Being a nurse practitioner can be highly rewarding, especially as it allows you to help patients feel better and improve their overall health. However, like any other job or career, it comes with pros and cons that you should consider before you begin taking steps to pursue this type of role. If you’re interested in becoming a nurse practitioner, learn more about some of the top advantages and disadvantages associated with this job title.
Pro: Job Security
The rate of employment growth for nurse practitioners in the United States is projected to increase by 28% between 2018 and 2028. At the same time, the number of Americans aged 50 years and older with at least one chronic disease is projected to increase by nearly 100%, from 71.5 million in 2020 to 142.6 million in 2050.
Considering these factors, nurse practitioners are in high demand and likely will continue to be in high demand for the next several decades. Becoming a nurse practitioner can give you solid job security—especially given the ongoing shortage of physicians in the United States. By 2034, the United States is projected to be in need of up to 48,000 primary care physicians and up to 77,100 non-primary care physicians. As a nurse practitioner, you can step in to reduce this burden on healthcare systems that’s occurring nationwide due to physician shortages.
Con: Long and Irregular Hours
Illnesses and diseases can strike at any time, meaning you can expect to work on weekends, holidays, and at night to support both patients and other healthcare staff, depending on the setting you’re working in. As a nurse practitioner, you may end up working 10- and 12-hour days or weeks that exceed 40 hours.
Pro: Competitive Salary
Nurse practitioners in the United States earn an annual salary that ranges between $87,340 and $165,240, depending on factors such as location and skill set. You may have the opportunity to earn more, especially if you work ample overtime or in certain specialties in which nurse practitioners are in high demand.
Con: Emotional and Workplace Stress
Long hours, exposure to serious diseases, and loss of patients due to death are some of the many factors that can increase your stress levels while you’re working as a nurse practitioner. Low confidence, pressure to meet the expectations of your peers, and anxiety regarding the opinions of your coworkers are other common stressors reported by nurse practitioners.
Stress among healthcare workers is widely understood and recognized. Finding the right work-life balance is key to practicing good self-care and maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional health. To combat workplace stress as a nurse practitioner, you can plan to take naps when given the opportunity, spend time with your loved ones outside of work, and practice healthy self-care behaviors such as exercising regularly.
Pro: Opportunities to Specialize in Your Preferred Field
Does a certain medical specialty interest you more than others? As a nurse practitioner, you can pursue a position in the subspecialty field of your choice, such as dermatology, oncology, midwifery, or pediatrics. If you feel passionate about your work and truly enjoy what you do, you’ll potentially have a greater chance of being successful in your career and feeling rewarded.
Con: Lengthy Education Process
Becoming a nurse practitioner requires between four and eight years of schooling, depending on whether you decide to go to school part-time or full-time. On top of that, you will be required to complete continuing education courses throughout your career to maintain your license and to learn new skills and evidence-based practices.
The lengthy education process associated with becoming a nurse practitioner may seem like a con in the beginning, especially if your courses are demanding. However, your education will likely pay off in the long run if you’re passionate about this field of work.
Pro: Option to Do Telehealth
Telehealth is becoming increasingly popular, especially after it became more widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth can be more convenient than in-office visits and make healthcare more accessible to people who live in rural areas or who cannot travel easily due to factors like disability or lack of childcare.
Other benefits of telehealth for nurse practitioners are that it can reduce overhead costs and increase your employment opportunities. Telehealth may also benefit you if you need more flexible hours due to continuing your education or caring for your family.
Con: Exposure to Illness and Disease
Like other healthcare positions, being a nurse practitioner puts you at a higher risk of contracting various illnesses and diseases. Wearing personal protective equipment can reduce your risk—even though the risk, however marginal, will always be present. An effective way to combat regular exposure to illness and disease is to protect your immune system. Managing stress, getting plenty of high-quality sleep, exercising, and eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables can go a long way toward strengthening your immune system.
Every job or career will always have its unique list of pros and cons. If you are truly passionate and excited about becoming a nurse practitioner, you may have an easier time finding creative ways to cope with any disadvantages of this highly rewarding career.
Resource Links
- “Careers for nurses: Opportunities and options” via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- “Projecting the chronic disease burden among the adult population in the United States using a multi-state population model” via National Library of Medicine
- “Doctor shortages are here—and they’ll get worse if we don’t act fast” via American Medical Association
- “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics” via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- “Stressors and level of stress among different nursing positions and the associations with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension: a national questionnaire survey” via National Library of Medicine
- “Telenursing: What Is It and What Are the Benefits?” via AdventHealth University