Is it a smart move to become an FNP at this point in my life?

[RNWV]

I would love some advice from anyone who has some perspective on my dilemma.

I am trying to decide if I'm just crazy or if it is a smart move to go back to become an FNP at this point in my life.

My history: I have graduated from an RN BSN program in the spring of '13 and went to work in an ICU straight from school. This spring of '15 I plan to go back to complete stats and possibly look to take the GRE. I then hope to be accepted and begin an online FNP program the fall of '15.

I've had people tell me that I SHOULD go back to school before I get married, have kids, and the works... however, I'm scared that I may be starting something that is going to be way over my head?

Dilemma:

1- I know that nursing experience is obviously a benefit before going back to school, but is it a make it or break it thing versus drive and a desire to be the best?

2- Does the university that I go to online really matter? Does it need to be a state university or are programs from Walden and Kaplan online have just as good of outcomes and hiring standards?

3- What certs are good to have prior to going to FNP school? (like CCRN?; do schools look for that?)

4-What RN jobs are best prior to getting a degree as an FNP?

Thanks in advice for ANY advice and opinions!

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Your #1 and #2 dilemmas are both hot topics on this forum, and I'm sure you can find numerous threads where these topics are hotly debated.

My background was as an ER RN with only a few years of RN experience before I went back to FNP school. I have cohorts with 20+ years, and several with 2-5. No magic number I have found is the right number of years of experience as a RN from what I can tell. I think the bigger thing is whatever you do during those years, you want to focus on understanding and learning the pathophys for the conditions you are treating, the reasoning behind the labs/tests being ordered and how they relate to the care, etc. That kind of knowledge will be beneficial to your future education.

As for certs, I think my list of certs were helpful on my application because it indicated to the faculty that I was studying and learning during my RN time. I don't know this for a fact, but I believe it helped. I don't think they required it as many of my cohorts did not have certs, or had different ones. I don't think it matters what certs you have as long as they are appropriate to you position at that time.

On the best job front, again I don't think their is a best. ER and ICU seem to be popular with my cohorts, but we also have school nurses, LTC nurses, and a mix of just about anything you can ask for. Again, I think as long as you are learning and applying yourself that is important and conveying that will help with your application.

As for if now is the right time for you to go back, only you can answer that. If your asking is it doable with your level of experience, absolutely doable if your situation is right and you are willing to put in the effort.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I agree you have to be ready to manage your schooling and work independently whether you are in on campus setting or online.

Time management and self-esteem has to be there whether you now or later. I started taking graduate courses when I was barely a nurse for a year. I have worked mostly subacute and LTC. Honestly I sometimes felt inferior to the ones who had nice hospital experiences, the hospital Rns in my program seemed to see more various of illnesses and presentations. However it depends on the floor you are working on and the turnover of staffing and patent ratios how well you can apply what you learn. I sometimes had 18-19 patients on subacute or 25-30 on long term care. However I am not married yet so i had the freedom of doing things on my own terms and didn't have to worry about raising kids or taking care of my husband and other relatives. I say go for it now you can always take time to reflect if you feel it's not the right school or program for you. The world won't end and you will get something out of it as long as you work hard. I rather go now then in ten years or so when my relatives will be older and need me more then.

[Hi2Jenn]

There are pros and cons of having experience. There were students in my class with 2-20+ years of experience. I found that in many cases it didn't really matter. I do feel that having had home health experience and management helped me with some aspects. I had a more rounded picture of outpatient topics than those who had only ever worked acute care. I definitely think it would be easier to go before you take on children and a family. They do tend to make things harder. I definitely would not let it stop me.

As far as certifications, I really don't know what they are looking for, but I didn't really have any certifications. I think your GRE and GPA matter more.

I also am more traditional in that I believe in a known school name. I would consider getting my degree from a new for profit online school. I know they are accredited and I know they provide the same education. Like I said, I'm just old fashioned that way.

[ICURN7]

As stated above, some of your questions has already been answered in the forum, so just google and you will find plenty of them. I do not believe schools look out for your certs when making decisions on your application. They are generally not a requirement. However, some schools look out for your years of experience in nursing. It could be any specialty. Your GPA matters, however. Some do require GRE if your GPA is at or below a certain number (say 3.2 for example). As for family, I would get as much as i can before getting married. But i won't personally delay getting married if i find my second half along the way…:) Majority of us do have family, work and still go to school. Getting married is a good thing but i won't necessarily stop school because of that. I can reduce my hours at work and in school and finish up. Good luck!