Going back to school!

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Hi all!

I'm starting the FNP program in a couple of weeks and I must admit...I'm kind of nervous! I've been an RN for 3 years, but it feels like I've been out of school for a long time. I will be taking 3 classes this semester conveniently scheduled all in one day, but I also will continue to work part time. I think I'm a little bit afraid of the extra time/responsibility involved, but this is something I really want to do. I hope my family doesn't accidently get neglected during this process....I have a 1 year old whom I adore. But everyone is very supportive of my decision.

Any advice from those who've been there, done that?

Thanks! :wink2:

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No advice, but I'm in the same boat as you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Good luck to both of you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

First of all - ugh, GoLytely...just ugh...;)

I started this week! Good luck to you! I've been out for four years, and it feels like it's been forever! It probably helps that I'm at the same school I was for my BSN, and the environment seems to be helping me remember what I'm supposed to be doing...:rolleyes:

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I did my NP program working part time with 2 children, ages 5 & 1. I started with only 2 classes/semester. After my first year, I became pregnant and decreased to 1 class/semester. I had great family support and I my job at the time was very flexible-although I admit I was only registry but did work 16 hrs/week.

If things become too hectic and/or you think your time with your family is being affected, look into decreasing your classes--it may add some more time at the end to complete, but you have an entire career still ahead of you.

Good luck.

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Similar situation here although I have been out of school for 10 + years. My advice is this...

-get as much done during the day while they are at school or in daycare as you can.

-be prepared financially to reduce your work to PRN once you start your clinical courses

-double up on classes that are not clinical courses so you can slow down as needed when you reach clinical courses

-what works one semester will possibly not work the next semester. Be flexible and learn.

-get organized before you start. Buy a separate filing system/cabinet and organize according to units studied i.e. "Pharm: ACE's and BB's" so you can pull them out for quick review as needed

-don't feel like a failure if you can't do things the way you did when you were in a BSN program. Know that it is ok to drop a class if you need to in order to maintain sanity in your family. Better to drop a class and pick it up later than to drop the ball on your family and find you can't make it up.

-apply for scholarships ! You never know what you might get!

-completion projects are great to work on during the summer when you don't want to commit to a class and want to be home with your kids during the summer

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

You can do it! :) I don't have children....but when I went to school for my ACNP (just graduated this June), I was a full time student (all 3-4 classes were on one day, plus clinicals) and was working part time. Eventually I cut back to per diem, and mostly worked on weekends, once I started my clinical rotations. The work is a lot, but it is manageable. Best wishes to you. It is definitely worth it.

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