Bad idea to quit after 6m as a new grad for DNP school?

[Theanxiousnurse, BSN]

Ok so when I finished nursing school I got my dream job on a unit at a very well known and competitive hospital. My plan was always to work a few years and then go back to school to become an NP. Long story short I ended up applying to one of the best DNP programs in the county for my specialty last minute and I got in! Now I’m 6 months in as a new grad on my unit starting my DNP program (which will take 4 years) AND I have two young children in diapers. Basically, I’m crazy stressed out and have no work-life balance at all. I asked my manager if I could drop my hours at work and she said no. My husband thinks I should quit my job so we can have a better life while I am in school and also be able to spend more time with our kids while they are still so young. Do you think it would be a mistake to only have 6 months of bedside experience when I graduate as an NP? I realize having more bedside experience would make me a better NP but I also feel like I just can’t make it all work being full-time mom, student, and nurse.

[NewOncNurseRN, BSN, RN]

Does your DNP program have requirements for hours of practice? All of the ones I looked at required a year of practice or so many hours of work experience before the start of clinicals. That is definitely something to keep in mind before you quit. Can you start the program part time? Then maybe later pick up the pace to full time? Another thought might be delaying your acceptance- once you have more experience you could quit or find another part time job somewhere else. This is clearly not ideal but might be what you have to do.

[Theanxiousnurse, BSN]

@NewOncNurseRN The program doesn’t require experience but it was recommended for acceptance. I am also enrolled as semi part time (full time is 3 years, part time is 5). I think even doing fully part time would still be difficult without dropping my hours and I’d rather not be in school that long- but like you said, I might just have to. I have also already started the program (took summer classes and and doing fall now) so if I stop now I’ll have to delay a full year to stick with the class sequencing they require which is annoying. They will also only approve you to do that under special circumstances so not sure if I would be able to anyway. It really stinks that I can’t just drop my hours because I really do love my job but some weeks I have 4 shifts in a row (we work 40 hrs) and that leaves me almost no study time especially since the other three days I’m home with my kids all day.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

4 hours ago, Theanxiousnurse said:

Do you think it would be a mistake to only have 6 months of bedside experience when I graduate as an NP?

Yes. Find something part-time. Perhaps your manager will allow that if you tell her you are going to have to look elsewhere.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Short answer: Yes, very bad idea.

[MountaineerFan57, BSN]

1 hour ago, Theanxiousnurse said:

@NewOncNurseRN The program doesn’t require experience but it was recommended for acceptance. I am also enrolled as semi part time (full time is 3 years, part time is 5). I think even doing fully part time would still be difficult without dropping my hours and I’d rather not be in school that long- but like you said, I might just have to. I have also already started the program (took summer classes and and doing fall now) so if I stop now I’ll have to delay a full year to stick with the class sequencing they require which is annoying. They will also only approve you to do that under special circumstances so not sure if I would be able to anyway. It really stinks that I can’t just drop my hours because I really do love my job but some weeks I have 4 shifts in a row (we work 40 hrs) and that leaves me almost no study time especially since the other three days I’m home with my kids all day.

I’m not really sure why you are asking for opinions; you seem to have made up your mind. You’ve already enrolled and have your reasons lined up for why you can’t stop the program now. Just tell your manager you’re going to have to look for part-time hours elsewhere if she can’t let you drop down.

[Theanxiousnurse, BSN]

@MountaineerFan57 I have pretty much made up my mind that I’m going to leave my current job, but am wondering if I should find part-time work elsewhere or just not work at all and focus completely on school (and my family of course). Obviously it would be easiest not to work, but I don’t want the lack of bedside experience that would come with not working to make it harder for me to get a job as an NP when I graduate.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I think it is fine to leave work to finish a DNP program and be with your kids.

[2ndGenofNurses]

I think it's a very tough and personal decision no matter which way you look at it. In 2008 I started a LPB nursing program & worked a full-time job. No kids. My second year (a fed 39) in I had a house fire and lost everything and my mother and Uncle both had a stroke within the same month. I became a full-time caretaker, which lasted for over the next 10 years. my goal was to go on to get my RN and bachelor's degree. I almost didn't even make it through the program because of all the stress and being so exhausted all the time, my second year I dropped my job. I'm extremely glad I did because I don't think I ever would have past even though I have the brains for it I just didn't have the time. Taking care of my mother especially was my number one priority and in the end if I would have had to quit school together I would have . Now I'm older and I literally can't afford the time to take off of work to go back to school full-time. You'll notice as you get older you just get more Bill's ut seems. I have no other family and no financial support whatsoever. I own a house. Personally if I were in your shoes I would work at least six more months to have a better foot up in school. That later schooling will help ensure your kids have a better financial future as well as you and your husband. You'll never get that 6-month back time. To be with your kids more, but it is only 6 months. I'm much older now taking a class at a time here and there which you will not have the luxury of doing. I am much older obviously. I find it exhausting just to go to one class a semester while working approx 50 hours a week. I fear when that time comes and I actually get to the RN program I might not be able to do it because I don't know how to take off of work and be able to afford it. You are in a good position right now to do what you need to do. You have your husband support. In the end it is up to you of course, I hope sharing my experience just gives you different perspectives to think about.

[SmilingBluEyes]

These programs endanger patient care and the very profession of Advanced Nurse Practice. It's why I am not really interested in seeing an NP for my family's or my care any more. UNLESS I know they have actual experience as a nurse----something that is not as much taught as is EXPERIENCED with years of work, I don't trust them. Nor these schools, who after all, are only after your money. The lower the standards, the worse it all gets.

[llg, PhD, RN]

1 hour ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

These programs endanger patient care and the very profession of Advanced Nurse Practice. It's why I am not really interested in seeing an NP for my family's or my care any more. UNLESS I know they have actual experience as a nurse----something that is not as much taught as is EXPERIENCED with years of work, I don't trust them. Nor these schools, who after all, are only after your money. The lower the standards, the worse it all gets.

I hate the fact that I have to agree with this -- but I do. When it comes to my own care or the care of anyone I love, I am not satisfied with the quality I am seeing in some of the NP programs anymore. I know there are some good programs -- and programs with high standards that graduate NP with both "book learning" and "clinical experience," -- but there are too many of them who have lowered the bar too much for my comfort.

To the OP, I agree with those who recommend that you tell your manager that you need to reduce your hours. If she won't let you do it, resign and find a part-time job. Be one of the great NP's or don't go down that path at all.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

You're want to begin studying to become an expert or "doctor" of a profession that you've practiced for six months?

Honestly, I have no respect for a program that would accept people in that category. And that's absolutely not a personal statement against you as an individual.