Next Steps When You're Not Ready to Be Done with School

[SilverBells, BSN]

Tonight, I just realized that in two weeks, I will be done with my master's program.  Instead of being excited, I'm actually a little sad.  I've really enjoyed this program.  I also don't feel like I'm ready to be done with school quite yet. 

Anyone else every been in this situation? