I have a great executive nursing job but want to be a FNP. Is it worth it?

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Hi all.

I have been posting a bit about the changes in the NP scope of practice coming up in CO. These changes have caused me to pause a bit if I should continue on with my studies as a FNP.

Presently, I have a nice executive job with a medical insurance company that pays really well. However, I worry about my future in the long term. I feel like I am pigeon holed in the company mind as the "nurse". Not a bad thing, but if I wanted to move up, that in their mind I might be limited to future management opportunities that only involve medical issues, etc. Plus, as the economy has taken it's turn I have felt a bit nervous with the stability of corporate America. I have seen a lot of my peers being laid off.

With that said....I thought that I would try and keep my current job and start training as a FNP. I have been doing it slowly, and anticipate that I can work full time and do most of my clinicals in the evening and on the weekend. I love it. I thought this would be a good career move and a natural movement upwards off my current MSN to obtain a profession I would love and have good career future.

Now with the changes in CO of requiring NPs to have 1 year with direct MD supervision and no direct prescriptive authorities and a second year you receive a provisional license, and then independence. I think overall it is fine and not a bad thing. But for a new graduate FNP in CO it limits my employment opportunities and probably an overall lower salary as a new NP would not have direct prescriptive authorities for a while.

I am rethinking my future career plans. Please help me. What did you find as a new graduate NP in the job market? With the new limitations ( I am not moving) do you think I would drop drastically in salary potential for a couple of years? I have student loans for my masters around $36,000 and I am paying half of my FNP costs, but anticipate having to borrow another $10,000 to finish my FNP. So a total debt of $46,000.

I am in my early 40's. I really want to be a FNP, but I have to think of my family's financial well being and my future. They are very supportive, but if I leave a lucurative job and put my family at a financial strain for a couple of years, is the profession worth it to you? I am not about a huge salary. Just a fair one that I can raise a family, and a profession that I can handle a debt load of $46,000 in my early 40s reasonably?

I appreciate your insight and advice.

Thank you. I really need to get your perspective as NPs.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm an adult health CNS (graduated 2006) and had to do some negotiating to get the salary that I wanted. Originally, I was offered less than I was making as an RN. Since I had debt also ($32k), I couldn't take something less. SO.....I did look awhile - took me three months to get my current job and by then I was getting desperate so I did take the first thing that came along that would give me the salary I wanted. However, as the economy has slid down the slope, I am so very fortunate to even have a job. This is not my dream job but am unsure my dream job exists - lol.

As to how to handle salary and perhaps hours that are different than what you have in corporate America - is your family okay with this? Is it possible to sock away a little more money to meet the gap that might exist your first few years in practice?

Since moving isn't an option, what about joining your state's APN organization to find out how other new grads are handling this new ruling? Maybe some have found a solution you haven't considered.

Best wishes - let us know how it goes.

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If you dont mind me asking, what does a typical nurse executive make these days?

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