I am currently in a BSN-DNP program and I am having regrets about my degree choice. I am currently working as RN in an ICU attached to my university. I am in a blessed situation to have all or nearly all of my DNP program paid for by my employer.
However, I am starting to have doubts about this degree. I am in the part-time acute care DNP track. I originally chose to go through with my DNP because I aspire to be involved in academia one day. But what I have realized is that for now I really enjoy the bedside. I enjoy taking care of sick patients and the challenge it presents.
So what is wrong with my DNP program? Many things, which I was not fully aware of entering into the program. For every clinical course I have, there are 2-3 fluff courses. Though I feel that these courses are valuable and have merit, I do not think I necessarily need them at this point. I dislike the notion of studying four more years to be a NP when I could achieve this goal much sooner with a MSN program. I think that all of these managerial/finance/political/research classes would benefit me much more when I was ready for a more administrative type position.
I have been seriously considering postponing studies at my program for a year and applying to some MSN programs with a more clinical focus. The obvious dilemma is that I may not be able to return to my program and I would not have my education paid for with a MSN as I would have to d/c work for a year to complete the program. I am really not sure how my advisor/faculty would respond to such a query.
So what do you all think? Should I pursue a MSN now (at my own expense) or continue in my DNP program (at my misery)?
