In response many of the posts we find on here. What would be some of the biggest struggles that nurse practitioners, np students, new grads, vets, etc experience in this field? Does not have to be related to anything specific, but if you had one problem in regards to being a nurse practitioner, what would it be?
I guess to start mine would be something along the lines of attempting to understand what the future holds for nurse practitioners in this ever-changing world.
My struggles as an NP include finding time to have a life. I work Monday to Friday and sometimes on a Saturday. The job ad may have said 9-5 but in reality, it is 8-6 even 7pm when we have our monthly meetings. I aim to go the gym on a regular basis but I'm usually just exhausted on the drive home. Plus I have to study and keep myself updated about medical issues every night. I honestly salute all the working parents, both part time and full time because I don't know how they do.
My second struggle is gaining respect from the patients, staff and other providers.
My third struggle is well not really much of a struggle but more of annoyance. I get approached a lot that every person who can add 2+2 wants to be an NP because we supposedly make millions cough cough and it's easy to be an NP. It's annoying how little people perceive our profession
My struggles as an NP include finding time to have a life. I work Monday to Friday and sometimes on a Saturday. The job ad may have said 9-5 but in reality, it is 8-6 even 7pm when we have our monthly meetings. I aim to go the gym on a regular basis but I'm usually just exhausted on the drive home. Plus I have to study and keep myself updated about medical issues every night. I honestly salute all the working parents, both part time and full time because I don't know how they do.
My second struggle is gaining respect from the patients, staff and other providers.
My third struggle is well not really much of a struggle but more of annoyance. I get approached a lot that every person who can add 2+2 wants to be an NP because we supposedly make millions cough cough and it's easy to be an NP. It's annoying how little people perceive our profession
I know a lot of nurses who are pursuing NP that aren't even proficient at their RN job. I also know a lot of college grads who failed to get med school pursuing NP which is both a good and bad thing as their diverse degree backgrounds (usually science) do help the NP profession.
I also have some issues/questions with the board exams. I got a hold of a review book with test bank Qs for ANP and FNP and many of the questions could easily be answered by a adept RN. Looking back, does anyone feel the boards were too easy as a barrier to entry level practice?
I know a lot of nurses who are pursuing NP that aren't even proficient at their RN job. I also know a lot of college grads who failed to get med school pursuing NP which is both a good and bad thing as their diverse degree backgrounds (usually science) do help the NP profession.
I also have some issues/questions with the board exams. I got a hold of a review book with test bank Qs for ANP and FNP and many of the questions could easily be answered by a adept RN. Looking back, does anyone feel the boards were too easy as a barrier to entry level practice?
I'm not sure the boards are that easy given the multiple number of post on allnurses alone of people fail the exams multiple times. Granted I can't speak to someone's knowledge base, if they are currently a practicing as a RN, just not great test takers, if they intelligent or just book smart. I know very smart people who did very well in their NP programs and impressed their preceptors very much with their clinical knowledge who have not past this test on the first try.
considering we only have to take one test to be able to prescribe such a wide range of medications it should be exceedingly difficult (which I don't think it currently is or at least wasn't back when I took it)
I'm not sure the boards are that easy given the multiple number of post on allnurses alone of people fail the exams multiple times. Granted I can't speak to someone's knowledge base, if they are currently a practicing as a RN, just not great test takers, if they intelligent or just book smart. I know very smart people who did very well in their NP programs and impressed their preceptors very much with their clinical knowledge who have not past this test on the first try.
The pass rates are very high for all of the national board exams, most are greater than 80%.
That being said, the USMLE and medical board exams are even higher.
Barnstormin, it appears from reading your post that you are angry and bitter. No matter what school your colleagues went to if they graduated and pass their NP boards they are your equal. Get over yourself!!!!!!
I just took the NCLEX yesterday, and am currently part time in a nurse practitioner program.
So my worries right now involve: being a new nurse (I worry in particular about bullying, as I was previously a CNA and know that work environments can be hostile at times), and also trying to find a job that will accommodate a new nurse with a school schedule.
That being said I'm super excited and grateful to have these opportunities
In my case, I spent hundreds of hours studying and doing extra clinical hours to prepare myself for my new role. The best advice I have received is that my education shows me where to look for answers. It is the experience is where you learn.
One could drive themselves crazy comparing education, clinical experiences, etc. What it really boils down to is taking care and advocating for our patients. I have been working as a NP for 6 months and I have the best job in the world.
Barnstormin, it appears from reading your post that you are angry and bitter. No matter what school your colleagues went to if they graduated and pass their NP boards they are your equal. Get over yourself!!!!!!
I looked and couldn't find the post you are referring to but I beg to differ that all NPs are equal. Although I don't necessarily base it on what school someone went to just because someone passed NP boards absolutely does not make them my equal.
Same with all professions there are doctors who I wouldn't let treat me for dermatitis and a few others I'd allow to cut open my most beloved family member. All doctors aren't created equal and neither are all NPs.
Patient satisfaction is a pretty terrible addition to the world of medicine.
but hey our satisfaction scores would go wayyyy up. Give everybody a "shot" of the best antibiotic, best pain medicine, and some random other colorful drug in a big phat syringe and pump it right in their AC. All while serving them top quality home made ice cream while they are on the insulin drip for DKA, and smoking a joint or three along with their whisky and cigar. Sounds like a good resort to me.
Don't forget to add B12 to that mixed injection cocktail
Honestly I love my patients (most of them) but they can be SO insistent about things they DO NOT NEED.
The best ones for me are when they tell me they know all the tests came back negative for X (multiple sclerosis for a true example) but they know they have it because they can "feel it inside". And want me to 1- put in a referral to neuro for them or 2- just start prescribing the specialty drugs without any obvious necessity.
I also get lots of weird requests for specialized "letters". A letter to the landlord to say the boyfriend needs to move in, a letter to the group home manager to tell her that the living arrangements are exacerbating her heart disease (current 2ppd smoker with personality disorder most likely causing daily fighting among residents), a letter to get a patient out of jury duty without medical cause, a letter after never being seen in-office for an excuse for missing work the past three days "I was sick".
Or the return of the letter that didn't work for its supposed purpose "this needs to be changed because they won't accept it".
All these requests get back to me as somehow urgent, but the guy with the wildly abnormal labs told by his specialist to get into his PCP asap to discuss them, well he's scheduled THREE MONTHS AWAY and I only find this message by looking in the chart for something else as it was never routed to me.
Honestly, the only thing I worry about is will I be proficient enough? So much I have learned yet I can't seem to cram it all in my brain. You can only read so much, lol! I know the job market is lucrative right now. I joined AANP and they send me NP jobs about every 2 weeks. I even seen some where they will hire new grads!!!! I have one more year to go and I am already researching a DNP program. I figure I better get it while I am still in the wanting more mode. :-)
orangepink, NP
289 Posts
My struggles as an NP include finding time to have a life. I work Monday to Friday and sometimes on a Saturday. The job ad may have said 9-5 but in reality, it is 8-6 even 7pm when we have our monthly meetings. I aim to go the gym on a regular basis but I'm usually just exhausted on the drive home. Plus I have to study and keep myself updated about medical issues every night. I honestly salute all the working parents, both part time and full time because I don't know how they do.
My second struggle is gaining respect from the patients, staff and other providers.
My third struggle is well not really much of a struggle but more of annoyance. I get approached a lot that every person who can add 2+2 wants to be an NP because we supposedly make millions cough cough and it's easy to be an NP. It's annoying how little people perceive our profession