Are nurse practitioners happy?

Question

Roger Raber · Accepted Answer

Yes, nurse practitioners are overall very happy in their professional positions. NPs have many of the benefits of being a physician combined with some of the characteristics that they loved about nursing.

While the pandemic has put a great deal of pressure on all working in the medical field, nearly 82% of nurse practitioners, stated in a Medscape survey, that they would make the same career choice over again. It has recently been ranked as the #2 best health care related job in the United States and with an average salary of approximately $120,000, NPs earn nearly $36,000 more than RNs.

The job of an NP offers both flexibility and autonomy. Compared to their careers in the nursing profession, NPs are not required to work mandatory overtime or assume additional duties due to staff shortages. Many NPs work in individual offices rather than hospitals or emergency care centers. Whereas RNs carry out the mandates of a doctor, NPs are free to assess and administer care to patients based on their own diagnosis. This can be gratifying and eliminates tension or conflict with those overseeing the administration of care.

NPs can work in specialized areas of health care ranging from pediatrics to outpatient care. Some nurse practitioners choose to work on their own in a non-clinical healthcare business. Much of the satisfaction of those working in this field comes from the ability to control their career path and working environment.