Considering dropping out of FNP program

llg, I suppose I saw no need to state what to me is obvious, I have been going to grad school studying to be a family nurse practioner. I had intended to go to med school at one time but it is difficult to do that as a single parent and I delayed going back to school for a very long time after getting a MSW and working as a social worker for many years. It occured to me that nurse practioners, diagnose and treat and have a closer working relationship with the patients in many cases than the doctors. So I was definately too old to consider med school but saw becoming a nurse practitioner as a viable option. Yes the degree is definately neccessary to have the career I want but I am not sure the sacrifices are worth it at this point in my life.

If i continue on I will have the job I would love to have during the last few years of my career, yet I would give up a lot of time with the grands and my partner now. In the long run, I will be able to function as a nurse practioner far longer than I believe I can as a staff RN. It will pay off financially to do this even though I will be able to retire about 7 years after I graduate, I probably will not choose to, where as a staff nurse I would be more likely to retire and my income would be far less in my late 60's and 70's. I would anticipate retiring in my mid 70's which would give me about 15 or 16 years to practice. I really don't want to face coming out of retirement to work at Walmart to supplement my income. I will not be in a postion to live comfortable as I have never accumulated a large pension fund if I were to retire at 67.

On the other hand, I am not thrilled about being at the low end of the learning curve again, but i don't know of any other way to do it. I can't imagine how anyone would end up in Grad school for a second masters if they didn't want the degree or the career. It is a matter of "what do I want most?" I have always loved school and learning anything new. I considered a DSW or Phd. in Social Work but did not think it it would pay off financially, that is when I went to nursing school with the long term goal of becoming an FNP. I initially had no desire to be a nurse but have learned to love it along the way. I also started out as an associates RN making more than I did with my masters and almost 30 years of experience. I obtained my BSN though I don't make any more money with it than I would with a 2 year degree.

I am thinking at this point in time that I may just try to schedule my off time better and attempt to schedule time to spend with the grands and time to work or school and try to stick to it. I will be working full time until the last year of grad school and should be able to cut back to part time the last year. I also have my summers free. There are many positives for going on to school, but there are definately a lot of sacrifices.

Thanks,
Mahage