Just considering all my options in returning to school to further my nursing career. I've most recently been debating between stopping at BSN or going for NP. My ultimate goal when I first knew I wanted to be a nurse, was be a NP OB/GYN. My passion has always been for mothers, mother-to-be and womans health. Peds has a special place in my heart as well. In general, of course, I'm just happy when I'm helping people.
I love what I do as an LPN, but I am not content on making this my life long career. I have 2 awesome kids in grades 1st and 2nd. My husband and I both work full time just to keep our heads afloat month to month. I want to return to school ASAP!!!
I just wanted to know if any of you were in similar circumstances when you started on your way to become a NP. Maybe you are considering the journey right now and have anything to add? Did you wait until your kids were older? Did you work and do school full time? If not, what worked best for you and how long did it take you?? Do you like where you are at now in your professional life and/or personal life? Please share your experiences with me. Any feedback is super appreciated!!
Specializes in Huntingtons, LTC, Ortho, Acute Care.
No children I was a child "prodigy" after exhausting a lot of the AP classes available, I was starting to be troublesome cause my boredom distracted my classmates... So my high school paid for my tuition for a vocational school for my LPN, I was an LPN when I was 17, mid way through the program they let us do CNA so I did that when I was 16. I'm 27 now and spent all of my working life in health care. I love thinking what I do makes a difference. And I don't have children yet cause my husband and I decided to try to wait for school to be done. But if there's an "accident" it'll be a happy one
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
No children I was a child "prodigy" after exhausting a lot of the AP classes available, I was starting to be troublesome cause my boredom distracted my classmates... So my high school paid for my tuition for a vocational school for my LPN, I was an LPN when I was 17, mid way through the program they let us do CNA so I did that when I was 16. I'm 27 now and spent all of my working life in health care. I love thinking what I do makes a difference. And I don't have children yet cause my husband and I decided to try to wait for school to be done. But if there's an "accident" it'll be a happy one
Lol thanks for sharing. Sounds like you've had a wonderful start. One of those lil darling "accidents" would be great now that you've already come so far. I'm 27 as well:up:
I started as an LPN 19 years ago working part-time for 6mo until a FT position was available. I have been FT ever since working the past 15 years in a hospital while getting my ASN, BSN, and FNP. I went back for my BSN when my son was 6 months - took me 4 years but I graduated with a 3.98 and went right into my FNP program that fall. I have always gone to school part time taking 3-9 credit hours/ semester. NP programs require much self teaching and are time consuming with study time and assignments. Programs become increasingly more demanding as you begin clinical hours and are talking classes at the same time and or writing your thesis/project. I first started FT but decided to drop to part time. PT was stressful enough and I'm a tough cookie! It can be done!
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
I started as an LPN 19 years ago working part-time for 6mo until a FT position was available. I have been FT ever since working the past 15 years in a hospital while getting my ASN, BSN, and FNP. I went back for my BSN when my son was 6 months - took me 4 years but I graduated with a 3.98 and went right into my FNP program that fall. I have always gone to school part time taking 3-9 credit hours/ semester. NP programs require much self teaching and are time consuming with study time and assignments. Programs become increasingly more demanding as you begin clinical hours and are talking classes at the same time and or writing your thesis/project. I first started FT but decided to drop to part time. PT was stressful enough and I'm a tough cookie! It can be done!
Wow that's amazing! That is so encouraging to hear. Thanks so much for sharing. I feel much better about going forth now.
I am in my second semester of NP school, and from my experiences from a LPN to ADN to BSN, I am finding contacts for clinical rotations for next year. It is really special to have providers who are so proud of me because of my work and education. One of the NPs wrote a letter responding to my request of how she would be honored to precept me. Anyway, I am so thankful for the process of learning and working, as I feel really well prepared in a holistic kind of way and I would not do it over again by going straight for BSN. I would start again at the level of LPN, as every day of those experiences I value. I went from an assisted living, nursing home, sub-acute, and now in a hospital, with each place pretty much matching my level of education. I did not take a break between school, by the way, and that helped with keeping focus.
I know a woman who went LPN, transitioned to RN, got a BSN, MSN (PMHNP), DNP-FNP, then PhD. I think she struggled with self image. Super sweet lady. Cried when patients were mean to her.
I received an LPN in 1998, started working and realized that was not for me. I went back to school and graduated with my BSN in 2004. I worked in a wide range of areas - cardiac, renal, ED, Med-Surg, ICU and my favorite Neurosurgery Stepdown. In 2011 I started taking courses for my Masters, all while working full time. Due to some family issues, It took me until Spring of 2015 to finish. I graduated with my Masters of Nursing Science (MNSc) Family Nurse Practitioner at the age of 50! I was one of the oldest in our class! I have been working at my dream job and having a blast! I still get let out a little giggle every now and then when I walk into a room and introduce myself as an FNP. I believe my history as being an LPN and a BSN all of those years have brought me a wealth of experiences that I can use when I am seeing my patients now. In fact, the physician I work with is always telling people his two APRNs have 18 and 28 years experience and it shows!
Specializes in Pediatric/Adult Open Heart, Transplant.
Hi, I started as an LPN in 2010; I worked full time and completed a bridge to RN program in 2012; I worked for a year, then completed my BSN with Western Governor's University in 2014 (it took me 11 months, working full time and with 3 kids, a husband, and 4 pets). I worked another year, then started my acute care NP program at the University of South Florida in 2015 (I only have 3 semesters of clinicals left before graduation!) and I'm working full time and take call every other weekend. Work, kids, and school are completely doable if you are motivated and VERY well organized. Best of luck!
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
Hi, I started as an LPN in 2010; I worked full time and completed a bridge to RN program in 2012; I worked for a year, then completed my BSN with Western Governor's University in 2014 (it took me 11 months, working full time and with 3 kids, a husband, and 4 pets). I worked another year, then started my acute care NP program at the University of South Florida in 2015 (I only have 3 semesters of clinicals left before graduation!) and I'm working full time and take call every other weekend. Work, kids, and school are completely doable if you are motivated and VERY well organized. Best of luck!
Wow, what an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing
BabyFood26
203 Posts
Good to know! Its just a relief knowing im not the only crazy woman who thinks she can juggle mommyhood, being a wife, a student and a nurse! Lol