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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Nurses like becoming NPs because it pays better and they have more freedom (can prescribe meds).

I have had good and bad experiences with NPs. In theory they improve the system by handling cases that might be too simple or straightforward for a doctor. And they do generally get to spend more time with patients, making them a good option for a PCP (PCN?) where not being rushed can be helpful.

However I have had very negative experiences with NP specialists. I do not feel the training fir their specialty is sufficient and they can have unearned confidence, especially in diagnosis. I've had a gyn NP miss major symptoms, for instance.

There is a reason medical training for fir doctors is as long as it is. It's inconvenient, for them and fir patients, because it leads to doctor shortages. But I'm not convinced replacing a bunch of MD roles with NPs is going to solve things, especially with the current fairly low requirements for training and school to get specialized NP licenses.[/quote]

I'm telling you, it does not pay that much better in 2026 than a hospital-based RN who works 8 hours of overtime a month (ie, works 38 hours a week instead of full-time / 36 hours a week).  Maybe the differential was bigger pre 2010. Not now[/quote]

I think a lot of this has little to do with money but more autonomy/lifestyle.  Our daughter is a nurse in a hospital, and with crisis pay for extra shifts, makes a phenomenal amount of money on top of already strong salary.  But she is young so shift work isn't too rough now.  But when she has a family, the NP route is an appealing option.  [/quote]

Frankly this makes no sense. Being an RN is far more flexible as you can work evenings, nights, weekends, one day per week, two days per week, weekends only etc.  You can have coworkers cover for you at the last minute. Tons of mothers do it for this reason.

In contrast, there are few jobs as inflexible as seeing patients in an office as an NP or MD. Your schedule comes out and patients are booked 3-6 months in advance.  there is no taking last minute time off if your child has a kindergarten program or a high school sports game. There is no leaving early or doing any off shift hours.

I'm an RN turned NP married to an MD and I've raised (am raising) 3 kids. [/quote]

That is great, it is working out for you.  But your situation isn't everyone's.

We know NPs who work pretty flexible hours - three or four eight-hour shifts a week, or less.

Our daughter is lucky to, as a new graduate nurse in her unit, not to have to work only nights.  However, nursing friends at other hospitals aren't as lucky for their first two years.  There are nurses on her unit who are also Moms who prefer nights, but I don't think that would be her thing long-term.

Our daughter, who loves her job now and her patients, thinks the intensity of the unit she works in would be a lot to maintain for a career.  But it has informed what direction that she wants to take, at least right now.  She has been a nurse for not quite a year, so everything can change.

And her NP or other grad school, if she chooses that route, is covered by a generous Godparent. [/quote]

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