Need some serious opinions

Nurses Career Support

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I am supposed to start a post master's FNP program next month. However, out of the blue a former colleague/doc approached me about a position. it sounds quite appealing (although i'm still waiting to hear back regarding salary). My years of experience in that field tell the story that I do know and love the field, however i'm really unsure about what direction to go in.

While being a NP seems very secure to me, both professionally and financially, it's never been a huge burning passion of mine to be a NP, mainly because I've always had fairly highly independent positions in nursing (all very non-traditional jobs). This role would also be fairly non-traditional and would be generally pretty secure for at least the next 5-7 years.

I am just really unsure either way and could use some suggestions about how to best make this decision.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Case Management, Clinic, Psychiatry.

What do you think about trying the new job for a year and if you don't like it (Or 6 mo if you hate it), go for your fnp? WOuld you regret not trying this job if you went straight to fnp program?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I've always thought it was a bad idea to invest in more education if you don't really want to do the type of work the education is preparing you for. Life is too short and money is too scarce to waste it on something you don't really want.

And why not give the new position a try? FNP school will always be there as a possibility next year ... or the next ... or the next ... if you find that NP is what you really want. Trying the new job now doesn't prevent you from going to school at any point in the future.

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Thank you both for your suggestions. The only major issue is that the NP program I'm in requires two very full days of clinical hours every week for 4 semesters, and the job would be a 5 day job without exception. Because we're only allowed to utilize ER/walk in clinics for a portion of the hours (ie:weekends), it would be unlikely that i'd be able to do both things together.

I have a meeting this week to learn more specifics about the position. While i'm still totally leaning toward the NP option I'm curious to find out more about this situation and see if it's something that I might be truly interested in. I likely have a decision to make, but once I know more about the specifics I'll have an easier time.

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