Why become a NP

[litebrightgirl]

What are the benefits? What made you decide to go this route? What's the "best" speciality? Any negatives? :heartbeat:nurse:

[leahvonleah]

I was really "bored" with my jobs in nursing. I needed more of a challenge. I thought changing hospitals, fields or transferring to outpatient would help, but it did not. I had been a nurse for 11 years and new I needed to do something. One of my colleagues just finished her MSN and talked me into looking in to it. I thought I wanted to get my MSN and go into education--eventually teaching at the collegiate level. But, when I sat down with my advisor it was not that much more to go for NP so I went for it!

I love my job. I work in an internal med clinic--very heavy in diabetes, asthma and renal disease. I actually kept my desire to teach, but now as patient education, which is invaluable!

I love the independence! I can rearrange my clinic hours to fit in my family (ie: kids ballet practice, teacher conferences, etc). The MD I work for offers me complete autonomy-never anything I was accustomed to with hospital work--punch in...punch out...1/2 hour for lunch, etc.

Good luck with your decision!