I am 27 years old with a master's of Social Work degree. I graduated in June 2016 and It has been soooooooo difficult for me finding a job! It seems as though all of social services jobs are either bad paying or going to individuals with a bachelor's or associates degree. I have 83k in loans total. I have no children and live with my mom for the time being (whomp whomp) I have been looking into getting my nurse practitioner degree through a direct entry program offered online. Vanderbilt and one school in Indiana offers one. If any of you are aware of any other programs online please let me know!
The reason why I want the career change is because I am a CNA currently (I did that because I needed something while I was obtaining my masters degree)! unfortunately in Iowa where I live there arent many jobs for MSW's. I have also taken a liking to providing health care to residents! Plus I would rather make more money out of school and continue to grow my finances over the year rather than continue to take mediocre jobs as a MSW and after 2 years become licensed and then hopefully in 4 years open my own practice. I want children and I want to continue to make a difference in people lives by providing both mental and physical health assessments and care.
My questions are what are some of the pros and cons of being a np? Is there anyone who was a second degree candidate to become a NP, if so what was it like? For anone who did a career change into NP were you satisfied? Are there any direct entry programs online other than the 2 I mentioned that I can look into? I'm sorry for the long post but any type of information or advice is welcomed!!!
I would like to give my opinion on your situation because just like you, I have a MSW and a recent grad as well. I have a good job with better pay than the average therapist and I am super excited to begin a Direct Entry FNP program next fall.
I live in a state that has ample needs for MSWs and I don't think the MSW is going to go away anytime soon, but the pay isn't there. A bachelors of social work can make more than the MSWs. When I was interning at a community health center as a mental health therapist, I was able to see what other professions do and I can say that I fell in love with the NPs because of what they can do and realistically what I am able to do in terms of going back to school. The pre-reqs are less than PAs, years of schooling are less than MDs, and the pay is double of what we make as MSW. If you love being a provider and would like much more responsibility in terms of how you can help make the patient better, I would suggest pursuing your goal. I liked the mental health aspect of being a mental health clinician but I started to keep wanting to do more for the patients for my own personal and professional satisfaction.
In regards to the debt, it is a lot of money but you have many options. Public loan forgiveness is one. National Health Service Corps is another. Another, apply for the PAYE program and pay only 10% of your disposable income until it is forgiven by working for a nonprofit or 20 years (I think). Also, loan only from the federal loan so that you be eligible for PAYE.
Some people may be uncomfortable with this large amount of debt that you have and will be having, but that does not mean you have to be uncomfortable. If this is what you want and love, go for it. In my program, I can work part-time as an RN for 3 years prior to finishing my NP program and you probably can do the same with most programs.
I would strongly advise not going to the online programs as you probably will not get the same experience as the brick and motor programs. You need as much help and networking as you can get being someone with no experience as a nurse.
I'll be happy to chat with you more if needed.
Hello,
I am 27 years old with a master's of Social Work degree. I graduated in June 2016 and It has been soooooooo difficult for me finding a job! It seems as though all of social services jobs are either bad paying or going to individuals with a bachelor's or associates degree. I have 83k in loans total. I have no children and live with my mom for the time being (whomp whomp) I have been looking into getting my nurse practitioner degree through a direct entry program offered online. Vanderbilt and one school in Indiana offers one. If any of you are aware of any other programs online please let me know!
The reason why I want the career change is because I am a CNA currently (I did that because I needed something while I was obtaining my masters degree)! unfortunately in Iowa where I live there arent many jobs for MSW's. I have also taken a liking to providing health care to residents! Plus I would rather make more money out of school and continue to grow my finances over the year rather than continue to take mediocre jobs as a MSW and after 2 years become licensed and then hopefully in 4 years open my own practice. I want children and I want to continue to make a difference in people lives by providing both mental and physical health assessments and care.
My questions are what are some of the pros and cons of being a np? Is there anyone who was a second degree candidate to become a NP, if so what was it like? For anone who did a career change into NP were you satisfied? Are there any direct entry programs online other than the 2 I mentioned that I can look into? I'm sorry for the long post but any type of information or advice is welcomed!!!
NPWant2be
51 Posts
Hey,
I would like to give my opinion on your situation because just like you, I have a MSW and a recent grad as well. I have a good job with better pay than the average therapist and I am super excited to begin a Direct Entry FNP program next fall.
I live in a state that has ample needs for MSWs and I don't think the MSW is going to go away anytime soon, but the pay isn't there. A bachelors of social work can make more than the MSWs. When I was interning at a community health center as a mental health therapist, I was able to see what other professions do and I can say that I fell in love with the NPs because of what they can do and realistically what I am able to do in terms of going back to school. The pre-reqs are less than PAs, years of schooling are less than MDs, and the pay is double of what we make as MSW. If you love being a provider and would like much more responsibility in terms of how you can help make the patient better, I would suggest pursuing your goal. I liked the mental health aspect of being a mental health clinician but I started to keep wanting to do more for the patients for my own personal and professional satisfaction.
In regards to the debt, it is a lot of money but you have many options. Public loan forgiveness is one. National Health Service Corps is another. Another, apply for the PAYE program and pay only 10% of your disposable income until it is forgiven by working for a nonprofit or 20 years (I think). Also, loan only from the federal loan so that you be eligible for PAYE.
Some people may be uncomfortable with this large amount of debt that you have and will be having, but that does not mean you have to be uncomfortable. If this is what you want and love, go for it. In my program, I can work part-time as an RN for 3 years prior to finishing my NP program and you probably can do the same with most programs.
I would strongly advise not going to the online programs as you probably will not get the same experience as the brick and motor programs. You need as much help and networking as you can get being someone with no experience as a nurse.
I'll be happy to chat with you more if needed.