Leaving Social Work to become a Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Students NP Students

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ok, I recently became a Social worker, LMSW...and I realized..I made a mistake, anso I've decided to do something about it...yet i'm experiencing a dilemma

I want to be a Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry but I currently owe 56,000 in debt from my loans. I just recently received a position working with an organization that monitors and provides scatter site housing for people who are homeless, psychiatric disabled and have Aids.

I have experience of 1 year and 8 months with individuals with psychiatric disabilities in outpatient clinic and 1 and 5 months Vocational experience with people with varied physical and psychiatric disabilities

My undergrad GPA is 3.2 and my grad program was credit no credit....so 3.0 gpa to graduate.

from my research I see that I would have to do a an accelerated program, a masters and possibly a DNP. I like making informed decisions, so based on the info above is this a smart decision??

Would I even be accepted as a previous social worker? I know I have to do prerequisites, math is not my strong point....how horribly will i suffer in this area? lol

it is now 2015....and they stated DNP is a recommendation and is endorsed for future NP...(and in New York their still offering masters programs, certification.......yet its not required???????? am I going to be forced to do this degree?? (can they make up their minds if every program will transition to this recommendation....could I stop after my masters.....and work a while before I get it??

For NP's do you like your job? do you owe alot from your programs, will I be able to pay it back?? (any forbearance programs) oh and I do I have to do a year of bedside nursing?????

So many questions, any answers...WILL BE SO GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!

Sorry that everyone who took the time to read your tale of woe and respond didn't met your needs, or tell you what it was you wanted to hear perhaps? Hopefully there are others who will continue to humor your questions knowing that you are likely to be not the least bit gracious.

this is not a tale of woe...but i see your maturity level is low....so ill digress...ive read these forums, it's filled with petty disagreements, and takes focus off of the actual conversation....like right now....I'm sorry you can't provide practical advice and not get offended when someone wants stay on topic......I just want maturity, and I stated appreciation for the advice given....but I don't need the.attitude and negativity that you and some are bringing...(so this rebuttal ends here) ..now back to the original topic....

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If anyone else would like to give actual advice on how to pursue a np degree with finnacial assistance, or tips on where to work...without telling me something I don't already know......like the basics of loan debt.....like previous commentors.....that would be greatly appreciated.....

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There are very few financial aid programs for degree duplication (2nd bachelors, 2nd masters). One poster had a good suggestion to seek employment at a facility that utilizes clinical social workers and offers tuition reimbursement (sometimes tuition discounts at affiliated schools) for employees in exchange for a work contract. Look at entry level masters programs to see if your previous credits meet the entry requirements.

There is the HRSA scholarship/loan repayment program for those that qualify that will help pay for BSN and APN (often primary care specialties) educational costs in exchange for relocating to a high need area (often rural). There are very specific income & debt requirements. They will not repay loans from other degrees. It's highly selective as there are limited slots and you must fulfill all requirements throughout the program.

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Thank you, for giving me concrete advice..

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What was your hospital, and great advice.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
What was your hospital, and great advice.

If you are referring to me, I neither work in a hospital nor am I a nurse practitioner. My sister is and she had paid relocation and a nice sign on bonus to move and work for a university affiliated hospital (they even paid to break her lease and bring her dog). They paid up front for her to pursue a MSN as a pediatric advanced practice nurse. However she was already a RN/BSN with pediatric and EMT experience when she was recruited for a pediatric emergency department. BUT this was quite some time ago, around 15 years ago when the area she relocated to had a real shortage of not only nurses but APN's qualified to serve as primary care providers.

I think today many of these options will be primarily available in under served rural areas, just like the primary scholarship/grant/nursing loan repayment programs, such as HRSA, are for serving in under served rural or urban areas or the Indian Health Service.

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Specializes in CVICU.
I think you make good points and I can appreciate that you are happy with the sacrifices you have made to become a psych-NP.

What I don't understand and perhaps it is a statement about our society in general thinking everything should be perfect and we are entitled to a live with minimal compromise but if someone really loves mental health and wants to work in the field and they have made a substantial investment of time and money in becoming a social worker why can't they find an area in their field that they enjoy? Social work like nursing is very flexible. One can work inpatient, outpatient, on a crisis team, in the emergency department. As much as I love prescribing there is no way I would be happy doing it if it cost me a significant amount of money.

Great real world advice.

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I don't enjoy social work....actually many of my collegaues don't enjoy it either.....alot of them have decompensated and/or well on their way....again, I appreciate the people who are giving me alternatives and making me aware of the risk that come with a career change....I know really well about loan debt....I see it every month when I pay....but Im just now learning about nurse practitioner work and possible avenues to pursue it.

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Specializes in ICU.

Not many hospitals give tuition reimbursement anymore. Going the CNA route and working up is going to be long. Will you have to work while in the program is another question? Also, many masters programs require 1 year of ICU experience. Not one year of bedside experience. Some, but not many new grads get hired into ICU right away. Nursing is kind of get your foot in the door and pay your dues. So, you are looking at a long and expensive road. Plus financial aid is going to be an issue. You will probably not see any for a second degree bachelors.

My suggestion is to research long and hard what it is exactly you want to do. Know if this is the route you want to take it's not an easy one. There are no short cuts, there are no easy ways. It's going to be expensive. And if you have to work, an ABSN is probably not the way to go.

I'm 39 and getting my ASN now. No previous degrees, not a second degree person here. I don't work but am a single mom. This second semester is taking up all my time. I could not imagine if I had to work full time. I wouldn't make it. I know some people do it and do it well. I could not. It sucks up so much time and organization it's crazy. Then trying to balance a child and a relationship. Fortunately, I have the most understanding boyfriend in the world who knows this is only another year. For a NP, your looking around 3 or 4 in schooling. Not to mention the years of working experience to get under your belt.

Have you tried looking at different jobs in your career area? Maybe the one you are with right now is not the right fit for you. You went the whole way for your master's and you still want to be in the psychology field, why don't you put some feelers out for some jobs you might like. Remember your career does not define you as a person. It's important to be happy in your job, but ultimately, it's not who you are. I think many people are confused with maybe a bad work environment with them hating their job and needing a career change. Or thinking a career change is going to fix everything when it's not. Just research all your options before making any decisions.

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I hope you are in your twenties because it will take at least ten years realistically. You have to be a cna first and work a year as one. Social work is irrelevant. Then get into a two year rn program then get a bsn and that's two years. Or you can go the rn to psych np route to shave a year off your bsn. Meanwhile you better be smart or know all your drugs and conditions ahead of time. That stuff comes with time and experience. You are not going to see anyone just automatically know the side effects of finasteride. You have to give pills everyday see them, see the side effect, contraindications, talk to doctors, talk to pharmacists and then once you feel as if you know a lot (at least 3 years of experience) then you are ready. Buy yourself a neuroscience book read it twice. Then look at the psychnp program and buy the course books ahead of time read them and understand them. Live eat breathe psychiatry and work at psych unit if you can and then you are ready. Lets do some math cna 2 or 3 years rn 2 years then 3 experience while bsn is happening so thats 7 years of school minimum before you can even be ready. Good luck.

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Truth, thank you.

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Hey... don't listen to the haters... if you feel like nursing is for you than you do what you got to do to make that dream come true don't give up....But also have you applied to the VA hospital I know they hire social workers all the time and they have tuition reimbursement...Or you could try scholarship...just don't give up I am trying to get in nursing school my self and I finally got accepted into a LPN program and than I will go straight RN because I already have a degree in general studies

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