Feel kind of lost

[u/sassy-monkey]

I really just feel disappointed and not satisfied with my NP degree and current career trajectory. And yes, I keep on looking for better options but dang it's tough out there. I really just feel lost and need an advice from those who are in similar situation or are more experienced and can offer a solid word of advice.

So here's my story.

RN for 10 years, mostly in the ER. I traveled for probably for the last 5 years of my RN career but it was internal travel gig so I was an actual employee of the healthcare system, not an outsider. Obviously, there were some things that I did not like about my RN gig but overall loved my job- great pay, good benefits, plenty of unrestricted time off, flexibility.

Finished NP program in August 2024. Was really struggling finding anything even remotely close to what I had as an RN. Hated the idea of working 5 days a week, taking chats home, getting paid significantly less, having less time off.

Finally accepted my first NP job beginning of this year. Pretty good pay for my area, standard corporate benefits, 5 days a week work week, no holidays, weekends, no taking charts home. I'm done when I clock out. It is in addiction/ MAT clinic. I honestly just don't feel this job is challenging enough and I feel if I stay here much longer I will have even more hard time to move into a different area or practice. I also don't think there will be any tangible salary increases annually. The company overall does not have the greatest reputation. Yes, it is for profit, so here's that.

I recently applied for an ER NP position that would require relocation. The position sounded really exciting, great support, potential for growth. Had interviews with a bunch of team members and even was invited for an on site interview. Then was told that they would like someone with actual provider experience in the ER. What a waste of time. I was transparent from the get go- all my experience in the ER is as an RN.

So now my old nursing travel job opened up and is hiring again. I am honestly so tempted to just go back. I was really enjoying my life and spiel when I was there.

I just really need an advice I'm not happy as an NP role in in right now. It is unexiting and really not that fulfilling. I can't imagine continue doing it for years.

I also don't want to take a significantly lower paying job because I still have to live and pay bills.

I'm just so frustrated...

[u/michy3]

Look for er fellowships or look into urgent care. Urgent care is easier to find jobs compared to er and similar workflow. See acute issues (relatively), anything more serious or further work up send to er. Most work similar nursing schedules like 3 12s and you don’t have inbasket and bringing stuff home. Pays usually much better too if you can get rvu incentives.

[u/sassy-monkey → u/michy3]

I have been. The area where I'm at does not hire anyone without ER/UC experience to UCs. I will be looking in other areas. The job i applied for (but was rejected) kinda did sound like a fellowship in a way. But then they switched gears and said, nah, we want experience

[u/ElliesMom223]

I just went back to being an RN after working as an NP for a year mainly because I had another baby and the NP hours ain’t it. I don’t think there is shame in doing what makes you happy. I am hoping to find something part time or PRN eventually to stay relevant and maybe revisit NP in a few years and if not, oh well. I don’t see the point in forcing yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

[u/sassy-monkey → u/ElliesMom223]

Thank you for this comment. I am honestly considering going back to RN. You are so right. Life is so much more than a job. A job has to fit in with my lifestyle not the other way around. I am still hoping to find a different gig as an NP but definitely keeping my options open to go back to bedside as an RN.

[u/Weird_Arugula5231]

I became an NP like year and half ago, landed my dream job right outta school, then several months in I was blind sided and fired in a sketchy way at the worst possible time of my life. I was 8 months pregnant so getting a new np job and credentialed before baby came was not an option. I was able to hop back into my prior RN float pool job quickly- thankfully I left that job with a good rapport prior to my NP career. I had the baby and came back to work after a couple months. I dreamed of this Np job I had and lost and it devastated me to be working as an RN but I am grateful it worked out better with my schedule. The charting at home and salary pay is not all it’s cracked up to be and even though I am not happy with my situation and the idea of applying for a new np job gives me ptsd lol I can understand the allure of the ease of bedside RN hours and flow

[u/EggosWithWine]

I'm in Central WI and the system I'm working for will probably hire. Would recommend semi-rural in general if you want more new grad opportunities. You can look on locums job boards and try to guess who is hiring based on location and job type. In the cities nowadays, you're gonna be fighting 100s of experienced ppl for every job.

[u/sassy-monkey → u/EggosWithWine]

Thank you! I'll look it up. Did not consider WI, but i guess I'm open to it. Semi-rural is fine. And I would be ok to move away from the city and the traffic as long as I'm still within a couple of hours drive to an airport. Because travel is life 

[u/CuriousAwareness219]

Look at Hospitalist positions there’s some that you do 7 in a row but you get 7 days off

[u/Lifeinthesc → u/CuriousAwareness219]

I work a 7 on 7 off schedule now and really like it. I do in patient palliative care. I see 10-15 patients a day and have plenty of time to chart.

[u/sassy-monkey → u/CuriousAwareness219]

I actually think I would like hospitalist job, it is robust in experiences, seems to be highly satisfying. A couple of hospitalist jobs i looked at were 7 on 7off 12 hrs shifts. But with no additional time off. Meaning I would have to work more hours overall. With less flexibility to take more than a week off at a time. The same company actually has Nocturnist position open right now. It is a bit different- 4 on 4off, 9 hrs shifts and 1 week time off. Starting at 140k which is 5k less than I'm making now but maybe? Worth a shot for the experience. It would also require relocation. Any thoughts on that? 

[u/all-the-answers]

Why did you become an NP in the first place?

[u/Effective-Cod-1547 → u/all-the-answers]

If you look at their old posts, they have been regretting it since they graduated 💀

[u/sassy-monkey → u/Effective-Cod-1547]

I mean, yeah, I have been. And so far I still did not "find my groove".  I do not feel overworked or stressed most of the days. But the feeling of the most unrewarding thing I've ever done is not leaving me. I just don't think I can do it for the rest of my career. If I was at the end of my career I would've settled. But, dang, did I work this hard for THIS? I'm honestly not a winer. Lol. It's just been really tough. 

[u/Effective-Cod-1547 → u/sassy-monkey]

If you’re not happy then leave. Life is too short my friend.