Where Does the Bedside Nursing Go?

[Jcat117]

I'm a new nursing student, and I'm excited about working bedside once again! I was a nurse aid several years ago. I miss the patient interaction and just the bedside nursing skills in general. I'm looking forward to adding to my bedside skills as an RN. I've met my first nurse practitioner, and it's had my mind wondering for quite some time now. I like the idea of critical thinking, some of the independent practice, and the overall challenge, but I'm worried I'm going to miss being bedside. I've read several posts stating that NPs tame this itch by working PRN, etc. My overall question, is there a way to be both at the same time? Is there any NP specialty/area where you can continue to work bedside with some of the additional NP duties such diagnosis, prescribing medicine, etc.? Thank you in advance for your responses!

[mcnacht]

I think RN and ARNP work is completely different, at least in the jobs I've had. After I got my first ARNP job, I continued to work per diem as an ER RN, but there was no conflict in my mind because they were completely different jobs. I had an English teacher in high school who sold children's shoes on the weekend, and I think it was a similar idea. You still have to be present and use some of your brain, but it's nothing like being the final responsible party with all decisions on your shoulders. I couldn't even possibly have had conflicts of overstepping my professional roles because in that hospital I had no computer access to put in a diagnosis or write a prescription as an RN, and I almost never told patients of my "other" existence as an ARNP. There also were no ARNP's in the ER where I worked, only PA-C's and MD's. I suppose it could get awkward if you were an RN working with other ARNP's when you've been similarly educated.

[Jcat117]

That makes perfect sense! Especially the part about compartmentalizing depending on the "environment" that you're in. It sounds like there is no blending of the two, and that it's always going to be separated. The best way to go about it is to do one part time. This may be silly, but is it possible to be a full time RN and work part-time or in some capacity as an ARNP? Thanks for your responses. This is very helpful information.

[Annaiya, NP]

If you enjoy the bedside so much, why bother going the NP route? NP school is a ton of work and expensive. If you're happy at the bedside, then I'd say just do that until you need a change. 5 years from now you may feel differently about it.

[Jcat117]

Good point, Annaiya. It's probably the everything is new and shiny right now mentality. Need to leave a little room to see what the future holds!