Would you recommend getting FNP degree?

2ndCareerRN · Jun 10, 2005

In a nutshell, everyone has to make that decision themselves. I do not think being an FNP is all it is cracked up to be.

I started a program, and was really enjoying it. Then I sat down and took a good look at what being and FNP entailed. Other than no longer doing nursing, which for me was a big thing, there is also the hours you will put in. Usually 9-5(7?) five days a week. No more opportunity to do shift work. As a staff nurse I work 7 days on and 7 days off, you won't see that as FNP.

You will most likely work in a physicians office, very few NP's actually open an independent practice (but there are the ones that do it). Although a mid-level (PA/FNP) should see less pt's than a physician, often the scheduling of appointments keep you close to what the doc does. So much for a holostic approach to health care delivery. You will be grinding them out just like the docs, see em, treat em, street em (with a script). I believe a NP should take more time and spend time talking to the patients, treating the cause as well as the symptoms. If I see a doc for a cough, I may get some meds, same with an NP. In my world, an NP should take the time to discuss health behaviors, environmental causes, and the relationship of the cough to the whole body. But, that seldom happens. If an NP were to take that much time per patient, they would be there till midnight. Of course, doing half the patients the doc does could help the NP reach that goal. But, would you hire an NP that only sees about half the patients you do, if you were the clinic doc?

I also looked at the money an NP makes, and I decided to travel for a few years. I would venture to say in the last two years I have made as much as most NP's. And that is as a staff nurse. I have now taken a job in a government facility, while not making as much as a traveler, it is more than adequate for me. I probably still make as much as many NP's. I am home, I see my wife everyday, and I like where I am, I get a week off every other week. So, I am happy with my decision to quit the NP route.

I also would have needed loans to finish my NP degree, which added to what I already owe, was just more than I wanted to do at this time.

If I were to go back for a NP degree, it would as a Emergency Nurse Practioner. There are a few programs in the country that do this. I know one is in Houston. There seems to more of a demand for mid-levels in the ER setting to deal with the "clinic" patients, especially now that so many people use the ER as their primary health provider.

There are many good reasons to become a NP, I just don't think any of them made an impression on me. Most NP's I know are happy with their decision, a few are disgruntled. But, that is true in any profession.

I wanted to show a less than rosy picture for you. A decision like this has to be made with as much information as you can get.

If you are serious about becoming a mid-level provider, you may want to look into becoming a PA, and comparing all aspects of that job with the job of an NP.

bob

bwt02 · Jun 11, 2005

I cant understand why you refer to NP's as "midlevel". I have never been a mid-level nor provide patient care at a "midlevel" standard. This term is rather negative to our profession.

The role of the NP is dynamic. The bottom line however is money and patient satisfaction. Yes we do, by virtue of training treat the whole person and our approach is often a little different than a physician. When it comes right down to it though when you are working a busy urgent care or ER and there are 50 other patients waiting to see you there is simply not enough time to discuss "How this cough effects your whole body and environment". That is the reality!

In a nutshell, everyone has to make that decision themselves. I do not think being an FNP is all it is cracked up to be.
I started a program, and was really enjoying it. Then I sat down and took a good look at what being and FNP entailed. Other than no longer doing nursing, which for me was a big thing, there is also the hours you will put in. Usually 9-5(7?) five days a week. No more opportunity to do shift work. As a staff nurse I work 7 days on and 7 days off, you won't see that as FNP.
You will most likely work in a physicians office, very few NP's actually open an independent practice (but there are the ones that do it). Although a mid-level (PA/FNP) should see less pt's than a physician, often the scheduling of appointments keep you close to what the doc does. So much for a holostic approach to health care delivery. You will be grinding them out just like the docs, see em, treat em, street em (with a script). I believe a NP should take more time and spend time talking to the patients, treating the cause as well as the symptoms. If I see a doc for a cough, I may get some meds, same with an NP. In my world, an NP should take the time to discuss health behaviors, environmental causes, and the relationship of the cough to the whole body. But, that seldom happens. If an NP were to take that much time per patient, they would be there till midnight. Of course, doing half the patients the doc does could help the NP reach that goal. But, would you hire an NP that only sees about half the patients you do, if you were the clinic doc?
I also looked at the money an NP makes, and I decided to travel for a few years. I would venture to say in the last two years I have made as much as most NP's. And that is as a staff nurse. I have now taken a job in a government facility, while not making as much as a traveler, it is more than adequate for me. I probably still make as much as many NP's. I am home, I see my wife everyday, and I like where I am, I get a week off every other week. So, I am happy with my decision to quit the NP route.
I also would have needed loans to finish my NP degree, which added to what I already owe, was just more than I wanted to do at this time.
If I were to go back for a NP degree, it would as a Emergency Nurse Practioner. There are a few programs in the country that do this. I know one is in Houston. There seems to more of a demand for mid-levels in the ER setting to deal with the "clinic" patients, especially now that so many people use the ER as their primary health provider.
There are many good reasons to become a NP, I just don't think any of them made an impression on me. Most NP's I know are happy with their decision, a few are disgruntled. But, that is true in any profession.
I wanted to show a less than rosy picture for you. A decision like this has to be made with as much information as you can get.
If you are serious about becoming a mid-level provider, you may want to look into becoming a PA, and comparing all aspects of that job with the job of an NP.
bob

spaniel · Jun 11, 2005

I too hate the definition "mid-level" but I don't believe the poster was trying to denigrate the NP profession. Look at any managed care company and the NP or PA is listed as midlevel.

