[jlan79]

I am a mom to 2 toddlers and I am starting re-evaluating my career options. I have a degree in finance, but don't want to work in the field (what was I thinking?). I would like to enter a nursing program to become an NP. I am thinking I can fulfill the prereq coursework to get into a Nursing program once the kids are in preschool next fall (I only need a few courses). After that, I am looking at a school that offers 15 month accelerated program for an RN (if you already have a degree) and then I can get masters and become an NP. Since I have no medical experience at all, will I need to work as an RN first, or can I just start as an NP once I get the degree? I also heard about PAs and I'm not sure if it's a better option. Is it true that I would need a lot of hospital hours just to get into a PA program? Can anyone tell me what the pros/cons are for NP and PA?

In addition, I would love to work normal hours, ie not a night shift. Would one track be more suitable for that than the other?

[eager1hasbegun]

I don't know much about PAs except that they work under the direction of an MD. As a NP you would have autonomy. You can assess and treat patients, and in most(?) states, write scrips. If you worked in a clinic or office as opposed to a hospital, you would have daylight hours. While I don't think NP programs require RN experience, I would highly recommend it simply because nursing is a skill that is learned in practice, not in school, so NPs with 2-5 yrs RN experience would have an advantage. Of course, everyone here is probably biased and will tell you to choose nursing. It does have the most flexibility and possibility. Have you thought about school nursing?? I've thought that would be a good avenue to take if I had kids in grade school. Good luck with whatever you choose! HTH

Elise

[jlan79]

Thanks, Elise.

I think I am leaning towards NP, but I am kind of confused about working vs not working as an RN first. I have 2 great schools near by and they are offering different things. School A offers fast-track to RN and then a masters for NP. So technically I can become an RN first, work some time and then get the graduate degree. School B (Ivy league school) is offering a combined program where you go straight to NP, so I wouldn't get an opportunity to work in between. Obviously I don't know where I will get accepted, but would option B not be a good choice?

So confused.

[kendel]

Originally Posted by jlan79

I am a mom to 2 toddlers and I am starting re-evaluating my career options. I have a degree in finance, but don't want to work in the field (what was I thinking?). I would like to enter a nursing program to become an NP. I am thinking I can fulfill the prereq coursework to get into a Nursing program once the kids are in preschool next fall (I only need a few courses). After that, I am looking at a school that offers 15 month accelerated program for an RN (if you already have a degree) and then I can get masters and become an NP. Since I have no medical experience at all, will I need to work as an RN first, or can I just start as an NP once I get the degree? I also heard about PAs and I'm not sure if it's a better option. Is it true that I would need a lot of hospital hours just to get into a PA program? Can anyone tell me what the pros/cons are for NP and PA?

In addition, I would love to work normal hours, ie not a night shift. Would one track be more suitable for that than the other?

just curious ? why do u want to change careers?

my husband is a finance person as well and he makes more than i do as a nurse

105,000 per year

[jlan79]

Originally Posted by Kendel

just curious ? why do u want to change careers?

my husband is a finance person as well and he makes more than i do as a nurse

105,000 per year

I went into finance because it was a popular choice at the time, but I really have no interest in it. I am very good in sciences, so I thought a career in medicine would suit me better.

[kendel]

Originally Posted by jlan79

I went into finance because it was a popular choice at the time, but I really have no interest in it. I am very good in sciences, so I thought a career in medicine would suit me better.

ok i understand

fair enough

[swee2000]

Originally Posted by jlan79

After that, I am looking at a school that offers 15 month accelerated program for an RN (if you already have a degree) and then I can get masters and become an NP. Since I have no medical experience at all, will I need to work as an RN first, or can I just start as an NP once I get the degree?

I don't have definite or specific answers to your questions above. But I do have a friend who was in the same boat as you not too long ago. In the end, she chose the NP route because: 1)it will allow her to practice independantly & w/o supervision or direction from a doctor; 2)give her authority to prescribe. Hopefully I worded that correctly. Also, to CMY, I don't know if every state has the same stipulations on an NPs scope of practice and what they can/can't do.

Anyway, this past August she finished a 15-month accelerated RN program, took & passed Boards, and then dove head first into a full-time 3-yr Masters program. In addition, she returned to work at the hospital part-time because: a)she wants to benefit from the experiences & opportunities; b)she wants to help out her family by bringing home a 2nd income(she is married and has a 1-1/2 yr old); and c)she didn't/doesn't want to fall victim to the old saying "what you don't use, you lose" if she had not come back to work.


I don't know if her story helps, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to share it with you.

[balot]

im in the nursing field and im thinking of switching to finance. i guess i love the aspect of business better than i love nursing. could you please give me an insight of what to expect if i follow the finance path. and how much is the salary???? heheheh! thanks in advance

[nurse828]

I left finance for nursing & couldn't be happier. Finance just wasn't for me. I love taking care of people. From personal research, I can share a few thoughts. An accelerated program is very intense. They recommend not working b/c that's pretty much your entire life for the year & 1/2. I don't have kids but wasn't able to not work for that amount of time. I also think taking time to work between programs is a good idea. You'll gain experience & can explore/research areas in the field. It will give you an opportunity to talk to current NP's, etc & get their advice. Good luck!

[HealthyRN]

I recommend a lot of job shadowing before making a decision. It is very possible to go the route that you describe, but do consider if you will be able to find an NP job when you graduate. Experience is valued more than education in the nursing profession. Consider that you may be competing for jobs with NPs that have 20 years of RN experience under their belt.

You could work part-time as an RN while you are in NP school to gain experience. But do know that nursing is a 24/7 job and you will be working weekends, holidays, and long hours as a staff RN. You may be lucky enough to find a day position, but it depends on what area of the country you live in and how severe the nursing shortage is.

Whatever you decide, I recommend getting at least a few years of RN experience before practicing as an NP. I'm not saying that it is impossible to get an NP job without having practiced as an NP (it really depends on the area of the country in which you live and the demand for NPs), but it's not something I would advise. I believe there is a thread on this topic in the NP forum.

For your situation, I think that looking into PA programs would be a good option.