{"id":6561,"date":"2023-03-07T23:18:24","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T23:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=6561"},"modified":"2024-11-05T22:51:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T22:51:26","slug":"nurse-practitioners-reveal-the-hardest-parts-of-their-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/inspiration\/nurse-practitioners-reveal-the-hardest-parts-of-their-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurse Practitioners Reveal the Hardest Parts of Their Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide primary healthcare to millions of Americans, counseling, diagnosing and treating patients. As advanced practice registered nurses, NPs have high-level clinical expertise that often allows them to pursue autonomous practice. They also enjoy the lucrative pay bump from a nurse practitioner&#8217;s salary, placing them among the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/salary-guides\/top-paying-aprn-specialties\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">highest-paying APRN specialties<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are many <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/inspiration\/why-i-love-being-a-nurse-practitioner\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">things to love about being a nurse practitioner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like all healthcare workers, they often find their jobs demanding and stressful. We spoke to a few NPs about the challenges they face in their work. Whether you&#8217;re an NP curious about the experiences of your peers or an aspiring NP weighing the pros and cons of the profession, consider these insights into the realities of nurse practitioner jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Most Challenging Aspects of the Job According to Nurse Practitioners<\/h3>\n<h4><b>Rigorous Training Requirements<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nurse practitioner jobs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically pay well. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average permanent NP salary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was $53.77 per hour compared to the average staff registered nurse (RN) rate of $37.24 per hour, according to Vivian&#8217;s data on February 28, 2023. However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/salary-guides\/nurse-practitioner-salary-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nurse practitioner salaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> vary by experience, location, specialty and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional certifications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before enjoying the higher earning potential, you must invest significant time in your studies.\u00a0Becoming an NP requires graduate-level training, resulting in 6 to 8 years of education, which can be costly and result in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/money-taxes\/student-loan-debt\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">substantial student loan debt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aspiring\u00a0NPs must:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/bsn\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/healthcare-education\/nclex-tips-to-help-you-pass\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Pass the National Council Licensure Examination<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 600;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/licensing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Obtain state nursing licensure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to practice as an RN<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complete a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/msn\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Master of Science in Nursing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/dnp\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 600;\">Doctor of Nursing Practice<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pass the appropriate national board certification exam based on your specialty<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtain a state NP license<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re currently working as an RN, your employer might provide tuition reimbursement toward a degree or contribute to the cost of board exams and specialty certification. These employee benefits can help offset the financial burden of earning a degree. Some employers may also offer student loan assistance or forgiveness programs. If you agree to work in a medically underserved area or Health Professional Shortage Area for a specified time, you may also be eligible for national or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/money-taxes\/healthcare-education-loan-forgiveness-by-state\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">state-level student loan forgiveness programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Transitioning to Independent Practice<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-7059 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/Nurse-Leadership-Resized-scaled-e1687890474597-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/Nurse-Leadership-Resized-scaled-e1687890474597-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/Nurse-Leadership-Resized-scaled-e1687890474597-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/Nurse-Leadership-Resized-scaled-e1687890474597-705x370.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many nurse practitioners look forward to taking an active role in a patient&#8217;s primary care, but the freedom to independently diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans might feel unfamiliar to those who have worked as RNs. It might take time to settle into your new NP job fully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The most challenging part about being an advanced practice nurse is making the mental shift to becoming an autonomous provider. I remember attending my first birth when the nurse asked me for orders, thinking, &#8220;Why isn&#8217;t she asking the provider?&#8221; Then it struck me. I am the provider,&#8221; said Dr. Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/cnm\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">certified nurse midwife<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0consultant for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/momlovesbest.com\/author\/caitlin\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mom Loves Best<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Obviously, I&#8217;ve adjusted to that shift over the last 7 years, but it left me with imposter syndrome until I got comfortable. It takes about 2 years to get into a professional groove where you feel more competent and knowledgeable,&#8221; Dr. Goodwin explained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She noted that APRNs are well-prepared for their clinical responsibilities and added, &#8220;That doesn&#8217;t mean I wasn&#8217;t capable and knowledgeable at the beginning of my career. It just means it took a long time to feel that way!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Responsibility for Patient Treatment Plans<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 70% of nurse practitioners deliver primary care, according to 2022 data from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Nearly 57% of NPs see three or more patients an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an\u00a0NP, you receive training that helps you provide the best possible care to your patients. You might suggest lifestyle changes or certain medications, but you can&#8217;t control whether the patient implements your recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NPs who take charge of a patient&#8217;s care can find this situation emotionally difficult, said Cheryl Maes, Ph.D., APRN, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/fnp-bc\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FNP-BC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Dr. Maes is an assistant professor at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unlv.edu\/people\/cheryl-maes\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">University of Nevada, School of Nursing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a practicing nurse in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI believe the hardest part of being a nurse practitioner is the emotional stress that comes along with taking care of patients,&#8221; said Dr. Maes. &#8220;Noncompliance to the recommended plan of care to patients is unfortunately real, and something dealt with on a regular basis.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr.\u00a0Maes added, \u201cI believe we find ourselves in many situations which include but aren\u2019t limited to being emotionally stressful. Therefore, situations such as this may come from the reality that you are responsible for a patient&#8217;s treatment plan.