A lot of people take their job as part of their identity. Your work signifies something important to you, something you’ve dedicated years of education, training, practice, and expertise to. Therefore, when people get a promotion, such as the transition from RN to NP (Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, respectively), it can lead to some shifts in what we feel about ourselves. Additional duties can simultaneously be a cause of pride and pressure.
Well, today we’re here to help with that. We’re going to be looking at how nurses can navigate not only the adjustment in duties that come with a promotion, but also the possible identity shifts that may occur as a result of taking on extra responsibility.
What Makes a Registered Nurse and Nursing Practitioner Different?
Being a nurse is one of the hardest jobs a person can do, but the right person will also find it intrinsically rewarding and thrive on working with a variety of people and a high-pressure environment. Their responsibilities are primarily care-based, meaning that they are responsible for maintaining the care routine of the patient as laid out by a doctor.
This includes administering medication, recording details and symptoms, operating medical equipment, assisting in surgeries, supervising practical/vocational nurses, as well as nursing assistants and nursing students, and more.
Someone who works as a nurse may consider themselves extroverted, or at least motivated by working closely with people. They may be considerably altruistic and thrive in situations that demand quick thinking in a crisis.
A Nursing Practitioner shares several similarities with an RN, however, there is more authority and autonomy involved. An NP takes on some of the care responsibilities of a nurse; however, their increased knowledge also allows them to prescribe medicine, create and implement treatment plans, order lab tests, and perform small medical procedures. They also serve as the senior staff to other nurses in their team, such as CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants), LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses), and RNs.
NPs should generally have the same altruistic nature as RNs, but should also be able to lead a team effectively.
Beginning the Transition from RN to NP.
Like with any big change in life, starting the transition from RN to NP begins with education and learning. NPs need to achieve a Bachelor’s in Nursing Science or BSN. This is generally undertaken as a four-year undergraduate study; however, RNs with an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) can also take a two-year RN to BSN study pathway.
Additionally, all states require that NPs hold a DNP, a Doctor of Nursing Practice. This qualification is often confused with a Ph.D, but the DNP is designed to prepare students for the more hands-on role of a Nursing Practitioner, whereas a Ph.D in nursing is aimed towards those wanting to pursue a career in nursing research and academia.
Once these qualifications have been attained, the last step is to receive your certification, which is done by taking the National Board Certification exam administered by your state’s Board of Nursing. Once certified, you can reasonably apply for an open NP position, go through the interview process, and if you’re lucky, get the job.
Navigating the Change
The first thing that you might notice going from RN to NP is that there’s a significant uptick in your responsibilities. Not only are you taking on the care duties of an RN, but you’re also acting as a senior to a team of nurses who work alongside you.
The first step in setting your mind at ease when confronting these changes in responsibility and recognize that you earned your spot here. Being an NP isn’t really something you can fake your way through. There are stringent educational requirements, and the requirement for a potential NP to have a certain number of logged hours of nursing before going for the position. In other words, you have to prove you have the requisite expertise and knowledge.
Being an NP can be intimidating, after all, now it’s not just patients relying on you, it’s other nurses, and the increased autonomy and flexibility that comes with the role means that you have to be more proactive in your position.
Some people may find it difficult to perceive themselves as proactive, but if you’re a nurse, it’s likely you’re already using this proactivity without knowing it. A nurse has to be effective at juggling several different jobs at once, as well as anticipate patient needs and work well in a crisis. You can use that same proactivity in your NP position; you just need to be aware of what needs doing, and there is always something that needs doing when working as a nurse.
Remember that you’ve earned this, that your vocation is exactly that, yours. People will be looking to you for answers because you have them. Be calm, be patient, and be reassured.
