3 answers
Tenleigh
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Asked
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Any Nurse Practitioners regret becoming one ?
I am a Sophomore in high school and am currently instead of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I am still looking for other careers and have trouble deciding one. Just wondering if any Nurse Practitioners wish they took a different career path.
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3 answers
Charanpreet Walia
Public Health Nurse
47
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Charanpreet’s Answer
Hello Tenleigh
I have the privilege of working alongside nurse practitioners (NPs), and I can tell you that while some may question their choice, the majority find it incredibly rewarding. If you’re considering the NP career path, it's important to know that it’s quite distinct from more traditional routes like engineering or computer science. The journey begins with becoming a registered nurse (RN) by earning either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). After gaining valuable experience for a couple of years, you have the opportunity to return to school and earn your Master's degree, allowing you to specialize in an area that truly ignites your passion. Such as pediatrics, mental health, or family practice.
You do not have to become an NP after earning your BSN; you can continue working as a staff nurse. Additionally, you have the option of pursuing your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in education to become a professor, or you can pursue an MSN in leadership and follow a leadership path, such as becoming a director of nursing.
You do not have to become an NP after earning your BSN; you can continue working as a staff nurse. Additionally, you have the option of pursuing your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in education to become a professor, or you can pursue an MSN in leadership and follow a leadership path, such as becoming a director of nursing.
Once you start working as a Registered Nurse (RN), you will work closely with NPs, which will give you time to consider whether to pursue the NP route or not. You will collaborate closely with NPs, providing you with the perfect opportunity to reflect on your future.
Take your time to explore your options, and remember: the decision to become an NP is just one of many exciting avenues available to you in your nursing career!
Good luck!
I have the privilege of working alongside nurse practitioners (NPs), and I can tell you that while some may question their choice, the majority find it incredibly rewarding. If you’re considering the NP career path, it's important to know that it’s quite distinct from more traditional routes like engineering or computer science. The journey begins with becoming a registered nurse (RN) by earning either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). After gaining valuable experience for a couple of years, you have the opportunity to return to school and earn your Master's degree, allowing you to specialize in an area that truly ignites your passion. Such as pediatrics, mental health, or family practice.
You do not have to become an NP after earning your BSN; you can continue working as a staff nurse. Additionally, you have the option of pursuing your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in education to become a professor, or you can pursue an MSN in leadership and follow a leadership path, such as becoming a director of nursing.
You do not have to become an NP after earning your BSN; you can continue working as a staff nurse. Additionally, you have the option of pursuing your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in education to become a professor, or you can pursue an MSN in leadership and follow a leadership path, such as becoming a director of nursing.
Once you start working as a Registered Nurse (RN), you will work closely with NPs, which will give you time to consider whether to pursue the NP route or not. You will collaborate closely with NPs, providing you with the perfect opportunity to reflect on your future.
Take your time to explore your options, and remember: the decision to become an NP is just one of many exciting avenues available to you in your nursing career!
Good luck!
Nick Collins, MS, CRNP, CNS
Critical Care & Cardiogenomic Clinical Nurse Specialist | UCSF Faculty
14
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Nick’s Answer
I think this is an excellent question and important to explore when considering any path, among professionals you both value their career choice and ones at which might be different.
I’m currently an adult – gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and I really enjoy my role. There are clearly days that it is a very taxing job, but overall a good choice.
I think since all nurse practitioners are nurses before becoming a prescriber - the roles are distinctly different, and some nurses going to the profession thinking it’s simply an extension of the practice of nursing. However, this is a common misconception.
Although many jobs are different, being a provider/prescriber/APP means that you are never “off the clock“ and the patients often come first even when you are off. Sometimes this means taking calls or responding to patients during all hours, so it’s important to ask about any on-call time or on-call responsibilities.
Also, there are varying roles between supporting MDs/DOs to being an independent practitioner. A big part of the job is balancing your practice independence versus recognizing your limits and knowing when to ask for help. Basically, you’ll never be running the show completely on your own but to be perfectly honest, I doubt anyone who works in healthcare feels that they are the end all and be all when it comes to the patient. However, if you are someone that likes to take charge and lead, you might want to explore the physician pathway.
One of the more attractive options, is that you can choose clinical practice however there are plenty of other pathways and options that you might want to look into varying from research to working in industry (companies that provide goods or services to the healthcare industry).
Hope this helps and best of luck on your career search!
I’m currently an adult – gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and I really enjoy my role. There are clearly days that it is a very taxing job, but overall a good choice.
I think since all nurse practitioners are nurses before becoming a prescriber - the roles are distinctly different, and some nurses going to the profession thinking it’s simply an extension of the practice of nursing. However, this is a common misconception.
Although many jobs are different, being a provider/prescriber/APP means that you are never “off the clock“ and the patients often come first even when you are off. Sometimes this means taking calls or responding to patients during all hours, so it’s important to ask about any on-call time or on-call responsibilities.
Also, there are varying roles between supporting MDs/DOs to being an independent practitioner. A big part of the job is balancing your practice independence versus recognizing your limits and knowing when to ask for help. Basically, you’ll never be running the show completely on your own but to be perfectly honest, I doubt anyone who works in healthcare feels that they are the end all and be all when it comes to the patient. However, if you are someone that likes to take charge and lead, you might want to explore the physician pathway.
One of the more attractive options, is that you can choose clinical practice however there are plenty of other pathways and options that you might want to look into varying from research to working in industry (companies that provide goods or services to the healthcare industry).
Hope this helps and best of luck on your career search!
Maureen Komperda
Nurse Practitioner
44
Answers
Elmhurst, Illinois
Updated
Maureen’s Answer
Tenleigh, this is a very thoughtful question. Remember, many of us are from other generations in which women had limited occupational choices. During my generation, teaching, medicine, nursing, secretarial work, caretaker, and motherhood were on the short list. Many women sought careers outside these realms but were challenged by society in the US.
Many of us have second guessed our career choices when they become challenging. In challenging times, we probably aren't taking very good care of ourselves. Self care is extremely important in this profession as we tend to give to everyone but ourselves. If you aren't very good at instilling care on yourself, this may not be the profession for you.
During my own therapy session (self-care), I was told, "Many people go into professions in which they wish for the same outcomes. " Nurses/NPs want to be taken care of. Just be aware, this may or may not be true of you. Do some soul-searching! You will find the answer.
Many of us have second guessed our career choices when they become challenging. In challenging times, we probably aren't taking very good care of ourselves. Self care is extremely important in this profession as we tend to give to everyone but ourselves. If you aren't very good at instilling care on yourself, this may not be the profession for you.
During my own therapy session (self-care), I was told, "Many people go into professions in which they wish for the same outcomes. " Nurses/NPs want to be taken care of. Just be aware, this may or may not be true of you. Do some soul-searching! You will find the answer.