I need your input on a potentially life-altering decision...

[Scrubs911]

I'm trying to figure out the next step of my life. I will be applying to MSN programs for this fall or next spring but I'm yet to decide on what advanced practice concentration to focus on. So far I'm thinking ANP, ACNP or CRNA. I've got the grades and pre-reqs for any of these (God's been good to me with my grades and I am thankful not boastful), and I can see myself functioning in any of these roles. I'm still working on the work experience part of the applications though (I work in the ICU).

Here's where I have issues, I've gotten different opinions about these areas of nursing (on this site and talking to others), may of which are not realistic. For example, some folks seem to think all CRNAs are rich and are living the life, but many don't consider the liability, stress factor, on-call nights, weekends and holidays that go into that pay-check.

Here's what I want in my future: Some autonomy (I'm one of those nurses who sees nothing wrong with APNs collaborating with MDs), time to be with my family, a stable work schedule, not having to miss my babies' birthdays "cos mommy has to work," and time to have a real life-- travel, do community work, follow other non-nursing interests. The financial aspect though important is not my priority-- I do want a comfortable life for my family though.

Am I being unrealistic? Do any of these career paths provide at least 70% of what I want for the future?

Thank you for your input.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

This is all I have to say. Pick a specialty that will support you, but make sure that you will like it.

Money makes the world livable, but I also want to LOVE what I am doing.

[Scrubs911]

This is all I have to say. Pick a specialty that will support you, but make sure that you will like it.

Money makes the world livable, but I also want to LOVE what I am doing.

I can't really speak for those who choose their specialty for strictly financial reasons but what you said ^^ is what I'm working toward: finding a specialty that supports me and one that I will also enjoy. You could say that part of my criteria for deciding whether or not I enjoy my job is if the 'needs' I listed in my first post are met.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

My best friend is a CRNA. She makes OK money and works part time on a set schedule with no on call. My sister in law is an ARNP and she is well published and well respected in her area of neonatal nursing. She makes less money than I do and she works 24 hour shifts. I have another friend who is an RN who went back and became a PA and she makes half of what I make. So I guess it depends on where you work and what you want and what you are willing to put up with. They all put up with physicians that are jerks.

[llg, PhD, RN]

This is EXACTLY what I want to do but I don't know how to go about it. There is a MSN in Nsg Education program at the uni I got my BSN from but I DO NOT want to teach students or have a clinical group...ever....so this sounds like the wrong kind of thing. I am NICU and there are no NICU based CNS programs around here that I'm aware of and my unit doesn't even use them.

My clinical specialty was also NICU -- and it does pose a challenge. You might want to explore some online options and/or look for a program that is fairly general while you try to find a NICU educator position. What is the background of the people in your NICU who do the education? There must be someone coordinating the orientation program, etc.

You may also have to branch out a little and get some peds experience -- and/or be prepared to take a management job for a while or a peds or perinatal teaching job for a while. Full time NICU educator positions are very rare. In order to pursue that career, I had to move to different states several times in my career. The jobs were not always where and when I wanted them to be. So I would move to another hospital -- in another state as needed. That's a lifestyle that's not for everyone. You either have to be very mobile -- or be in the right place at the right time when one becomes available if you want to work ONLY in NICU and ONLY in a teaching role.

Eventually, I branched out and started working on hospital-wide projects. So, I am not as tied to a NICU as I used to be.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

hehe--I'm really asking why that particular number makes people salivate. I guess where I am going with this is, why is THAT the ultimate reason some would make to be one particular specialty over another. I for one LOVE that field. But the money is, well, just a good "side effect."

I just want to understand why that is such an important number.

It's not that much money when you consider that the 2 big dude at 2 big banks that would have gone bankrupt last year except that we bailed them out got bonuses of, I think, 9 and 17 MILLION. But it's a whole lot more than most bedside or even Management nurses make. My DON only makes about $80K. And she thinks she's stylin', so that might give you an idea or two.

Money, of course, is vitally important. We trade our lifeblood for it.

The OP will, of course, have to decide for herself which path to follow. She is wise to check out others' views and experience, of course, but she will, in the end, have to decide alone. I wish her the best.