There are downsides to being a nurse practitioner.
A career as a nurse practitioner can have advantages and disadvantages. Caring for the sick in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices can be a fulfilling task but there are also downsides that nurse practitioners have to deal with. Nurse Practitioners are nursing board certified and hold either a master's or a doctorate in a specific specialty such as family practice, pediatrics, or women's health . There are a few things to consider before starting advanced training and officially becoming a nurse practitioner.
Training Required
Training to eventually become a nurse practitioner is a long and arduous task. Nurse Practitioners complete intense training and schooling in order to have a role that is much wider than that of a traditional nurse. Prospective students admitted to nursing school are expected to have already graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing. This knowledge is backed up with a year or two of nursing experience.
TIme and Pressure
Managing health care is a stressful occupation. A nurse practitioner, like a doctor, is expected to care for patients, write prescriptions for patients, and care for patients beyond the scope of a general nurse. Prospective nurse practitioners are warned ahead of time that they will have to deal with a lot of pressure. There is a constant need to deal with patients and their families. Patience is another virtue that nurse practitioners should have. It is also important that nurses know keep their emotions stable in facing stressful situations like abuse and death.
Scope and Limitations
The law regarding nurse practitioners can be confusing, as its scope and limitations tend to vary from state to state. For example, in some states a nurse practitioner can practice individually as a family practice or specialty physician while in other states they must work in partnership with a certified doctor. Nurse midwives, although certified, are not even legally allowed to deliver babies in certain places.
Changes To Lifestyle
Those who work in the health care field often have irregular work schedules. A nurse practitioner can not predict when a patient needs care and attention. Nurse practitioners need to be ready to drop everything and go to work during on-call duties. This does not include the daily, regular schedule a nurse practitioner works. Before deciding to go to nursing or graduate school to be a nurse practitioner, be prepared for the changes this chosen career can bring to your family and lifestyle.
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