Looking back, would you obtain NP credential??

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For the NPs out there, looking back, would you do it all over again? Ie. Go to NP school, study hard, etc...The realization that there will have to be sacrifices, etc, going back to school with a family is there. I would like to hear from others with families that were able to successfully go back to school, get their NP and are now praciticing? Would you change anything? If so, what?

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I would have chosen MD or PA school instead of my current route.

I am saddened each day as I look at the direction of the NP profession: online for profit programs where students set up their own clinical rotations, DNP degrees that are nothing but extra fluff, Licensing exams that a high schooler could pass after a 3 day Fitzgerald course...

I think NPs can be amazing, and many are, but the profession is ruining its image, and I cringe every time I see the "YOU can become a DNP in just 10 MONTHS - ALL ONLINE!" advertisements and banners. It's turning this profession into a joke.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Ive been an APN for 8 years now and yes, I would do it again. It has afforded me the opportunity to earn more and make things comfortable for our family. My sons were adults when I went back to school so that was not an issue for me.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Absolutely I would do it again.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Licensing exams that a high schooler could pass after a 3 day Fitzgerald course...

Which credentialing body board exam did you take?

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

By the time I finished my NP program i had 8 years of RN experience. I have only been a NP for 4 months and I know it's early in my career, but I'm loving it so far. I know it was the right choice for me. The only thing i would have changed was starting a NP program earlier in my nursing career, such as after a year of working as a RN.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I've been practicing for 5 years and have never regretted my decision. There were sacrifices, but it was worth it in the long run.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.
Which credentialing body board exam did you take?

Poster is not an NP yet, so I'd take this solely as opinion, not fact.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Which credentialing body board exam did you take?

Last time I checked future had not even been accepted into a program....

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Last time I checked future had not even been accepted into a program....

Incorrect. I will be attending Columbia University this Fall.

But truly I am not an NP, so take my opinion however you wish. I still respect NPs a great deal, it is only because I care about the profession and wish to ensure it's success that I try to get others to see the issues we're facing and take action.

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Specializes in School, FNP.

I went back for my FNP at 39 with a military husband and two kids (and two dogs). It was a struggle to balance everything and I taught my kids to try and get my attention by telling me "I really need you to focus on me now". I was very focused on school and was able to get through it well, but it occupied most of my time and when I wasn't actively doing something for school then I was thinking about something I had to do for school. I have been out almost a year and I can say without a doubt that I would do it again. I love what I do. It is not a flexible career - no way are you taking a long lunch when you have patients waiting for you, but I am loving my patients. See if you can shadow an NP for a day to see if it is something you would enjoy. It is a struggle, but one that I think is well worth it. Good luck!

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Specializes in Urology NP.
I would have chosen MD or PA school instead of my current route.

I am saddened each day as I look at the direction of the NP profession: online for profit programs where students set up their own clinical rotations, DNP degrees that are nothing but extra fluff, Licensing exams that a high schooler could pass after a 3 day Fitzgerald course...

I think NPs can be amazing, and many are, but the profession is ruining its image, and I cringe every time I see the "YOU can become a DNP in just 10 MONTHS - ALL ONLINE!" advertisements and banners. It's turning this profession into a joke.

Your posts make you seem very, very, very young so i think you have plenty of time to go for PA or MD. This and many of your other comments make me wonder why on earth you are pursuing your NP.

If you take into consideration the amount of time you have utilized to comment about the horrific state of NP education and their bleak future, i am thinking you could have had your pre-med courses completed by now.

In all seriousness, i am looking forward to you starting your program, starting clinical and walking in the shoes of an NP, actually taking one of the licensing exams that you so comfortably comment on, and finally practicing as an NP. Then your posts might be read with a little less eye rolling.

I can appreciate your passion for this subject and perhaps, once you have more experience, you can use it to help make the changes you so frequently comment on. Otherwise, I hope you dont regret your decision later on.

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