Advice for an older RN going back for FNP

[abva17]

I am an older nurse (48 year old) with a BSN who has been accepted into an MSN FNP program. I have almost 8 years of nursing experience (5 years med-surg/tele; 2.5 years ER). Once I graduate, I would like to either work in a rural small family practice setting or an urgent care setting.

I have several questions, so here goes. Did anyone else go back to school at a more advanced age and how did it work out for you? Do you have any regrets about going back to school? Did you have any problems finding a job once you graduated? After you were hired as an FNP did your employer offer any assistance with loan repayment?

Any advice, thoughts, or personal experience that anyone can share with me on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Congrats on the acceptance! If you are capable and prepared enough to apply and be accepted, you are capable of completing the program. I fully believe that. If you were seconds from retirement, the debt may not be worth it, but at 48 (which is not "advanced age,") you still have time to make it worth it.

Best of luck!!!!!

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

I definitely didn't see her taking on any responsibility for her education during clinicals. She basically deferred everything to the Dr, saw as few patients as possible, and "copied" other patients to meet her quota. I have seen other NP students in clinicals like her,

This is exactly why those of that are serious about our education are finding it increasing difficult to find willing preceptors for our rotations.

[karma765]

Abva,

I am 53 and have 1 year left in FNP school. I debated on it long and hard. I had always wanted to become an FNP since I started in nursing 25 years ago, but 'LIFE' got in the way. You know how that goes. I have just turned in my Master's thesis which I had in addition to another class at the same time trying to work full time. That was a hell I would like to never repeat. But hey I have a 3.75 GPA overall!! But my kids are all grown and out of the house. Just hubby and dogs at home and my husband is very supportive. He does housework, laundry, and dishes and even cooks. I appreciate his support so I have to try not to be real picky about the housework or cooking.

However, when I decided to do it, I realized I could use student loans. I take the max out and have some saved back for 'financial emergencies'. I am in my last year, starting clinicals next week and going down to part time (2- 12s). We are scrimping and saving, and cutting back to do it.

However, I decided that I can either be 54 (graduate 3/19) and looking for an NP job, or I could be 54 and still wishing I was an NP. Ultimately you have to decide. You life circumstances make a big difference. My good friend is a single parent doing it, so she has to stay full time working. Going to be really hard for her. But she is extremely driven.

If you take it online the first 1.5 years are not bad. But after meeting the on campus students, I realized that they DID have some adavantages as far as the most difficult classes like Advanced Health Assessment, Pharmacology, and Pathosphys maybe. I received good grades in these classes. However, the on campus students said they practiced health assessments and SOAP notes live in the classroom all the time. This has thus far given them the advantage. I say if you are driven and enjoy hard work that is fulfilling, then go for it if your life circumstances are supportive.

I know you probably wanted to hear from people who are already working as NPs, but I could not resist posting. Hope it helps even a smidge.

[karma765]

Abva,

I would also add that I sat down with my husband and we chatted about it and I told him what I thought he could expect. I told him to think about a while and let me know. Ultimately, I was asking him to make a commitment for me to succeed as well as my own commitment. Occasionally I am tired and grumpy and overworked and have to 'gently' remind him that we both committed to this and we are in it until the end, then he agrees. But it is difficult for your support team too, so be sure to include them in your decision if you will need to lean on them for support. Hope that helps.

[karma765]

I would say to any of the potential NP students, don't do it just for the pay raise. In many states, a veteran RN can make as much as an NP, especially a new NP. You have to do it because you want to change how your are using your nursing; you want to do more for your patients, reduce your work ratio (meaning yes you will see a lot of patients, but only one at a time and help your patients qet their questions answered, reduce their fear and anxiety, answer the questions they were afraid to ask a doctor, and so much more. Patient satisfaction when seeing an NP is very high. Patients say they feel 'heard' and are allowed to ask questions. These are the reasons to do it. Pay is definitely not the main reason to do it.

[Uwoell6569]

Thanks for posting your questions and concerns in regards to starting school again later in life. I am 52 years old, and I've been accepted into an ANP program (my dream career). I'll be starting in the fall of 2018. Even though i'm very excited, i have had feelings of apprehension due to starting at 52. This thread was very encouraging. I want to thank everyone for there comments as well.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I was in my later 30s when I finished my ADN program. At 44 I'm just starting my APRN program and I'll be done when I'm 46. I will have at least 20 years to practice, and for me the APRN salary will be an increase from my RN salary because I'm in a union hospital with almost six years experience. So, I may have some student debt, but the positions I will be eligible for as an APRN are much more what I want to do for my second career than my current floor RN positions. Good luck!!

[BirkieGirl]

I will be 43 this summer and in the last few semesters of my post-Master's FNP certificate. I wish I would have done it a little sooner, but I also LOVE the fact that I have a WEALTH of knowledge base from 20 years of nursing to apply. Many of the contributions, quiz answers, papers, etc that I have done have somehow been a diagnosis that my kids have had, or I've seen in the office, etc. So, VERY helpful.

The one thing that stinks for me: hubs is a teacher- I have to provide the insurance, because of this I have to work full time through the program. It's do-able, but I'm moving to a weekend-days position next month in order to finish off the program (will be working an additional half shift and using PTO too). If you have support from your family, spouse it will all work out. It's really very exciting, once you find a comfort zone. if you go a brick & mortar program, be sure to go to the orientation, seek out the professors, maybe ask to be buddied up with another 'non-traditional' student who is in the program (this can be invaluable) and seek every opportunity to get involved and learn. Have FUN!!!

[Oldmahubbard]

It's a shame that there are so many part-time/no benefit teaching jobs now. Probably because the teaching field is that glutted.

[BirkieGirl]

karma- I agree totally with your post. I've replied elsewhere on here, I'm in my 40s and just finishing up too. I always tell co-workers who ask me about school this reply:

"The time is going to pass whether you are in school or still working here. Do you want to look up in 3 years and be a NP, or do you want to look up in 3 years and wish-with regret- that you had taken that first step"?

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm 51 and I'll graduate soon as an AGACNP and I plan on working critical care. My main issue has been that just as I started graduate school, menopause reared its ugly head and I've struggled a bit with that physically and emotionally, however, things are definitely improving in that area. I will have to work for the foreseeable future so why not do something I enjoy? I've been a nurse 29 years and I'm tired. I just worked last night in the ICU and had 4 patients. It's ridiculous but that seems to be the way things are going. I could barely manage to keep up. I can't be doing this until I'm 70. I'd much rather be doing rounds and looking through labs and putting in the occasional central line, thank you very much. The loans suck, no doubt about it, but I earn more every year I work and I know that after a couple of years I'll earn even more. It will work out. It's certainly kept my brain very sharp and has challenged me, and it's made a big difference in how I look at patients in the ICU when I'm there as an RN. I know so much more now and am thinking differently. I really love that aspect.

[abva17, MSN, NP]

Thank you all for the comments and advice. It does make me feel like I am not alone in this new journey. It's encouraging to hear from all of you who have made it through and those of you who are also considering going back to school.