4 answers
Stephanie
Student
New York, New York
6
Questions
Asked
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What is the most stressful aspect of being a nurse (Registered nurse, nurse practitioner)
Are nurses always on their feet? Do they have to work many night shifts? #nurse #nurse-practitioner #registered-nurse
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4 answers
Kathleen Madden
Staff RN at Hunterdon Medical Center
22
Answers
Flemington, New Jersey
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
Being pulled in different directions at once, you must be able to prioritize and delegate.
Bether Gerber
family nurse practitioner
24
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Bether’s Answer
hi stephanie.
i have been a nurse and a nurse practitioner for 20 years. i would say it's 1000 times easier being a nurse practitioner. i think nurse practitioners have it better than nurses, and better than doctors. you have more control over your situation, and the pay is generally better than nursing salaries. although since covid bedside nurses are currently making a lot more, but that might not last. also nurse practitioners can take time off to have a baby or work part time. it's way harder to do that if you are a doctor. in the state of arizona, where i work, nurse practitioners have full practice authority, which means they can do everything a doctor can do. they can write prescriptions, order imaging, put in stitches, do minor surgeries and many procedures and delegate to nurses and MA's. you interact constantly with other doctors. i decide how many patients i see a day. there are tons of opportunities and you can change areas you want to work in if you get bored. for example you could do family medicine and the switch to dermatology, or urgent care. all without having to go back to school. it's great! there are many stressful aspects of being a nurse, NP or MD. it's physically and emotionally demanding. too much charting. short staffing can be a huge problem (although it drives pay way up), and possibly the worst part is when you are taking care of a patient that is really sick and there is nothing left anyone can do for the patient. you will want to save everyone but it is just not possible! that's when your experience kicks in and you change what your are doing to support the patient, their family and help them understand the options that are left. the good news is if you don't like taking care of anyone who might die you can choose an area of medicine where people rarely die. like working in an infertility clinic. or a dermatology clinic... there's a million options. good luck on your journey.
i have been a nurse and a nurse practitioner for 20 years. i would say it's 1000 times easier being a nurse practitioner. i think nurse practitioners have it better than nurses, and better than doctors. you have more control over your situation, and the pay is generally better than nursing salaries. although since covid bedside nurses are currently making a lot more, but that might not last. also nurse practitioners can take time off to have a baby or work part time. it's way harder to do that if you are a doctor. in the state of arizona, where i work, nurse practitioners have full practice authority, which means they can do everything a doctor can do. they can write prescriptions, order imaging, put in stitches, do minor surgeries and many procedures and delegate to nurses and MA's. you interact constantly with other doctors. i decide how many patients i see a day. there are tons of opportunities and you can change areas you want to work in if you get bored. for example you could do family medicine and the switch to dermatology, or urgent care. all without having to go back to school. it's great! there are many stressful aspects of being a nurse, NP or MD. it's physically and emotionally demanding. too much charting. short staffing can be a huge problem (although it drives pay way up), and possibly the worst part is when you are taking care of a patient that is really sick and there is nothing left anyone can do for the patient. you will want to save everyone but it is just not possible! that's when your experience kicks in and you change what your are doing to support the patient, their family and help them understand the options that are left. the good news is if you don't like taking care of anyone who might die you can choose an area of medicine where people rarely die. like working in an infertility clinic. or a dermatology clinic... there's a million options. good luck on your journey.
Lorraine Romero
FNP-C
43
Answers
Modesto, California
Updated
Lorraine’s Answer
The most stressful aspect of being a nurse practitioner is patient overload. This may be overwhelming for a new grad. However, learning to prioritize, communicate with staff, delegate, and learning a routine that works for you will decrease stress.
Lígia Melo McPherson
Infusion nurse
1
Answer
Miami Gardens, Florida
Updated
Lígia’s Answer
The hardest part of being a nurse is to be able to be a critical think and remain calm in the most stressful situation . In a hospital setting you will be asked to do many things by patients , doctors , CNAd all at once . You will have to be able to tackle the tasks by which one is most important first . Also , learn to work with your team . Nurse is a team work , you will have to know how to delegate and cooperate with your peers . The nurses that tend to do at all by themselves tend to get burned by the job faster .
Also , I would say the hardest part of the job is getting too involved in the role in not caring for self . The best nurse is not with the most credentials and that pick all the overtime hours . The best nurse care for themselves so they are in a good mindset to care for others .
Also , I would say the hardest part of the job is getting too involved in the role in not caring for self . The best nurse is not with the most credentials and that pick all the overtime hours . The best nurse care for themselves so they are in a good mindset to care for others .