Unusual Question

Trauma Columnist · Jan 17, 2008

I agree with santhony - it's probably not the NP per se, but rather the individual job. Look around, shadow several APNs and be flexible about what you'll consider. For instance, all my nursing experience was ER and ICU - I had never even seen dialysis! Leave yourelf open to new work places, new experiences and be flexible.

Good luck.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 17, 2008

Good answers santhony44 and TraumaRUS. Nursecherlove, may I ask what exactly it is about being an RN you are really sick of? Or what aspects of your role you can do without? That could be a good start for you toward self-realization of what you want to do with your career. See, I didn't hate being an RN. I also didn't hate the acute care setting at all. I just felt that I can do something more and not be in a role that was turning stagnant for me, hence the NP.

NurseCherlove · Jan 20, 2008

Good answers santhony44 and TraumaRUS. Nursecherlove, may I ask what exactly it is about being an RN you are really sick of? Or what aspects of your role you can do without? That could be a good start for you toward self-realization of what you want to do with your career. See, I didn't hate being an RN. I also didn't hate the acute care setting at all. I just felt that I can do something more and not be in a role that was turning stagnant for me, hence the NP.

Hmm. Where to start...I suppose first off, I hate just running around, mindlessly doling out meds. Feels so robotic sometimes. I would not miss that at all as an NP.

I don't like being thrown off course with that new admission I just found out about 5 minutes ago that just arrived when I'm already behind (doing meds and/or paperwork, etc.).

I suppose overall, I just hate that feeling like you're always racing against the clock, trying to stay ahead(but yet maintain quality) so that you can efficiently manage that out of the blue interruption that's going to suck up your time.

Now I realize that NPs, especially ACNPs and even moreso Cardiac NPs, will have to stop proceeding ahead with their structured daily goals to attend to emergencies, but I can't imagine that it would be constant interruptions like with being an RN (if that made any sense).

What do you think Pinoy? Will these strong dislikes prevent me from liking being an NP?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 21, 2008

Hmm. Where to start...I suppose first off, I hate just running around, mindlessly doling out meds. Feels so robotic sometimes. I would not miss that at all as an NP.
I don't like being thrown off course with that new admission I just found out about 5 minutes ago that just arrived when I'm already behind (doing meds and/or paperwork, etc.).
I suppose overall, I just hate that feeling like you're always racing against the clock, trying to stay ahead(but yet maintain quality) so that you can efficiently manage that out of the blue interruption that's going to suck up your time.
Now I realize that NPs, especially ACNPs and even moreso Cardiac NPs, will have to stop proceeding ahead with their structured daily goals to attend to emergencies, but I can't imagine that it would be constant interruptions like with being an RN (if that made any sense).
What do you think Pinoy? Will these strong dislikes prevent me from liking being an NP?

I can relate to your frustration about "doling out meds" as part of your RN role. It can easily get task-oriented and at times, you have no time to investigate why your patients are on so many. You definitely will not do this as an NP and the good thing about being an NP is that you can take it upon yourself to review your patients' meds and remove the ones that are totally unnecessary. You should also have ample time to look at the big picture, know your patient inside and out, and hopefully, manage their meds better.

As far as constantly running against the clock, that can also happen in an NP role. However, you are usually not tied up to a strict regimen (i.e., end of shift report coming up, meds to give, dressing changes to do) so what ends up happening is that you just work over to get everything done. It also takes a lot of prioritizing skills to make sure you take care of the pressing issues first. Once you've been in the role for a while, you'll also find that you are better at time management and that considerably improves your efficiency. In settings where you work in a clinic or the ER, it is also important to achieve a degree of efficiency in seeing patients so that you don't make patients wait unnecessarily.

Based on your response, I have the impression that your ideas about being an NP is realistic and I think you should definitely investigate the role more and pursue it as you have planned.

NurseCherlove · Jan 27, 2008

I can relate to your frustration about "doling out meds" as part of your RN role. It can easily get task-oriented and at times, you have no time to investigate why your patients are on so many. You definitely will not do this as an NP and the good thing about being an NP is that you can take it upon yourself to review your patients' meds and remove the ones that are totally unnecessary. You should also have ample time to look at the big picture, know your patient inside and out, and hopefully, manage their meds better.
As far as constantly running against the clock, that can also happen in an NP role. However, you are usually not tied up to a strict regimen (i.e., end of shift report coming up, meds to give, dressing changes to do) so what ends up happening is that you just work over to get everything done. It also takes a lot of prioritizing skills to make sure you take care of the pressing issues first. Once you've been in the role for a while, you'll also find that you are better at time management and that considerably improves your efficiency. In settings where you work in a clinic or the ER, it is also important to achieve a degree of efficiency in seeing patients so that you don't make patients wait unnecessarily.
Based on your response, I have the impression that your ideas about being an NP is realistic and I think you should definitely investigate the role more and pursue it as you have planned.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments and encouragement.

From what you described above, I would love that role - especially the part about having the time to really scrutinize charts/assess patients and come up with the best plan of care for patients! Sounds right up my alley! Not only that, I have no problem with staying a little late to finish up my work.

From the picture you painted, it sounds like for most part I would be able to focus on one task, complete it, and then move on to the next problem (witout a thousand interruptions in between).

Multi-tasking, while I can do it if I have to, does not exactly come naturally to me. I really like to hone in on a problem obsessively until it is not only fixed, it also comes along with a 10 year warranty. OK, I'm getting kinda goofy here (getting late), I'd better adjourn

Thank you again!