Considering dropping NP School

Published

Hello NP's:

I'm in my first semester of an NP program. I am taking an advanced pathophysiology course now, and I think the instructor believes we are training to be biochemists. I'm resentful to be memorizing the Krebs cycle and learning nothing about pathology. Overall, I'm discouraged by the prospect of sweat, time, and money I'm putting into this program versus what will ultimately be derived from it. My hope is that my training will lead me to a world of new possibilities...opportunity to work as an entepreneur, etc. I have never been a follower, always a leader. (it's difficult for me to be an RN and let someone else decide what's best.)

My goal was to become an NP with a dermatology specialty, and to be able to choose my hours, perhaps work in my own small clinic, or contract to other medical professionals. Here are my questions: Is what lies at the other end worth jumping through all these hoops? Will I do all this just to slave under some Dermatology MD working 60 hours a week?

Is it really a different world of opportunity once you cross over to the other side, and become on NP?

Bless, and thank you for your opinions and experiences.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hello NP's:

I'm in my first semester of an NP program. I am taking an advanced pathophysiology course now, and I think the instructor believes we are training to be biochemists. I'm resentful to be memorizing the Krebs cycle and learning nothing about pathology. Overall, I'm discouraged by the prospect of sweat, time, and money I'm putting into this program versus what will ultimately be derived from it. My hope is that my training will lead me to a world of new possibilities...opportunity to work as an entepreneur, etc. I have never been a follower, always a leader. (it's difficult for me to be an RN and let someone else decide what's best.)

My goal was to become an NP with a dermatology specialty, and to be able to choose my hours, perhaps work in my own small clinic, or contract to other medical professionals. Here are my questions: Is what lies at the other end worth jumping through all these hoops? Will I do all this just to slave under some Dermatology MD working 60 hours a week?

Is it really a different world of opportunity once you cross over to the other side, and become on NP?

Bless, and thank you for your opinions and experiences.

:Melody: Hello and Welcome to Allnurses.com:Melody:

I see you are considering dropping out of the NP program? Why? You must devote much time and effort in any NP program.

I know you are frustrated with the patho course, but, this will pass.

As for being able to have a lucrative career as an NP. The simple answer is, YES!!

You have chosen a highly specialized field. What track have you chosen for your concentration? FNP?

As for being a leader, you are about to enter into a whole world created just for your type of personality. You can make your own way, individually or in combination with other NPs or physicians.

Please hang in there. I think you will be most satisfied in the long run.

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Hello NP's:

I'm in my first semester of an NP program. I am taking an advanced pathophysiology course now, and I think the instructor believes we are training to be biochemists. I'm resentful to be memorizing the Krebs cycle and learning nothing about pathology. Overall, I'm discouraged by the prospect of sweat, time, and money I'm putting into this program versus what will ultimately be derived from it. My hope is that my training will lead me to a world of new possibilities...opportunity to work as an entepreneur, etc. I have never been a follower, always a leader. (it's difficult for me to be an RN and let someone else decide what's best.)

My goal was to become an NP with a dermatology specialty, and to be able to choose my hours, perhaps work in my own small clinic, or contract to other medical professionals. Here are my questions: Is what lies at the other end worth jumping through all these hoops? Will I do all this just to slave under some Dermatology MD working 60 hours a week?

Is it really a different world of opportunity once you cross over to the other side, and become on NP?

Bless, and thank you for your opinions and experiences.

You sound much like me, as I had to be a RN and hated every minute of it. But, I too was fed up with the BS and actually quit NP school after the first semester. I ended up back in it a year later though as one thing still rang true. It was going to take 8 years to start practicing and making real money to go the MD route compared to the 2 NP school takes. And, the malpractice is rediculous for MDs. I had a unique situation where I knew I would start right off at way above average $$$. If I made much less than I do now, I'd do something else (go to MD school or something else altogether).

If you want to call your own shots and practice in a specialty by yourself, you're likely going to have to go the MD/DO route. In primary care, however, you could have your own practice in the right state as a NP.

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Hang in there ! Our struggles..are not unlike LVN's who transition to RN and wonder why they need to know about theory , holistic patient treatment and patho about infectious processes when they *think* all they need to know is how to put the catheter in ! Know what I mean ?

The Krebs cycle was a PAIN ITA...but essential to learning how the fundamentals behind acidosis and treatment; fluid replacement,etc.etc.etc.

It is all about learning the bigger picture.

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What is above average pay for NPs? It seems in OK they make about $50K, is that pretty average pay for NP? Seems like you could make that working overtime as an RN.

