Advanced Education

[rlherzbe]

I am a 48 year old ICU nurse and I am working on a masters degree. I have just finished my first year actually. It was much harder than I expected. I am working toward a FNP degree. It IS what I want to do, but I am so stressed out by the work load, plus my usual life stressors that we all have, and I do have to work full time...I just am wondering if it is worth it. And I am going into debt to do this. I am very discouraged. I want to kept moving forward. I want to be a nurse practitioner, but I don't want to be stressed out and suffer a huge debt burden. Should I just say uncle? Should I say I have a good enough career now, and kick back and enjoy my life? I sure would welcome any feedback.

Thanks.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Welcome to allnurses

it is a difficult question to answer and I suppose it will really depend on what you want to do the most. I love being a NP, far more than I enjoyed ICU and I loved ICU, for me personally it was a really good career move and I am very content doing what I do

I don't think anyone else is going to be able to give you the answer you want because there are so many factors you have to consider.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

When I was in graduate school the Dean's secretary researched avenues of financial aid and kept me signed up for scholarships. I never paid for much, except books. A friend who was getting her APN license and mid-wife license approached an MD about a plan. He paid her tuition in exchange for her working with him for a specific time period at a reduced rate. Before the time expired he released her from the contract, gave her a raise and is now paying for two more. After he found out how it benefited him in so many ways it was worth it I guess. Consider alternate choices so you can work fewer hours.