four years, I went to NP school. Most of my RN experience was in psych, and I thought about becoming a psych NP, but with the advice of peers, decided to become an FNP, since I was told it would be a more useful, fulfilling, and marketable degree. I felt fortunate when I received a job offer two months after graduation. There are so many NP's here in Boston, and the job market is competitive! I stayed at my first job for 11 months, during which time I became miserable and burnt out. I took a couple months off and just started a new job, but I don't feel confident that I'll be happy.

I'm applying to PhD programs right now. For awhile, I've known that I'd like to teach and do research. I now wish that I'd just stayed an RN and proceeded with the PhD. The NP program cost a lot, and now I'm paying it off! Colleagues have given me positive feedback on my work, but I have yet to feel good about the work I've done, or happy as an NP.

I'm wondering if there are other NP's, especially newer NP's, who feel the same way?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

We are seeing more of this and I suspect it will only increase as the schools continue to sell the line of goods that staying for a few additional years and fattening their wallets is a fantastic idea. It is unfortunate because it seems many didn't explore the actual role before spending thousands of dollars and investing years of their time on this career path. Look at some of the posts from actual NP students who have no idea about the scope, hours, attire or salary.

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The attire?

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

I think there is a huge amount of cost-counting that needs to happen when considering whether or not to pursue the NP role.

I always wince at the thought of someone who became an NP and then wasn't happy. I'd think that would be a huge disappointment.

I'm sorry the OP is finding herself in this position.

Thank you for sharing this here. I think we need more of these posts to help people really sort out what this role entails and if it will be worth it for them.

I hope you can find a way to redeem your education and experience. I'm sure you will - there are still lots of things you can do even if you are not strictly practicing as an NP.

Best wishes.

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I'm in a somewhat similar situation. I loved bedside nursing, but I also really liked the role of NP. I love volunteering at free clinics because my appointments can be as long as the patient requires, but I don't love the push to just get patients in an out in a paid position. So I do like the role, but it can feel a bit pointless to me sometimes. I am also considering going back for a post-master's certificate or a PhD.

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Can you give me some examples of why it feels pointless? I'm currently a home health nurse looking to become a NP in Geriatrics. Thank you.

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Totally understand

Job 1: Glorified nurse

- MD looked at all labs, XRs and nurse documentation and then placed all orders and made all changes while I was expected to do physical assessments and write the notes

Job 2 (Sx specialty)

Glorified Scribe :

- Thought i'd Get great hands on procedures and ICU exposure since that's my background... NOPE! Expected to notify MD of all issues to obtain verbal orders and babysit the pager for "notify provider calls" and expected to see patients and write note before any information like labs and xrs are done ... O and for consults I just stand there while the MD talks to and assesses the patient in order to write the notes

Seriously wish I didn't spend money to go back to school (especially to spend 4yrs on a dual cert) considering just working in a damn fast track or urgent care ... did I mention Job #2 is a 2 hr commute one way so I have to pay rent to stay there for my shifts?

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AnonymousACNPCAG said:
Totally understand

Job 1: Glorified nurse

- MD looked at all labs, XRs and nurse documentation and then placed all orders and made all changes while I was expected to do physical assessments and write the notes

Job 2 (Sx specialty)

Glorified Scribe :

- Thought i'd Get great hands on procedures and ICU exposure since that's my background... NOPE! Expected to notify MD of all issues to obtain verbal orders and babysit the pager for "notify provider calls" and expected to see patients and write note before any information like labs and xrs are done ... O and for consults I just stand there while the MD talks to and assesses the patient in order to write the notes

Seriously wish I didn't spend money to go back to school (especially to spend 4yrs on a dual cert) considering just working in a damn fast track or urgent care ... did I mention Job #2 is a 2 hr commute one way so I have to pay rent to stay there for my shifts?

This is awful!

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There are definitely pros and cons.

I work in the Houston area and prior to becoming an NP, I worked contract as a critical care nurse and could bring home $45/hour plus all the differential (shift, weekend, OT, etc.). I know of people who make as much as $50/hour contract and have heard of as high as $55/hour.

So if you stack up the hours, you definitely can make more than a salaried NP.

But I love being a provider. It's what I fought and bled for and I now I get to make the clinical decisions that impact patients. It's great.

RN? I loved that to. But I will tell you that I don't regret having to move 600 pound patients that are comatose 20 times per shift, or miss a lot of the other drama that came with hospital based critical care.

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I'd advise anyone thinking about NP school or any school in general to HAVE A PLAN. No substitute for thinking things through in advance. State schools in Texas for FNP are dirt cheap. So target those. Then: 1) take out a loan and have a plan to have said loan written off by working for an FHQ upon graduation; 2) do well and get scholarships. I did that latter, and ended up paying about $6-8K total out of pocket for my tuition. Not too shabby when I think about. I worked full time all through my NP schooling, so it didn't set me back cash-wise. Was it difficult? (Need you even ask?)

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.
FNP_Lifer said:
There are definitely pros and cons.

I work in the Houston area

How do you like the Houston area? I have a pending offer for 5days/wk outpatient Ortho in Beaumont, TX and i don't know how the pay stacks up to the cost of living there. ($109k)

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Specializes in Cardiology, Research, Family Practice.
FNP_Lifer said:
1) take out a loan and have a plan to have said loan written off by working for an FHQ upon graduation; 2) do well and get scholarships.

I attended a brick and mortar state school as well. In-state tuition at a public school in most states is usually not too bad. While I was in school, I also worked for a hospital system that offered tuition reimbursement. It didn't cover the entire cost, but a lot of it, and I was able to complete my master's program debt free, and timed things such that I only owed one more year to the corporation after I finished.

There are also loan forgiveness programs out there for those willing to commit to underserved areas for a short time.

Obtaining an education in the US need not be the financial ball-and-chain I am constantly reading about in the news.

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Hi, i can relate to the post above. I have less than a year of experience thus far, but I feel like a 'glorified nurse' most of the time: entering orders and writing notes for the MD. I want to get involved in research but my attending prefers to work with med students/residents in this arena. Im thinking of switching to a career where I feel like there's potential for leadership position. Im grateful for my job but also quite disillusioned with the NP career. I dont think I can do this long term--but then again maybe it will get better. any advice appreciated.

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