Leaving Social Work to become a Nurse Practitioner

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elkpark

14,633 Posts

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.

The OP is talking about becoming a psychiatric NP. There is no psych NP program that requires any ICU experience. The only graduate programs in nursing that require ICU experience are CRNA programs.

elkpark

14,633 Posts

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.

The OP is talking about doing an accelerated BSN program, which would be 12 - 18 months, depending on the program, and could then go directly into a psych NP program, which would be ~2 yrs. No "at least ten years." No one has to be a CNA before becoming an RN. And no one has to complete an ADN and then a BSN.

OP, another option you might want to consider (if you haven't already) is the "direct entry" MSN programs. These are basically a combined ABSN and MSN program; they typically take ~3 yrs -- you go in with no nursing background or experience whatsoever, and come out the other end with an MSN and prepared to take the certification exam in the program's specialty. There are plenty of psych NP direct entry programs "out there."

Thank you...I read the last commentor and was lIke whaaaa??..my friend has no nursing expereince as is a second degree student at molloy college (she wanted to do social work...and I told her helllll nooo) I live in New York and I looked up that path...her school is very expensive....yet they allow you do perquisites at their program bsn combined with msn....but it's the finnacial barrier...so I'm trying to plan this out.....I looked up VA hopsitals their not hiring for social workers at this moment....so I'm looking school social work so I pay for school up until I do my clinicals....which when I quit work....I just need assistance in carving out a plan to pay for prequsites and get into a accelerated program

anie10

294 Posts

Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.

I agree with the commenter that suggests you work at a hospital and get them to fund your education.

I also think the commenter that suggested you get into any nursing program and springboard from there.

I realize this situation is frustrating, however it is not in vain. My story is sprinkled with these kinds of revelations and eventually, some unexpected day, things align neatly and I realized why I took this journey. I don't let that stop me. The worst anyone can say is no, and then you still move forward.

Don't let debt for something, which ultimately is worth more than the expense - stop you. There are things that you pay till you die. Things you do until you leave this earth (brush your teeth, pay taxes & utilities) period. Education is worth it, especially in a profession that you can work, in some capacity till you die.

You'll make the right decision, but in the meantime you cannot spend time agonizing over it. You have to make a plan and go for it. Keep talking to people, keep searching for ways to make it happen. Anddddd know - what's meant for you, is meant for you, and will be all yours.

Have a good one.

anie10

294 Posts

Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.

If the OP got into an ADN/ASN, the HRSA has a scholarship program for that as well. Loans & Scholarships

I am in an ADN program, but are applying with my qualifying, concurrent BSN program. :)So, the OP could get the monies as option to cover tuition.

PG2018

1,413 Posts

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Given your position, I would find the fastest, cheapest (in that order) program that you can find, enroll in it, and not look back. One of the great things about nursing is that you can do the school and still work full-time. I've worked full-time (and sometimes more than that) for the last five years, i.e. 2 years BSN/RN and 3 years of MSN/APRN (forthcoming in May 2015). And skip the DNP. MSN is sufficient for quality practice. The DNP will do NOTHING but add cost and time - two things you can't afford.

I think you'll have a great background. Find your school tomorrow, and don't look back.

Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.
Thank you...I read the last commentor and was lIke whaaaa??..my friend has no nursing expereince as is a second degree student at molloy college (she wanted to do social work...and I told her helllll nooo) I live in New York and I looked up that path...her school is very expensive....yet they allow you do perquisites at their program bsn combined with msn....but it's the finnacial barrier...so I'm trying to plan this out.....I looked up VA hopsitals their not hiring for social workers at this moment....so I'm looking school social work so I pay for school up until I do my clinicals....which when I quit work....I just need assistance in carving out a plan to pay for prequsites and get into a accelerated program

I don't know your financial situation but you need to consider that a majority of accelerated programs expect a full-time commitment and don't allow students to work...others will allow up to 20 hrs of work a week with the caveat that if you fail "it's on you" for working.

I did an accelerated program and it's very intensive and requires a huge time commitment...not just from you but your whole support network (spouse, children, family, friends, etc.)

Specializes in Critical Care.

I think it is foolhardy to take on more debt, but if you are determined to do it, your best bet would be a direct entry MSN-NP program. Where you do the first year and become an RN and then finish up and become an NP. Some colleges only offer FNP, others you need to specialize in your case a psych NP. Some even have direct entry MSN just to be an RN and frankly that is too much money to just be an RN. I wouldn't advise it! Not many colleges offer direct entry MSN/RN/NP and those that do tend to be expensive private colleges that will cost you a fortune.

There are limits on federal student aid so you would probably have to take out private student loans that do not have even the basic options like income based repayment and interest rates can go as high as they want. I've heard of even 18% potentially. Imagine that interest rate for six figure debt! How would you ever pay it off! Private student loan rates are based on your credit score and may require a cosigner who will be on the hook if you can't make the payments or if you were to die unexpectedly! How is your credit? Do you know your credit score? Would anyone cosign for you? I wouldn't want to place that burden on my family! If you need a cosigner than at least get a life insurance policy for the cosigner so they would be protected! Also if you default on your student loans they may double or triple due to high fees and capitalized interest. Some states take away your license to practice. Some healthcare loans will take away your ability to treat medicare patients if you are in default! At least you would face wage garnishment and your tax returns and your social security garnished! This is a serious subject and one needs to look at all the facts before just jumping off and going back to school for another career blindly!

