I'm having a quarter life crisis. BSN graduate with no idea what to do.

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I'm 23 years old and graduating in May. I will have a 3.46 overall cumulative GPA, brought down from a 3.75 when I entered. I have a 3.1 nursing school GPA. I missed two A's in nursing school by 2 points (this keeps me up at night). I am graduating with no debt, so luckily money is no problem.

Where am I going with this? I want to be a nurse practitioner. I'm scared I don't have know it takes as far as GPA. I could have done a lot better in school, but some awful personal issues got in the way (family issues, relationships, depression, self-doubt). I don't know what path to take.

I don't know whether I should pursue an MSN-Ed and get a post-Master's NP certificate, or go through an online NP program while working.

I need some clarity. Maybe I'm worrying too much? Maybe I need to relax? Any advice would help. This is keeping me up at night.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Relax!!! You have plenty of time to think about NP. My advice: get some solid experience as an RN. So many new grads are rushing to NP without even knowing what they really like, or don't, in a nursing career. I have seen a growing number of NPs who seem unhappy as NPs and just want to go back to the bedside, or who want to leave nursing altogether. Take your time, enjoy the journey, get some experience. :)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Agree wholeheartedly. Be a nurse first. Embrace it. Learn all you can. Then ponder the next step.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

A third agreeing with the above. Breathe young Padwan. Get a nursing job. Work it and get to know what it means to be a nurse before you try to become an advanced practice nurse. You will get a better idea of what you want after a couple of years. Your GPA is fine. You will be able to go to school. Do your best to quiet your mind and enjoy this moment. You are about to GRADUATE from college. This moment right here is a big deal all by itself. Let it happen before you demand the next thing of yourself. Savor it. Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, not even 23-year-olds. Let yourself have this.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Congratulations on all that you've achieved in your short time on this earth!

What will matter more for your masters degree is what you do over the next two or three years. Previous posters have said learn all that you can. Get on committees, join organizations...maybe even volunteer for something outside your specialty? I am a pediatric nurse and I volunteer for an organization that provides free ambulatory care for adults. Why? To keep my brain sharp. To find the experience that fills the holes in my knowledge base.

If nobody's told you - you don't have to plan out your next 40 years. Something will happen in the next 5 years that will provide you with an aha! moment about your future. Stay present. Stay focused. Realize that your generation will change jobs something like 12 times and will change careers 3 or four times. Celebrate that you did well (and you're debt-free!)

In the words of the great English poet - life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
In the words of the great English poet - life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

That is so cool, ruby_jane!

I used that quote on a mural I painted in a shopping maul about fifteen years ago!

(It's the quote behind the ladder!)

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Specializes in NICU.

I agree with the above posters. In my opinion you can't be a competent NP without some real world nursing experience and figuring out your niche in the nursing world. There are so many specialities and areas to explore. Just work on getting that first job :)

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Had to google to find out the 'great poet'.

Seems to be generally attributed to John Lennon.

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Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I shadowed an NP at an ambulatory care clinic and really loved the work she did. She was an FNP. Shadowing her really opened my eyes to all of the liability APRNs and HCPs carry. However, you all are right. I don't want to rush into things. I have plenty of time to think. I would like to shadow other areas of NP before deciding if/what area I'd like to do.

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What scared me the most was my GPA. But from what you all are saying, you do not need a 4.0 to become an NP.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Had to google to find out the 'great poet'.

Seems to be generally attributed to John Lennon.

Yes - it was, and that's what I meant. I should clarify.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
What scared me the most was my GPA. But from what you all are saying, you do not need a 4.0 to become an NP.

In a super-competitive area, yes, your GPA will matter. You will be able to research and find places (maybe not name brand schools, but reputable schools) where you will be fine.

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