Acute care or primary care

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Please help me choose a program. I was accepted to two different programs. One is ddult/gero primary care. The other is acute care adult/gero. The problem is, I want to continue working in the hospital, but the acute care program costs about $15,000 more. I am paying out of pocket. Loans are not an option. The primary care program I should have enough to pay for. The acute care would be cutting it close. Basically I'd be one financial hit away from having to drop out (big medical bill, car repair, etc). I'm torn because the acute care is more up my alley, but I have to consider the finances. I'm not sure the job market for these specialties either (northern Ohio). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

You really need to find out what your return on investment will be with each program. What would you make as a primary care NP (who can only see pts aged 13 & up) vs. an acute care NP working in the ICU or ER in a hospital? The wage difference might be significant, depending on what area of the country you're in and what the job market is like in your area.

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Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

No point in doing primary care just because it's cheaper. You'll end up regretting it. If acute care is what you want then go for it. Happiness over money.

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bump please

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Due to money issues I have no choice but to do the primary care program. Even that is going to make money tight in my home. There are just no grants or scholarships available.

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