What is your biggest struggle

[synaptic]

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.

Any takers?

[Jules A, MSN]

Paperwork, CMS regulations.

Totally agree although more about bring freaking annoying than a struggle.

[Jules A, MSN]

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. :-)

I love that as someone with 14 years of experience you are still aware of the huge responsibility that you will be facing. This insight will serve you well.

Its also interesting that so many with no nursing experience are either amazingly confident or delusional that with only 4 or so nursing pharm credits that they will be competent to start diagnosing and prescribing.

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

LOL, I just saw this and I went back and found the one post I made. I certainly do sound angry and bitter if you don't know where I was coming from at that time. I had just finished my first year of grad school and then was in a psych pharm class at the time of that post. A fellow RN was telling me about their program and how they had to have a 75 (compared to my 83) to pass their classes, they had open book exams that were 4 hours long (mine were 2.5 no notes allowed) with a fraction of the material that we had to cover. She was going to a private school that is a nonprofit.

I was mad and upset as I was mentally exhausted and close to having a breakdown, and my fellow classmates felt the same as well. Now I am much more relaxed as I am in the meaty portion of grad school and love it. I am currently being recruited by three facilities and I don't even graduate till spring. I am being offered 125k from my top choice with full benefits and medical staff perks, I will be signing in November if all goes well. Read JulesA posts if you want a good primer on salary expectations if you haven't already.

Angry? right now I'm happy as heck. Bitter? Not even close, I am glad I have busted my tail and continue to do so. I feel all programs are NOT created equal and I am glad I chose one that has pushed me past my limits and is making me into a superior novice provider, not one that can just pass the boards.