doubts about starting MEPN

[mingus_lost]

I've been accepted to the only MEPN program in my area, and I'm schedule to start in 2 months. I am having major cold feet though. I don't know exactly what I want to do in nursing, and this school only has a small handful of specialty tracks to choose from. I'm worried that I'll want to do something they don't offer after I do the pre-licensure year. Also, there is no BSN awarded after the first year like there is in some programs. So, I worry that it if it isn't a good fit, I would end up totally stuck and unable to step out after getting through the RN portion.

I am confident that I could be very successful in this program, but I just don't feel very excited about starting. I already have two graduate degrees. This would be my last, and I want it to be the right one. For those of you who are in MEPN type programs, do you think my hestitation and lack of clarity about my goals are likely to be big problems? In other words, do you think one needs to be totally enthusiastic about and commited to the effort to get through it? Did anyone else have such doubts and end up glad they went for it anyway?

Sorry if I sound whiny; I've been debating this for months and I'm worn out from it.

[arciedee]

I understand your concerns... I think that it's a huge commitment to choose a specialty prior to receiving the basic training. It's great for those who know exactly what they want to do, but it can be highly nerve-wracking for those who do not. What are the options available to you? If family or adult practice are options you can always do that since it will open many many doors for you... you could always go on for a post-grad certificate if you wanted to go for a different specialty later. But you can go a lot of different routes by choosing one of those two.

As for the lack of BSN, my school, too, does not award a BSN after completion of the pre-licensure track. For those who plan to stay in-state it's okay, since the state has a special provision for us to be licensed without having graduated yet, but if they move out of state there's no guarantee that they'll be able to transfer their license because of the lack of degree. So it's certainly something to take into consideration.

Good luck with your decision.