Should I quit if the job doesn't fit??

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I am miserable at my first FNP job. I've been there 3 months and have absolutely no support, the PA is a jerk and basically wants nothing to do with me, the office manager is a controlling biotch, and there's an MA who is also a total jerk. The problem is is that I work with Medicare patients and there are very few providers that take Medicare (I'm in family practice) in the small town that I live in. I feel like I have an obligation to stick it out for them, no matter how much I hate it (I am the only provider on the family care side, the other providers work on the urgent care side). I'm so torn. Should I stay and suck it up, worry about making mistakes, not having anyone to turn to? Or should I go somewhere else and risk the chance that I might end up in a job that's even worse?? I feel like I haven't even given it much of a chance. Some days I just wish I still worked at my old job as ICU RN :grumpy:

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
Doctors don't graduate and go straight into independent practice without orientation... why shouldn't an NP go straight in without support??

Sure they do. They orient to like the computer and bathroom.

When I started I got an email that said " there are really only three things to know." I was hired with "do whatever you want." Best job in America!

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But why? Why shouldn't we come out of school prepared to practice independently to the full scope of our license? Although a supportive environment would be ideal I don't think it should be expected. I have concerns the unreasonable expectations of extended orientations for new NPs hurts our credibility with physicians who expect us to be ready to practice. We have one, not even new just new to our specialty, who calls the physician before ordering a multi vitamin its embarrassing.

To the OP please reconsider accepting poor wages or working conditions due to an obligation to your patients. Very few men or physicians fall into this codependent trap. Make your requirements known before you start a new job and handle your business like what it is, a business.

Like others have mentioned, doctors don't go straight into practice either. It's short-sighted to feel that NPs should just because it could possibly (though I'm unsure why it would) hurt our credibilty to MDs, but again, refer to my first sentence.

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Should you quit? Absolutely! Unless you signed a binding employment contract then you are under obligation to no one at this place. What's surprising to me is that you're even asking. If I were in your situation I would have been gone already.

As of this moment, you now have another job. Your new job is the task of finding another NP position. Work at it diligently. Its true that its much easier to find another position when you already have one. Have you looked into transitioning back into acute care as ACNP. Though you don't have NP experience your experience as an ICU RN would be useful. Try applying to hospitals for an acute care NP position.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Like others have mentioned, doctors don't go straight into practice either. It's short-sighted to feel that NPs should just because it could possibly (though I'm unsure why it would) hurt our credibilty to MDs, but again, refer to my first sentence.

I'd have to disagree that physicians don't immediately start practicing with little more than being oriented to the computer system which is the reason it hurts our credibility with MDs when new NP grads aren't able to function to their full scope of practice immediately after graduation. My guess is we will see fellowships in the future but since there is no requirement for them at this time the sentiments I have received from Docs who are actually supportive of NPs is that if you want to hang with the big boys you need to be ready to roll.

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I will not tolerate a biotch MA for one. Second, if Im not happy aint nobody happy. I bring money to the clinic. Thats why they have me here. If you cant get supportive staff and you arent comfortable in the decision making role you are in a danger zone. But only you can answer your question

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Find something better. You didn't go through the extra education to put up with this (unless they pay you well).

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But why? Why shouldn't we come out of school prepared to practice independently to the full scope of our license?

Jules......I agree with you 100%. Instead of spending the first year learning how to research.....researching.....and writing about research.......We should be learning how to assess, diagnose, and prescribe......The second year should consist of being precepted by a NP or MD.

I remember a while back a brand new PA started working at our hospital and the CNAs had to help her with certain things because she didn't have a clue.............!

First year of NP school was a total waste of my time......!

To the OP.......One thing I've learned is to trust yourself and never look back.......Always move forward!

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Should you stay and suck it up? Naw - that never works. But if you truly want to work with these patients, you might attempt to make your situation better. Talk to the PA and MA and find out why they are hostile. Most of the time people will communicate if you approach them neutrally. You said it's a small town - are you their first FNP?

I've had situations where I turned nasty people into friends, and that is always worth it.

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I'd have to disagree that physicians don't immediately start practicing with little more than being oriented to the computer system which is the reason it hurts our credibility with MDs when new NP grads aren't able to function to their full scope of practice immediately after graduation. My guess is we will see fellowships in the future but since there is no requirement for them at this time the sentiments I have received from Docs who are actually supportive of NPs is that if you want to hang with the big boys you need to be ready to roll.

That is like saying a 2-year-old who runs around in the backyard should be able to "hang" with 10-year-olds who run around a track.......what a stupid comment!

If NPs had 4 years of constant study......test......repeat......and 4 years of direct supervision in a clinical setting they'd be more independent too......

The problem is.......NP school doesn't train you to "hang with the big boys." It barely trains you to assess, diagnose, and prescribe......the first year is all about learning how to research......researching.....and writing about research.......it was a TOTAL waste of my time!

One year of being precepted and learning how to assess, diagnose, and prescribe is simply not enough time for ANY human to absorb enough info to "hang with the big boys." Honestly, I believe if you compare medical students and NPs after 2 years of study it would be a wash.......

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OP - are these charming staff members maltreating patients? Is there fraud or abuse or other bad stuff to report to authorities?

What is it that you find so upsetting about these people? I'm not criticizing, just curious. And I'm glad you've decided not to be a martyr or living sacrifice. It's nice that you care about the patients, but you have to set realistic limits, as you know.

AS for being 100% up to speed and totally confident the minute one graduates, that sounds unrealistic in any type of work.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
That is like saying a 2-year-old who runs around in the backyard should be able to "hang" with 10-year-olds who run around a track.......what a stupid comment!

Yeah I'm not feeling your analogy.

The problem is.......NP school doesn't train you to "hang with the big boys." It barely trains you to assess, diagnose, and prescribe......

I agree 100% and that is the root of the problem. That you seem indignant that our colleagues and employers would expect us to know how to assess, diagnose, prescribe and be ready to start work upon licensure is rather surprising.

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Many positions have a "non-compete" clause where you are not permitted to take any similar position within a certain mile radius. That is something to check into before leaving a position and taking another. And while NPs (and PAs) should be able to handle most common conditions, even (heaven forbid) GPs ask colleagues about uncommon conditions they encounter, even though most pretend they "know everything."

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