Changing MSN program

[caseyuptonurse]

Hi all!

I would like some advice on possibilities I could pursue in my current situation.

I am currently enrolled in an FNP program that starts in a few months. I'm starting to have second thoughts about the program.

I initially applied because my workplace is paying for almost all of it and I've always wanted to be a nurse practitioner.

But I'm not so sure I really want to be a family nurse practitioner. I really wanted to be an acute pediatric or neonatal nurse practitioner since high school. The problem is that for the two years I've been working I can't find a pediatric position. I've had multiple interviews but never get the job. I currently work in rehab and I also work per diem in pediatric rehab and subacute pediatrics. I've worked in pediatrics for the past 6 years (I was an aide before a nurse).

But none of my experience is considered acute so I went the FNP route so I could still work with kids.

My current idea is to take the classes (I'm only taking one a semester, the classes are actually even more spaced out in the beginning). The first two and half years are basic MSN classes, I figure by the end of that I should be able to decide where I'm going.

I'm thinking I should apply to pediatric jobs again to find something in the specialty I want and then I could switch my program to an MSN educator track or transfer to a pediatric NP program. My school doesn't offer many specialties.

How hard is it to switch halfway through to anyone who has done it? Should I just put school on hold completely? Or should I continue school and just switch to a different specialty in the future?

My husband wants me to continue the program and just finish the FNP program but my heart just isn't in it right now. I really just want to focus on gaining pediatric experience somewhere but I don't want to lose my opportunity since I am this close to starting the program.