Would you rather stay as an RN or work as a NP?

Trauma Columnist · Apr 10, 2022

I enjoyed my 12 years as an RN but I've enjoyed my 16 years at my APRN job more

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Apr 11, 2022

I am a new NP. I've been employed in the hospitalist role for just over two months, so I'm still in my orientation. I am also still working as a RN in ICU (although I tend to get floated all over the hospital when I pick up shifts). I enjoy both of them for different reasons, and I can easily see myself doing both jobs for a while, although everyone tells me that soon I'll get tired of the bedside position and just pick up extra hospitalist shifts.

I started the route to NP with a time constraint, so if I had worked longer in my ICU role I might not have gone back. But I did, and I certainly don't regret it because now I have more options. Financially right now I could make the most money if I wanted to travel in ICU nursing. As it is I'm making more as a floor RN than a NP because of the current incentive at my hospital due to staffing shortages. However, another 25 years at the bedside is going to get harder on me physically.

I think that I will have almost as much ability to change positions/specialties as a NP as I would have as a RN, I'm certified as an acute care adult/geriatric NP. Especially because as a NP I've gotten into a larger teaching hospital. Currently I'm happy to have a night shift position that fits my work family balance, so I would be limited to hospitalist or ICU if I want to stick with night positions. However, there are hospitalists in almost all of the clinical specialties in my hospital as well.

I don't feel like going the NP route has been a career limiting choice for me. And it's the role that I wanted, so hours or flexibility aside, I wanted to move into an area with primary responsibility to guide the care of patients and support the night nursing staff. It's been a good move for me, at least this early on it seems like it.

SillyFever, ADN, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2022

5 hours ago, JBMmom said:

I am a new NP. I've been employed in the hospitalist role for just over two months, so I'm still in my orientation. I am also still working as a RN in ICU (although I tend to get floated all over the hospital when I pick up shifts). I enjoy both of them for different reasons, and I can easily see myself doing both jobs for a while, although everyone tells me that soon I'll get tired of the bedside position and just pick up extra hospitalist shifts.

I started the route to NP with a time constraint, so if I had worked longer in my ICU role I might not have gone back. But I did, and I certainly don't regret it because now I have more options. Financially right now I could make the most money if I wanted to travel in ICU nursing. As it is I'm making more as a floor RN than a NP because of the current incentive at my hospital due to staffing shortages. However, another 25 years at the bedside is going to get harder on me physically.

I think that I will have almost as much ability to change positions/specialties as a NP as I would have as a RN, I'm certified as an acute care adult/geriatric NP. Especially because as a NP I've gotten into a larger teaching hospital. Currently I'm happy to have a night shift position that fits my work family balance, so I would be limited to hospitalist or ICU if I want to stick with night positions. However, there are hospitalists in almost all of the clinical specialties in my hospital as well.

I don't feel like going the NP route has been a career limiting choice for me. And it's the role that I wanted, so hours or flexibility aside, I wanted to move into an area with primary responsibility to guide the care of patients and support the night nursing staff. It's been a good move for me, at least this early on it seems like it.

That’s amazing! I am really glad you like being a NP. Maybe one day I might move into the role, but I have no idea where I want to be. I’m happy in my role as an RN and like the flexibility in moving all around. Think I might go into ER next ?

ERArmyRNND · May 9, 2022

Good question. Sadly, experienced RNs are usually not making more money when they become NPs. The role is more advanced and less burnout but more responsibility should equal more pay.