How long before you advanced your career?

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Hey there! A little background for you. I graduated last december ('15) and started working in an acute Neurology/cardiac unit at a highly rated and sought after stroke/spine center. My first few months were hell, I had the "i can't do this" feeling and hated coming to work. Six months later I feel comfortable with my work, but still feel like this isn't the right fit for me. So, I have started applications to the emergency department where I spent my senior practicum and LOVED every minute, i'm hoping that feeling will still remain the same when I get back down there. ;)

I eventually want to get my Masters.. With this being said I am only 22 years young, and feel like it would hinder me if I go back to school too soon.. It won't be any time in the very near future because I'm still unsure of what I want to pursue (NP, maybe as far as DNP, or a double masters in nursing and health administration). I figure later on I'll find my calling just as I have with nursing.

And more importantly what are your thoughts on when people should go back to school to pursue a higher degree? Any personal insights or thoughts I'm probably not thinking of?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Kudos for thinking ahead - planning where you want to go with your career.

NP curriculum focuses on providing direct clinical care. It does NOT align with the skill set needed for administration or other non-patient care roles (e.g., Quality & Safety, Education, Case Management, Informatics, etc.). It may take you a while to decide exactly which direction is the one you want.

Most schools only provide a few MSN tracks, so you can also take your time to investigate them and choose the one that is right for you. If you feel as though you're wasting time, there may be some commonly required pre-requisites you could complete such as graduate level statistics... but there is no real 'standardized' curriculum among programs.

Wishing you the absolute best on your career pathway.

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Get started as soon as you decide ...while you're young, have lots of energy and have few obligations.

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Kudos for thinking ahead - planning where you want to go with your career.

NP curriculum focuses on providing direct clinical care. It does NOT align with the skill set needed for administration or other non-patient care roles (e.g., Quality & Safety, Education, Case Management, Informatics, etc.). It may take you a while to decide exactly which direction is the one you want.

Most schools only provide a few MSN tracks, so you can also take your time to investigate them and choose the one that is right for you. If you feel as though you're wasting time, there may be some commonly required pre-requisites you could complete such as graduate level statistics... but there is no real 'standardized' curriculum among programs.

Wishing you the absolute best on your career pathway.

Thank you for your thoughtful answer! I know it'll take me awhile before I fully understand where I am supposed to go next, but for now I'm just enjoying the ride. (And hopefully if I get hired to the ER I'll be able to work alongside more NPs and can pick their brains.) :)

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I am a lot older than you, but a relatively new nurse (

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