Worth it to go to DNP school?

[LiLoRN]

Hello, new here. I am planning on going to DNP school in the fall (the school I will be attending no longer has a Master's program, but you do get a Master's along the way). I got accepted to the same program (when it was a Master's degree) a couple years ago but had to decline for personal reasons so I'm pretty sure I'll be accepted again. I'm really excited about it because I love nursing and I've always wanted to futher my education. My question is, how hard is it to find NP jobs in this economy? I don't want to spend the time and money (loans!) if it won't get me anywhere. I've heard that the market is getting saturated with NP's--true? I live in Central Florida and do not want to relocate. Also, would it be best to choose the FNP track just to keep my options open even though I really don't want to work with peds? I originally wanted to go to CRNA school but can't afford to not work for 2.5 years.

Thanks for your answers!

[Cardiology EP NP]

I think the job market is still good for NPs, some areas of the US are better than others. It's funny you should mention Florida. I actually had a recruiter from Florida tried to recruit me to work down there and I live near Chicago. I would say, if you don't want to do peds, I wouldn't do an FNP program. If you really want to do a crna program, then I would try to do that. I have a friend in crna school and she loves it. People take out loans to pay their bills and their salary is awesome once they are done with school. Just something to think about I guess.

I am all about following your heart's desires and letting everything fall into place. Sound like a dreamer don't I? Well, I guess my own personal story is a testimony to it. I did an ANP program with a cardiac focus because my ultimate desire was to do something in cardiology. So I followed my heart, finished school and did a job search for 8 months until I found the job I really wanted. And it all just came together, just how I had hoped. Now I know that's not the case for everybody, but in many ways, I know that I have been blessed. Good luck with whatever you choose!