Now, I must agree that I am so very disheartened by the way the NP practice seems to be going. Seeing agazillion patients... I also say what's the point. I would love to see the NP role really wholistic- but I fear that we would have to set up our own practices and take far less money... that personally would be acceptable for me.

Serenyd · Jun 11, 2005

So are there any nurse practitioners out there who are actually happy in their jobs? Or are they just too busy to post .. lol.

Serenyd · Jun 11, 2005

Thanks 2ndCareerRN for your honest advice

smile123 · Jun 11, 2005

I'm a new BSN grad and I have been wanting to become a family nurse practitioner ever since I was in pre-nursing. I spent a day observing a FNP at a pediatricians office during my peds rotation and thought her job was super-cool - and was wowed by all the stuff she was allowed to do that regular nurses couldn't - such as diagnosing and prescribing.
My question is do you think it's worth it? Is it worth the extra 2-3 years it would take to become a family nurse practitioner? What are the pros/cons?
I have an option to start a program this fall, but I have to get a year of experience before I can start the classes that include clinicals.
Thanks for reading/replying (in advance)
Seren

Hi Serena,

Congrats on getting your BSN! What schools are you looking at for the MSN/NP portion?

Smile123

Trauma Columnist · Jun 11, 2005

I just finished my MSN (leadership and management). In Illinois, where the AMA is based (Chicago), mid-level (no denigrating or criticism intended) rule the roost here. NP and PA's have little to no autonomy. I shadowed several NP's and PA's during my clinical time and was disheartened to say the least. So...I am looking at a clinical nurse specialist because at least in my area, they have jobs. One local hospital did away with (across the board) with ALL mid-level practitioners. The loans are a big factor but if you factor in that your earning potential is higher, it all works out. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Serenyd · Jun 11, 2005

Hi Serena,
Congrats on getting your BSN! What schools are you looking at for the MSN/NP portion?
Smile123

I was planning on going to my Alma Mater Alcorn SON in MS. It's the only nursing school close to me. I looked into going to Delta state, but it's 4 hrs away, although it's mostly web-based.

Serenyd · Jun 11, 2005

I just finished my MSN (leadership and management). In Illinois, where the AMA is based (Chicago), mid-level (no denigrating or criticism intended) rule the roost here. NP and PA's have little to no autonomy. I shadowed several NP's and PA's during my clinical time and was disheartened to say the least. So...I am looking at a clinical nurse specialist because at least in my area, they have jobs. One local hospital did away with (across the board) with ALL mid-level practitioners. The loans are a big factor but if you factor in that your earning potential is higher, it all works out. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

What exactly is a clinical nurse specialist? Do you have to have an MSN for that?

So...I am looking at a clinical nurse specialist because at least in my area, they have jobs. One local hospital did away with (across the board) with ALL mid-level practitioners.

So it's really that hard to find a job as a nurse practitioner?

Gennaver, MSN · Jul 17, 2005

I just finished my MSN (leadership and management). In Illinois, where the AMA is based (Chicago), mid-level (no denigrating or criticism intended) rule the roost here. NP and PA's have little to no autonomy. I shadowed several NP's and PA's during my clinical time and was disheartened to say the least. So...I am looking at a clinical nurse specialist because at least in my area, they have jobs. One local hospital did away with (across the board) with ALL mid-level practitioners. The loans are a big factor but if you factor in that your earning potential is higher, it all works out. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Hello TraumaRUs,

I am also in the Chicagoland area. My MENP program starts in September and I am considering which certificate to follow it with, (DePaul Univeristy). I was hoping for the Community health nurse specialist but, also am very interested in the FNP, (thinking that they would both be useful for rural/tribal community health).

Yet, while I am still here living and working in the Chicagoland area I can see that this may hinder job prospects. Could you share more about this area and jobs for NPs or CNS's?

Please pm me if you can. Thanks,

Gen

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 20, 2005

What exactly is a clinical nurse specialist? Do you have to have an MSN for that?
So it's really that hard to find a job as a nurse practitioner?

A CNS is another type of advanced practice nurse. The MSN is required to sit for the certification exam which credentials you as a CNS.

The CNS usually functions in more of the role of an educator than provider. This varies from state to state, though. Some states, for example, do not grant prescriptive authority to the CNS. Others make very little differentiation between the scope of practice of the CNS vs the NP. You would really have to look at your state's nurse practice act to determine scope of practice for a CNS in your state.