I don't understand why everyone thinks just returning back to school is the answer when they are unhappy and why no one talks about the costs and the reality of exchanging one trap for another. Even if you become an NP, you may spend the rest of your life paying off the loans and being unable to buy a house or enjoy life or take vacations.

I think it would be doing a disservice not to bring up these realities and instead just telling you to go to school no matter what the cost so you can follow your dream. I've warned others before because money matters and student loans are truly the worst debt out there in my opinion! There are no real bankruptcy options if things go south neither for federal, nor for private loans since 2006 when Congress took away that option!

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
So the overriding theme...is....stay in horrible career to avoid loan debt....or pursue career and be in debt for the rest of my life....like I already am. Hmmmm....@ carachel 2 and the commentor above are the only ones who gave me solid advice...and the other @hiking ninja thanks for the encouragement....(please spare me with the petty disagreements, I'm depressed and need practical advice....not debates...on educational investments...I made a mistake....I get it....never listen to school preoocupied parents kids.)...I digress...

Questions...to be a cna.....don't you have to be certified??....and the psych er advice.....I have applied to several hospitals it seems to be hard to get into the hospital realm...unless you know someone. I'm really depressed and don't know what to do. Social work is not as flexible as every claim and.....the financially you'll be struggling unless you become a supervisor or director... work for city, state or feds....which the cap is at most 75,000. And yeah hard to get into as well....if this is a bad idea, the nurse practitioner field....is a ms in health care mangement....a bad idea too?....I'm making 50,000 right now...I can save up and pay for it.....

In order to become a nurse practitioner, you're going to have to become a nurse. You can do that with an MSN as direct entry, but it that isn't the least expensive way to do it. And then you still need to pass the boards and become licensed as a nurse. I'm not sure how you've decided that advanced practice is your dream job without any nursing experience.

Yes, CNA means "Certified Nursing Assistant." (At least, it does in this state.) There are programs at the community college level, and that's probably the least expensive way (in time AND money) to gain exposure to nursing to see if that's really want you want to do.

Here's the thing, though: you cannot go to school just to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. You're going to have to learn and pass exams about cardiology and pulmonary and GI . . . and so forth. And you may be exposed to nights, weekends and holidays. If this isn't the way you want to go, health management may be a better field. Either way, I'd advise doing some actual research (other than asking questions of strangers on the internet) into your options.

As for the nasty comments about sparing you the petty disagreements -- you did post on a public forum. Do you not understand what that's all about?

Specializes in Psych.

To tell you the truth I'm not sure if the federal loan limits have changed in regards to BSN second degree programs. When I went back to get my accelerated BSN in 2007 I had to quit my job and devote myself full-time to my 12 month program. When it was complete I was about $80k in federal student loan debt, a combination of grad and undergrad. It was completely worth it. I just about doubled my yearly income overnight. What people who have never worked in social services don't realise is how low the pay is, how many hours you end up working, and how few jobs there really are. I was lucky and found jobs with decent supervisors. I had quite a few friends who made barely above minimum wage, were salared, and worked 60 or more hours a week just to keep their jobs by keeping up with their caseload. After paying on my loans for about 5 years my student loan debt was about $50k. Was it a hardship to make those payments. Heck No! Because of the fact that my income doubled. I had more money, four days off a week and even started travel nursing after awhile. I,'ve stayed bedside for awhile because I love to travel, the money is awesome, and I even had one of my hospitals where I was permanent staff for a while pay for part of my MSN ED. I'm finally getting around to going back to getting my PMHNP. Ill be about 80k in debt again but I'm not in the least concerned. Ill only need to make my current RN salary to live comfortably and make my federal student loan payments.

If I'd listened to all the naysayers I would probably be homeless now or miserable as a lot of the social services jobs in my area were eliminated or salary cuts were made after the financial debacle of 2008. I do have one piece of concrete advice. Please schedule an appt with a nursing school advisor and bring all of your transcripts. They can help you develop a game plan to complete your preq classes. Most of those science courses you will need to have to apply for an accelerated BSN are sequential and .ust have been completed in the last five years. I met with one, I wasn't even enrolled in the school and she gladly saw me. It was very valuable to have what I needed to complete mapped out.

People spend money on all sorts of things. Some buy $40k vehicles, some buy boats or house. Some people like me spend money on education. There will always be someone who disagrees with the way you spend your money or future earnings. Just remember it's yours to spend how you choose.

Ruby Vee, BSN

17 Articles; 14,030 Posts

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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....

Oh my! Talk about low maturity levels, pettiness and negativity! Again, you posted on a public forum. You get what you get.

sugarmagnolia3

82 Posts

What about becoming a nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner? What if you could get a job as a social worker with a hospital that offers tuition reimbursement, and start in an RN program, and have some of your tuition covered? Then you could work at paying off your debt without accruing too much more. Chances are, especially if you're willing to work overtime, you'll make FAR more than a social worker.

You didn't say this specifically, but just throwing it out there- I have a big issue with NP programs that transition other majors into an NP, because I feel like those students miss out on the whole part of being a nurse. Yes, they go to school, do clinicals, etc, but they miss out on actually working as a staff/ bedside nurse, where we pick up all of that critical knowledge, assessment and real-world experience.

er.

Welp....this is what i get for listening to my parents... now, i'm stuck in a career that I hate, paying off debt with money I don't have....should stayed a college drop out..until I figured out what I wanted to do, with my life.....so depressed.
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