Like many younger nurses I have had the drive to continue my education. Less than a year after getting my RN-diploma I enrolled in a RN-BSN program. After being a nurse for only 3 years I enrolled in an FNP program. Here's the thing, I can't tell you WHY I enrolled in an FNP program. Sure, I wanted to continue my education, I thought I wanted to have more career opportunities, all those things that everyone says. But there is a problem.
I love being a bedside nurse. I love being on the front line working in the hospital and being the face that patient's see. I love learning and perfecting my skills that only a bedside nurse would use, like IV starts. I look forward to going to work.
I hear many of my co-workers that are younger saying how they can't wait to get away from the bedside and how exciting it must be for me to be almost done with my degree. I see other nurses I know graduate NP programs and get jobs, and while congratulating them all I can think is how boring their new position sounds.
I am doing great in my NP program and have an A average with a 3.75 GPA. I intend on graduating I am just not sure I actually want to use my degree as it was intended. For the part of the country I am in, I would expect a generous raise to go from RN to FNP, but money isn't what it is all about. I find myself thinking about certifcations and other things I had still hoped to obtain as an RN that I may not have time to obtain before I become an FNP.