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Working with Underserved Communities<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6564\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/CNS2-Resized-scaled-e1678230843741.jpg\" alt=\"Nurse practitioner or physician assistant or clinical nurse specialist\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, socioeconomic factors stand in the way of patient care. Although you may know what your patients need to do to improve their health, they may not have the resources to implement your care plan, which can be disheartening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The most difficult aspect of being a nurse practitioner is trying to give patients the best care when they don\u2019t have the best circumstances. At times, the treatment or medication needed isn\u2019t covered by their insurance. Also, many patients don\u2019t have the financial means to afford healthy foods or their medication,&#8221; explained Lawana V. Brown, MSN, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/whnp-bc\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHNP-BC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Director and Associate Professor of the Women&#8217;s Health NP online program at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/online.regiscollege.edu\/faculty\/lawana-brown\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regis College<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;There is so much disparity in healthcare and there are so many marginalized populations. I would love to think that as the provider, I can dictate the best care for my patient and make sure they get it,&#8221; Brown says. &#8220;Often, that decision is made by entities other than me. This is frustrating.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Emotional Stress and Mental Health<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stresses of being a frontline healthcare worker are well documented, and NP jobs are no exception. Healthcare professionals devote their careers to improving the lives of their patients, but working with sick patients can be mentally taxing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that healthcare professionals must deal with intensely emotional situations, including human suffering and death. These situations can cause feelings of loss, guilt, helplessness and grief, putting NPs at risk for depression and burnout. Negative emotions are especially problematic for those who prioritize the well-being of others and don&#8217;t pay attention to their own mental health needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Nursing is a tough job that can take a toll on mental, physical and emotional health,&#8221; said Susan Gentile, a nurse practitioner at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.choicepointhealth.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ChoicePoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Gentile has an Adult Nurse Practitioner Master of Science and provides urgent care as a primary care provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t get me wrong. I love being a nurse, but there are moments when your heart and soul are crushed into a million pieces,&#8221; she said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help manage stress and boost their resilience, nurse practitioners should <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wellness\/implement-mindfulness-and-gratitude\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practice mindfulness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and self-care, plus use employee assistance programs to develop coping strategies when needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Exposure to Illnesses<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you care for sick patients, there&#8217;s always a risk of exposure to infectious diseases, needlestick injuries and other hazards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Nurses are expected to work long hours without breaks, so they come into contact with a lot of sick people. It makes them and their families susceptible to illness, as well,\u201d explained Gentile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She noted that working during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Some of the hardest days were when I was working at the hospital, especially when COVID-19 cases were on the rise again,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I kept washing my hands during the shifts and when I used to finish, I would take a long warm bath.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Impacts of Stress on Personal Health<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-6110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"NP with patient\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-1536x806.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-2048x1075.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-705x370.jpg 705w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/12\/NP-or-PA-with-patient-Resized-1410x740.jpg 1410w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nurses at all levels can experience stress. In addition to the factors described above, nurses cope with long hours of work, difficult patients and family members, staffing shortages and increased workload as more patients seek access to healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent stress can translate into health problems. A 2021 study in BMC Nursing examined job stress and chronic conditions based on the positions and duties of nurses in Taiwan. The study found that compared to RNs, nurse practitioners and head nurses experienced higher levels of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the study also found that factors such as age, BMI\u00a0and the responsibility of caring for other family members were also associated with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and hypertension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These results may mean that higher levels of these conditions also exist among NPs in the U.S., where NPs are, on average, older than RNs. In the United States, the average age of a registered nurse was 43.5 years in 2019, according to Statista. The average age of a nurse practitioner was 46 years, reported\u00a0the American Association of Nurse Practitioners based on its 2022 National Nurse Practitioner Workforce Survey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Reduced Autonomy in Some States<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RNs enjoy similar responsibilities no matter where in the country they practice, but an\u00a0NP&#8217;s scope of practice changes from state to state. As of October 2022, NPs can only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/roles-of-advanced-practice-providers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">practice independently in 26 states<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the District of Columbia. However, California is expanding its scope of practice for NPs, making them the 27th state to do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In these full-practice authority states,\u00a0NPs can practice to the full extent of their abilities, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests and prescribing medication and treatment. Other states limit the scope of practice of NPs or require clinical oversight or collaboration with a physician.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This lack of consistency means NPs work differently in each jurisdiction. Depending on where you live, you may need to relocate to another state if you wish to practice autonomously. NPs considering <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/travel\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nurse practitioner jobs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should also be aware of different levels of autonomy and adapt their practice accordingly when crossing state lines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This inconvenience may be worth it if you&#8217;re interested in earning higher wages. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/travel\/salary\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nurse\u00a0practitioner&#8217;s salary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is typically higher than a permanent NP&#8217;s. Vivian\u2019s salary data on February 28, 2023, shows that the average travel nurse\u00a0practitioner salary was $3,461 per week or $86.53 per hour based on a 40-hour workweek.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any healthcare provider, being a nurse practitioner has good and bad points. While this advanced nursing role has many benefits, you may consistently find yourself in challenging situations. Always remember to take care of yourself as you take care of others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Elevate your career by exploring the latest job openings from top staffing partners on Vivian Health today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background-color: #124e3b; color: #fdfeff; font-size: 20px; border-radius: 10px; padding: 15px; min-height: 30px; min-width: 120px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/browse-jobs\/landing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Browse Jobs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NPs from across the country give us a glimpse into their work and some of the challenges they face.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":6562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,10,107],"tags":[290,294,331,303,90],"class_list":["post-6561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","category-nurse-life","category-wellness","tag-discipline","tag-employment","tag-nurse-practitioner","tag-permanent","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/03\/Nurse-practitioner-with-patient-Resized-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6561"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6561\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}