What can I do with my MSN-FNP that doesn't require much patient contact

I know what you might think, why did I start FNP if I don't like contact with patients. The thing is, I didn't feel this way before I started the program. I've been an RN for 3 years, I started FNP because I wanted to get out of bedside.

Demanding and understaffed work environment was getting the best of my mental and physical health. I thought it would be different in outpatient setting, since I'd be getting more respect and independence.

I did a thorough research about what I'd be doing as an FNP before starting the program, and it seemed really nice, way better than bedside. However, I didn't really know what primary care really was before I started my clinicals. And now I have 4 months before graduating, and I'm realizing that's not really what I want to do.

I just can't deal with people. I can't stand when they think that there's a magic pill to fix everything when they don't bother changing their eating habits or adding exercise regimen. Or when they come into the office not knowing what medical conditions they have or what medications they take.

It may not be a big deal to many healthcare professionals, but I just cant imagine dealing with this for the rest of my life. Maybe I'm just burned out. I don't know.

What can I do with my MSN FNP degree that doesn't require much patient contact?

[B52express, NP]

PollywogNP said:

The same patients that you see in primary care show up in urgent care often for chronic conditions that they have failed to keep/make apts or fup with PCP. Abdominal pain x 1 year, incontinence, med refills, ingrown toenails, knee/back pain, rashes for 7 years (and he was mad I didn't know what was causing his rash), kidney stones etc etc etc.

It's not all sore throats, pink eye & uti's. Most urgent cares expect you to interpret X-rays, splint/cast, suture & minor procedures such as removing ingrown toenails.

And it is fast paced 3-4 patients per hour is typical, many its 12 hour shifts. And it's complicated as they don't know the name of their doctor/s or the meds they take or allergies.

I currently work in urgent care and it is exactly like this. I've been seeing like up to 40-50 a day it's pretty grueling. Throw in a couple of procedures and the waiting room is just over flowing and everything is somewhat urgent and some even require ER referral because so many don't really understand the concept of an urgent care or what we're actually able to do. Overall I like it but I feel like my current company needs way more providers. I don't think I should be seeing 50 solo, unless that's normal and I just need to put my big girl panties on LOL