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The problem is, I do not want to be just an RN. If going through NP school will not be worth it, I'd rather choose another occupation. The thought of working overtime, following orders, and "shifts" for the rest of my life is so unappealing I could barf. Money is not as important to me as is independence, the quality of my day, each day, and the ability to feel that as a healthcare provider, I am the one deciding how to help make someone's life better.

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Hi Brownrice!

This quest for an independence was exactly the thing that led me into the med school. But taking a closer look at what's in store for me after jumping through all these hoops, and spending so much money :uhoh3: :coollook: :made me realize one thing. Basically no academic degree in the World can guarantee us being successful. No matter which path we take, including the MD/DO route. we will be taking orders from others. Doctors,with rare exceptions, are not calling the shots anymore. Administrators, insurance companies, lawyers, goverment know-nothings etc.Comming out fresh out of med school/residency with an average debt of $200,000 :rotfl: very few ppl can just start in solo, or semi-independent practice. For the most part they don't care if they have to take orders,"just pay me enough" to cover the bills. So wether you want to stick with the NP thing is entirely up to you. But if you want to use your nursing background, look at what independent nursing businesses/consulting services are doing. There are now some support services for business-minded nurses. Think about what you like to do, and see if it could be presented to the public as a business.

Good Luck and much success :D

The problem is, I do not want to be just an RN. If going through NP school will not be worth it, I'd rather choose another occupation. The thought of working overtime, following orders, and "shifts" for the rest of my life is so unappealing I could barf. Money is not as important to me as is independence, the quality of my day, each day, and the ability to feel that as a healthcare provider, I am the one deciding how to help make someone's life better.
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The problem is, I do not want to be just an RN. If going through NP school will not be worth it, I'd rather choose another occupation. The thought of working overtime, following orders, and "shifts" for the rest of my life is so unappealing I could barf. Money is not as important to me as is independence, the quality of my day, each day, and the ability to feel that as a healthcare provider, I am the one deciding how to help make someone's life better.

Just a thought--maybe you should consider public health. I'm a PHN and: 1. I don't work OT unless I volunteer to; 2. I don't follow "orders"; 3. I am extremely independent. Granted, I'm not saving lives working in shock/trauma or even an ICU--but in the grand scheme prevention is equally as important as acute treatment. If money is not as important as independence for ya, then working as a PHN just might be a good fit! ;)

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Thanks to all for your support and advice. I am listening! Jayla, are you an NP in public health, and what exactly do you do?

brownrice

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Thanks to all for your support and advice. I am listening! Jayla, are you an NP in public health, and what exactly do you do?

brownrice

I'm an RN and here's a list of some of my responsibilities:

Healthy Start (educating pregnant women about healthy pregnancies/newborn care and assessing newborns); STD/HIV counseling and education; I work well child clinics and immunization clinics; BP checks and education; dispense meds to prevent TB in those who've been exposed but don't have active TB; some work with lower risk infants/toddlers with developmental problems or other health risks (ie prematurity)--we have a high risk nursing program that works specifically with infants and toddlers with severe problems.

It's a great experience and I do plan to go back for my master's (FNP) in the near future. I'm in the home a lot so really get a sense of my patient's lives. The county health dept where I work has a "generalized" nursing program, which means I get a chance to do a little of everything rather that the same thing every day, and I really enjoy that. Not all health depts have this option.

There are many RN and NP opportunities in public health. Advantages: no evenings, weekends or holidays. Disadvantages: pay seems to be less and the bureaucracy can be a PITA.

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Brownrice,

Here's a thougth to keep in mind. Do you remember when you started Nursing school? Did you think in your first clinical rotation that being a nurse only meant giving a bed bath and making beds? You do have to start with the basics, just be glad it's something interesting like the Kreb's cycle and not how to make hospital corners!!

Hang in there, believe me it will get much better, you will be learning such great volumes of 'practical' stuff it will make your head spin!

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I just want to add that being a nurse does NOT mean that you are "a follower" and not "a leader". Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. I know that nurses feel this way but so many people couldn't do the job we do, NP or RN. Don't ever forget that nursing one of the most respected professions in the US.

That said, give NP school the whole semester. You have so many options as a FNP. There are a lot of hurdles to jump but it will be worth it in the end. I know, I just crossed the finish line and you will make it. Patho is a difficult subject and no, you will not use everything you learn in that class but you are challenging yourself. Patho was the "weed out" class in my program and probably many others too. Stick it out, you can do it!!

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