Have debt but don't know if I want to be an NP?

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Hi,

I would appreciate some advice on this. 

I started a RN-NP Program with the goal of becoming an NP. I am taking a break now working as an RN having completed the first part of the program. 

I have experienced a lot of bullying in nursing school and working as a nurse. It is wearing me down. I know longer know if I want to be an NP because it seems there are some toxic issues in healthcare, plus the workload.

I do have 160,000 in debt with my undergrad and nursing school combined. Part of me wants to finish and do NP just so I can make more of an income and hopefully pay off my debt faster. And do what I always thought I wanted to do, before realizing how toxic healthcare can me. But part of me wants to go into another field, one that is more creative, and I won't likely encounter these issues as much. I have worked in other fields and did not experience any bulling, and have done research and found that it is more prevalent in healthcare.

 

Thanks.

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Specializes in school nurse.

Would you take on even more debt to complete the NP Program? If so, I don't think the salary differential is so much that you should get into more hock to make more money to...pay off your increased debt.

Ditto for career changes if you have to pay a lot for retraining.

If you've perceived bullying in both nursing school and as a working nurse, maybe it would be worth it for you to explore that with a counselor.

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Why exactly would a counselor help?  They can't change what's happening.

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Specializes in school nurse.
12 minutes ago, daisychains11 said:

Why exactly would a counselor help?  They can't change what's happening.

Because sometimes people can use coaching on interpersonal strategies to help deal with this issue. Especially if it's a chronic one.

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I mean, I do get advice on how to do deal with bullies. It's a chronic issue because there is something wrong with nurses. I hope you are not suggesting that there is a problem with my interpersonal skills. The attacks I have had reflect more on those people...

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What kind of bullying and attacks are we talking about?

There's no shame in taking a deep look into it all. Worrying about uncovering a personal problem is the wrong way to look at it. Rather, we all have weaknesses and sometimes recognizing our own weaknesses and learning how to get past them can be relatively lucrative in terms of finances and long-term emotional well-being.

I say all of this without making a single excuse for those who try to control, manipulate and bully others. They have their own very significant problems!

These concepts are really important because they may have a lot of bearing on whether it makes sense for you to attempt to finish your training and work as a nurse practitioner. It isn't about a bunch of strangers (us) criticizing or faulting you; it's really about the mental process you should go through privately in order to make the best decision for yourself. ??

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
18 hours ago, daisychains11 said:

 It's a chronic issue because there is something wrong with nurses.

You do know where you are, right? <looks around the room at all the nurses she just insulted>

Why would you come to us for advice if there is something wrong with all of us?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I would also suggest that if everywhere you go (school, workplace, etc) you're met with bullies, that perhaps reflecting on the common denominator might be beneficial.

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Specializes in ER.

You have to be tough to be in nursing. It's a rough profession with a lot of rough people. It's high pressure, and you definitely can't survive if you aren't a little scrappy.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Honestly, with that much debt I would just make my current career work whether I liked it or not. Need to be paying that down as soon as possible.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

That is a lot of debt. I would take a few years and work a ton of OT and pay it down. If you are having hesitation about NP, don’t go into any more debt. It can financially derail you for life.

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5 hours ago, klone said:

I would also suggest that if everywhere you go (school, workplace, etc) you're met with bullies, that perhaps reflecting on the common denominator might be beneficial.

I didn't say everywhere I go. I have had multiple jobs before starting nursing. It has started in nursing. Is every nursing professor or nurse I've ever met a bully? No, but I have come across several unlike in any other field. The common denominator is not me, the common denominator is that research verifies there is a lot of bullying in the healthcare field.

 

I hope you aren't blaming yourself for any bullying. You're not thinking straight.

6 hours ago, klone said:

You do know where you are, right? <looks around the room at all the nurses she just insulted>

Why would you come to us for advice if there is something wrong with all of us?

It came out wrong. I meant to write many nurses or something and then I didn't feel like editing it.

 

Gosh, you're a nurse, stop being so sensitive! (Joking, poking fun at nurse bullying)

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