Should I go MSN/FNP?

[AngieFutureFNP]

I am supposed to start my MSN/FNP program this coming September but still hesitant. I also have a 7-month old daughter. I did some research with the company I work for and my current pay is not much different than the pay for an FNP. I will be taking out a huge student loan and I'm not sure if I want to be paying a student loan for say 5 years considering that I won't be paid as much. Any thoughts?

[llg, PhD, RN]

If you are not sure you really want to be an FNP, then wait. The opportunity will still be there later. But if, in your heart, you really want to be an FNP and will not be happy with life if you don't do it ... then do it. Don't go through life hating your job and resenting your daughter because her existence prevented you from pursuing your dream. But also, don't burden yourself with debt you don't need unless you really want to be an FNP enough to be worth the financial sacrifices you will have to make.

[AngieFutureFNP]

It's always been my dream to become an FNP. I will have 1 year in SNF, 4 yrs in med surg, and 3 yrs in tele experience by the time I finish the program. Would that be enough experience behind me?

[llg, PhD, RN]

You can go to FNP school without any experience. You'll probably be one of the most experienced nurses in your class. But experience wasn't what you were concerned about in your original post. It was the debt you will be in when you are done. Only you can say whether or not it will be worth it to you emotionally to have that much debt. From your response to my post, it sounds like you have already made up your mind about the debt -- and decided that it is worth it to you.

[AngieFutureFNP]

I am still concerned about debt and my baby. I just want to really see if I can do it.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I am still concerned about debt and my baby. I just want to really see if I can do it.

Yes. You can do it. A lot of people go to NP school with far less experience than you have.