MSW to PMHNP?? AT A CROSSROAD AT AGE 41

[janjan23]

Hello,

I'm at a crossroad in my life. I'm 41, I will graduate in 1 year (May 2019) from a MSW program in school social work. I am considering going to nursing school. I am leaning towards a Direct entry MSN program where I will get a RN and a Masters in Nursing. I also have been accepted at a university to do the prerequisites but I have not been accepted directly into their nursing program yet, so there is the option of getting a BSN. I will still have to apply to their nursing program after I finish the prerequisites.

I would really like to be a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), however, It will take at least 6 years to finish the BSN or Direct entry MSN & DNP program here in Illinois. I've always wanted to be a nurse and I've always had the desire to help people with mental health issues. I know that the PMHNP pays a lot better than a school social worker but is the time that I invest into a PMHNP program worth losing 6 years of School Social Work pay at this age? I wonder if it is worth going for the PMHNP or should I just work in the schools as a social worker. I believe I can do either and be happy but I'm just not sure which route to take.

I am praying about it.

Thanks for your responses.

[Oldmahubbard]

All Psych NPs don't make a lot more than school social workers. It might be a good idea to check out the local job market for psych NPs.

I wouldn't recommend going to school full time for 6 years and not working, unless you have a significant other who is able to support you with no issue.

The ROI is tricky here. I feel there is an online Psych NP program on every corner and the market will be flooded. I could be wrong

[Jules A, MSN]

If at 41yo you have yet to establish your social work career and have invested the time to get your masters it would probably be best to continue that course at least for a couple of years. If you always wanted to be a nurse it would have made better sense to go to nursing school rather than social work school but regardless you will have a massive amount of money and time invested in school with no significant work experience if you go from masters to masters and are 47 years old without ever practiced in anything. Definitely not saying 41 is too old to consider starting a nursing career just that it would be expected to have some type of career and direction by that age, in my opinion.

The social workers at my jobs are the heavy lifters, the competent ones that is, and there are few patients who would markedly improve without their skill and expertise. If you really want to help people with mental illness you are set up to do that in a big way now.

[janjan23]

Ok. I will do that. Thank you!

[janjan23]

Thank you for your response! I do have some experience in the social services arena with my current job and internships. I do not have any student loan debt currently. Thank you.