Regret leaving the bedside?

Trauma Columnist · Jul 11, 2016

I'm definitely in the minority here on AN but yes, I regret it every single day. I was in ER RN in a level one trauma center and loved loved loved the chaos, never knowing what would come thru the door, having to be on top of my game at all times.

I've been an APN for 10 years now and although the money is good, the hours are pretty good, I'm not as challenged as I was and really have to work to stay up on knowledge....

Jules A, MSN · Jul 11, 2016

and really have to work to stay up on knowledge....

A bit of a hijack but what a great point and exactly why I intend to retire in my early 60s. Its difficult to stay current and so sad to see older prescribers of all disciplines who aren't able to remain on top of things.

allnurses Guide · Jul 11, 2016

You need to be very conscious about burnout especially in your first few years of practice. The role is stressful and involves a lot of hours and responsibility but it's also very rewarding.

anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jul 11, 2016

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I know I'll probably miss the fast pace of the ICU but I think this is the right direction for me

allnurses Guide · Jul 11, 2016

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I know I'll probably miss the fast pace of the ICU but I think this is the right direction for me

Primary care has a different type of fast pace and a different set of challenges. You'll stay plenty busy :)

babyNP., APRN · Jul 12, 2016

I work in-patient ICU (NICU) and don't regret leaving bedside for one second.

The best part of the job was talking to parents & feeding babies- both of which I still get to do, although the former is something I do on a daily basis and latter whenever I have extra time on my hands.

jaznia15 · Jul 12, 2016

There are a lot more politics when it comes to being a provider than I would've thought. As a RN, you know your duties and do what you are assigned for 12 hours then go home. I had a bad experience with primary care for my first job. I was left alone in a practice as a new grad and was sold a dream which was not fulfilled. The office had been sold by my supervising MD to a "pain" clinic doc who only was out for the bottom line. Needless to say when the owning doc realized the practice wasn't a cash cow, he closed shop. My friend just lost her job this year in the same situation. She basically ran the practice for 2 years with little training as the doc said her preceptorship was enough and didn't give her any training time. She flourished but unfortunately the practice was a rural town with mostly Medicaid/medicare patients. She went to work one day and was told with the rest of the staff at the staff meeting that the office was closing!!! My current position is with the state. I treat HIV infected inmates and after about 6 months, the challenge was gone. Specializing in just a specific disease is very non-challenging after you learn the medication guidelines. My biggest challenge some days is just arguing with non-compliant inmates who refuse to take medications for various reason (usually manipulation to get what they want). I have posted in here about my issues with the job now that they want me to take over a new Hepatitis C clinic for no reimbursement. Unfortunately some people (administrators included) cannot get over the "nurse" in NP and think they can delegate new duties as if they are not making money off your care. At this point, I am not necessarily over NP...but I would love to return to the hospital settings. I am looking at jobs in the ER or even working as a hospitalist. I like working at an hourly wage and having the opportunity to make more money by picking up extra shifts. I really wish I had jumped aboard the new group which took over my hospital's ER. They paid $85/hr and only required 10 shifts per month to be full time. If Monday-Friday jobs interest you then go for it, but really negotiate your salary. Overtime is not paid to "exempt" employees and I know several NPs putting in 50+ hours per week. One NP who works in an outpatient practice said he was immediately reprimanded for leaving early one day after his clinic was over. He says he definitely puts in more than 40 hours per week but was told he needed to put in PTO time if he leaves early.

anchorRN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jul 12, 2016

There are a lot more politics when it comes to being a provider than I would've thought. As a RN, you know your duties and do what you are assigned for 12 hours then go home. I had a bad experience with primary care for my first job. I was left alone in a practice as a new grad and was sold a dream which was not fulfilled. The office had been sold by my supervising MD to a "pain" clinic doc who only was out for the bottom line. Needless to say when the owning doc realized the practice wasn't a cash cow, he closed shop. My friend just lost her job this year in the same situation. She basically ran the practice for 2 years with little training as the doc said her preceptorship was enough and didn't give her any training time. She flourished but unfortunately the practice was a rural town with mostly Medicaid/medicare patients. She went to work one day and was told with the rest of the staff at the staff meeting that the office was closing!!! My current position is with the state. I treat HIV infected inmates and after about 6 months, the challenge was gone. Specializing in just a specific disease is very non-challenging after you learn the medication guidelines. My biggest challenge some days is just arguing with non-compliant inmates who refuse to take medications for various reason (usually manipulation to get what they want). I have posted in here about my issues with the job now that they want me to take over a new Hepatitis C clinic for no reimbursement. Unfortunately some people (administrators included) cannot get over the "nurse" in NP and think they can delegate new duties as if they are not making money off your care. At this point, I am not necessarily over NP...but I would love to return to the hospital settings. I am looking at jobs in the ER or even working as a hospitalist. I like working at an hourly wage and having the opportunity to make more money by picking up extra shifts. I really wish I had jumped aboard the new group which took over my hospital's ER. They paid $85/hr and only required 10 shifts per month to be full time. If Monday-Friday jobs interest you then go for it, but really negotiate your salary. Overtime is not paid to "exempt" employees and I know several NPs putting in 50+ hours per week. One NP who works in an outpatient practice said he was immediately reprimanded for leaving early one day after his clinic was over. He says he definitely puts in more than 40 hours per week but was told he needed to put in PTO time if he leaves early.

Thank you for your thorough reply. I'm definitely not a fan of working 50+ hrs/wk, i'm doing that now with the Navy. I"m just wondering what kind of job would require those type of hours? clinic setting?

orangepink, NP · Jul 12, 2016

I don't miss the physical side of bedside nursing (ie lifting, foleys, obtaining stool samples etc) but being a RN has different burden of responsibility which personally is easier to bear with experience.

also like a previous post said, the level of office politics as a provider is different.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 12, 2016

No, I never missed bedside care. The decision, for me, was the right one and I spent many years reinventing myself along the way in my APRN career.

I totally agree with trauma and Jules about keeping current in all things related to what I (we) do as an NP and finally recognizing and making the all-important decision to step away when the time comes.

The replies from everyone are very good and really hit the nail on the head in regards to politics, burnout, and overall satisfaction.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 13, 2016

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my years working as a floor nurse I have zero regrets since becoming a NP. My experience has been excellent with regard to my treatment, compensation and being welcomed into the fold by my physician colleagues. The politics as a RN were far more precarious than anything now as a NP because I'm sheltered by being a member of the medical staff. It is harder than I could have ever imagined but I'm making over twice what I made as a RN and I love the autonomy.