Become a nurse practitioner: Would you still do it?

I asked myself this question a couple of weeks ago:

If I did it all over again, would I still become a nurse practitioner?

And truthfully—I had to think about the answer for a bit.

Not because I don’t love being a nurse practitioner. I do. I love getting to care for patients, build long-term relationships, and make an impact in ways that truly matter. There’s something deeply fulfilling about advocating for a patient, catching something others missed, or simply being the person who listens when no one else has.

But I also had to be honest with myself.

Because there have been some really hard parts of this journey. (And yet nurse practitioners were named BEST Job of 2025 by the U.S. World & News).

The stress. The burnout. The nonstop pace of clinic days. The endless documentation.
The moments when it feels like no one in healthcare really sees the value nurse practitioners provide.

Then add on the Or even the ungrateful, demanding patients that don’t appreciate anything you do. Or the lack of respect within the healthcare system. Or the pay cap that keeps nurse practitioners doing the same (if not more) work for physicians at a fraction of the pay.

Let’s break this down together—the good and the not-so-good. Because if you’re like many nurse practitioners I talk to, you’ve probably asked yourself the same question:

If I knew then what I know now… would I still become a nurse practitioner?

The Rewards of Being a Nurse Practitioner

Let’s start with the why—why so many of us choose to become a nurse practitioner. And also why we still stay, despite the challenges.

🩺 1. Caring for Patients on a Deeper Level

At the heart of it all is patient care.

One of the greatest privileges of being an NP is forming real, trusting relationships with patients. We don’t just treat conditions—we care for the whole person. We educate. We advocate. We walk alongside people during some of the hardest moments in their lives.

There’s a human connection in this role that is hard to match in any other profession. This is the exact reason why I wanted to become a nurse practitioner.

🎓 2. Advancing Your Education and Scope

Becoming a nurse practitioner is no small feat. It requires advanced education, rigorous clinical training, and a true commitment to lifelong learning.

And that education pays off—not just in career opportunities, but in the ability to provide high-quality, evidence-based care. Nurse practitioners are more than qualified to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and manage complex conditions. That kind of autonomy is both empowering and professionally rewarding.

💡 3. Versatility and Career Flexibility

Whether you’re interested in primary care, urgent care, geriatrics, women’s health, or even specialty roles—there’s a place for you as a nurse practitioner.

You can work in clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or even telemedicine. Some nurse practitioners go on to become educators, entrepreneurs, or policy advocates. There’s a flexibility in this role that allows you to shape your career in a way that works for your life.

🌱 4. Making a Tangible Impact

It’s not just about seeing patients—it’s about changing lives. I’ve had patients tell me, “You’re the first person who listened to me,” or “You made me feel like I mattered.”

That kind of feedback doesn’t show up in productivity reports or RVUs—but it’s what makes the long days worth it.

Even knowing how nurses and nurse practitioners rally together to make policy change, this makes me proud to become a nurse practitioner.

Hard Truths of Being a Nurse Practitioner

And yet… for every moment of fulfillment, there are the parts of this job that make you want to scream (or cry, or both).

😩 1. The Pressure of Productivity

Many nurse practitioners work in environments that demand more, more, more—more patients, more documentation, more metrics. A “busy” clinic day can easily turn into 20+ patients, each with complex needs, and barely a moment to breathe in between.

Not only do nurse practitioners have to keep up with the documentation, but also the med refills, analyzing diagnostic data, and the never-ending patient messages.

It’s not just physically exhausting. It’s mentally and emotionally draining.

🧾 2. Prior Authorizations and Administrative Frustrations

Few things are as soul-sucking as prior authorizations. You recommend the treatment you know is right—only to spend hours faxing forms and fighting insurance companies for basic care.

It’s a battle that wears down even the most resilient providers. All we want to do as nurse practitioners is chart for out patients. Unfortunately, the modern healthcare system makes this difficult.

🕐 3. Charting After Hours

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: charting.

I don’t know a single nurse practitioner who hasn’t brought charts home on nights or weekends. Or stayed an hour (or three) late just to finish documentation. It’s one of the top contributors to burnout in our profession.

And the worst part? Charting doesn’t feel like patient care—it feels like busy work. But we’re held accountable for every detail.

🙁 4. Lack of Appreciation and Respect

Let’s be real. Not every patient is kind. Some are demanding, ungrateful, or even disrespectful. And sometimes, despite your best efforts, it still feels like you’re not enough.

On top of that, many nurse practitioners still struggle to gain respect within the healthcare system. We’re often expected to work like physicians—with less support, less recognition, and a significantly lower paycheck.

There’s a ceiling for many of us, both in salary and advancement, and it can feel defeating.

🔥 5. Nurse Practitioner Burnout

Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a very real, very painful reality for many nurse practitioners. And others questions why to become a nurse practitioner.

In fact, recent surveys show that up to 60% of nurse practitioners report symptoms of burnout, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment.

So where is it all coming from?

• Constantly running behind on your schedule
• Spending evenings and weekends charting
• Feeling unsupported or undervalued
• Struggling with work-life balance
• Administrative overload and unrealistic expectations

Burnout often sneaks up gradually. You might find yourself snapping at your loved ones, resenting your patients, or dreading the start of another workweek. And if left unchecked, it can lead to depression, health issues, and even career changes.

So… Would I Do It Again?

Here’s the honest answer:

I don’t regret becoming a nurse practitioner.

But… if I would’ve known all the behind-the-scenes challenges, I’m not sure I would have gone down the same path. Or at the very least, I would have gone into it with a better support system and more realistic expectations.

Because no one warns you about the charting burden, the emotional weight, or the burnout that creeps in quietly until it’s all-consuming.

That’s why I’m so passionate about creating charting resources for nurse practitioners—to give you the tools, shortcuts, and strategies I wish I had when I started.

You can love what you do and still feel overwhelmed by the way you’re expected to do it.

You can be an amazing nurse practitioner and still wonder if there’s a way to make this career more sustainable.

Would you Still Become a Nurse Practitioner?

If you did it all over again—would you still become a nurse practitioner?

It’s okay if the answer is complicated.

You’re allowed to love this work and still feel tired.
You’re allowed to be proud of your role and still want things to change.

Whatever your answer is, just know this: you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep sacrificing your personal life just to keep up with documentation or unrealistic demands.

If you’re ready to take back control of your time and protect your love for this profession, I’m here to help.

Get into STOP Charting at Home in 90 Days for the ultimate guide to get your free time back!

Let’s make this job something you love again. Or love more—without burning out in the process.