Please help! Is it worth it???

[jenwillRN]

Just wondering if anyone has had this issue...

I have been a nurse for 25 years and feel like I am at a crossroads. I have my BSN and have been contemplating returning to school for my Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP. I completed Kaplan's online RN-BSN 8 years ago and thought the program was good and I enjoyed it so was considering returning there for my NP. Has anyone done the program? Did you like it? How long did it take to complete? And lastly, did you feel prepared to take the certification exam.

I guess I'm just wondering if at this point its just too late. I'm 45 years old...I feel like I would be wasting my time and money.

On the other hand, working 12 hours shifts in the ICU is making me feel stuck...like I need to challenge myself...

Thanks for any feedback!

Jennifer

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Since you offered up your age, I will point out that you have 22 years to work until full retirement age.

I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't pursue NP, but there is plenty of time left in your career.

I cannot comment on the quality of the Kaplan program. But I will offer the caveat that my large hospital system has put in place a policy preventing students from certain online programs from using our hospitals as clinical sites, or soliciting system-employed NPs from serving a preceptors. I have read of similar situations with online nursing programs from others here at AN. Do your homework carefully.

Good luck to you.

[Libby1987]

I can't speak to the program but my sister attended and completed her CRNA at 50. She wouldn't have been able to physically continue her bedside work until retirement so she invested and pursued something that she could.