Updated
Aug 04, 2009 at 02:05 PM by a.malone
BSN/RN IN NEED OF ADVICE... I am currently studying for my MSN/FNP through an online program at Tennessee State Univ. I am a stay at home mom and pregnant with my third child in four years. I became a RN, worked eight months at Vanderbilt, then got pregnant and had hyperemesis. I've been home since then and plan to stay home until my unborn (youngest starts preschool). In the meantime i'm working toward the MSN.
This to say, by the time I have to leave for clinicals I will have a 4, 2, and 1 year old at home. My clinicals will require me to be gone 40 hours/wk for four consecutive semesters for 3wks, 6wks, 3wks, and another 6wks...and after these four semesters i'm finished. Both grandmothers will have to fly in to be with the little people while i'm away as we have no family here being former military. This will strain both sides of the family but they are all willing to help.
My dilemma is this...should I proceed with the MSN or walk away. I am struggling with leaving my little people at such a sweet time for so long (I know this sounds ridiculous to some...but being home with them is all I know and such a blessing). I am happy with my current degree and licensure and can make a great living as a second income with what I have. On the other hand, I can't foresee in five or ten years what my career will entail. Will I regret not knocking out the MSN while my kids are babies or will I be just as happy being a RN? I don't want to go back later, it is now or never for three reasons. One, I have a 6 year window to finish with TSU and if I don't proceed that will close (don't want to retake those core classes). Two, I don't want to wait until the kids are in school because I want to enter the workforce in my mid 40s instead of STILL being a student. Third, if I wait NP will require the DNP and well, enough said. RN VS FNP...what role do I want? Both are appealing and I have equal respect and admiration for both roles. The money isn't a consideration in the immediate...but in 15 to 18 years i'll have children entering college, elderly parents, and be pushing retirement age myself, all at once. At the same time my husband is in healthcare as well, and we would be fine with whatever I decide. Will it be worth leaving my sweet babies in the long run? Is there a NP out there who has been a RN with advice? Have any of you been home with little ones? The time is fleeting and I want to soak it all in. But I have to decide now...my 6 years to finish this degree with TSU is closing. Do I proceed or quit? Do I stick with the education and licensure I am blessed to already have? Do I go for the MSN and suck up the heartache of leaving my babies...to think that in the long run it will be the better road?
Help!!!

p.s..I posted this in post-graduate hoping to gain additional insight from a NP already in the field.
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