Anyone else have a case of cold feet?

[bruinlaura]

I start my ACNP master's in June. I am about 3 weeks from finishing my BS and I'm direct-entry. I have never been on such a roller coaster of emotions before.

I'm wondering if this is the right decision. I mean how many times can I get asked why didn't you just go to med school and not doubt my decision a little.

I am doubting whether I will be able to get a job when I'm done. Despite my desire to work as an RN my program has made it impossible and if I take a year off I kiss my $10,000 scholarship goodbye.

I feel crazy for doing this when I am not even confident in the RN role even though I am at the same time extremely confident in my director's program (which includes a 1 year residency. yay!).

Since it's always nice to know someone else feels the same way I wanted to ask, anyone else is having cold feet?

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

I've been an RN for years - and I wondered if I had made the right decision going into my grad program. I think it is pretty normal before starting into any large committment to wonder if you are in the right place.

As for the "why didn't you just go to med school" question...docs work longer hours, carry a higher student debt burden (although I'm beginning to wonder about that now!) and are more likely to bear the expense of opening their own practices. Med school take 4-7 years with a residency, malpractice insurance is higher...etc etc etc.

Frankly - I love being a nurse. Thats why I wanted to be a nurse practitioner.

Can you work as an RN one day a week somewhere? In between semesters? Can you volunteer your RN skills at a free clinic?

[christvs, DNP, RN, NP]

I've been an RN for 9 months now & I will start my ACNP program next month. I am excited to start but also a bit nervous. I haven't exactly been reading many nursing books lately (except to keep up with nursing continuing ed hours and CPR re-certification) so I feel out of practice with the studying aspect. Good luck with your program. I think grad school is a great idea. :)

[bruinlaura]

I'm feeling better today. I just was feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. 16 hrs of sleep later (I was really tired) and I am way less anxious.

I have similar answers to the med school question (Reason #1 being that while I want to enjoy my career I don't want my it to be my life). Logically NP makes way more sense to me too. Sometimes my heart just doesn't work as logically as my brain.

If there were hospitals willing to hire me per diem as a new grad I'd be there. There aren't. At least not where I am. It is a good idea though.

Thanks for the replies

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

YES YES YES. Laura, pumpkin, I feel you. I do have to work for one year in between, and I want to VOMIT.

And yes on the med school thing too. Honestly, I'm still not sure what I'm gonna do. Even my psychiatrist is all "So, you're smart, and you keep hammering on how NPs are basically the same as doctors [in my specialty, that's true] so why didn't you just..." I think it's being in the hospital all the time and seeing docs and nurses, and not being sure I'm ready for ANYTHING... 'Cause, you know, if I go to med school then I get to put off being a grownup for a while longer. I plan to work my year as an RN, and then decide whether to continue or apply to postbacc programs.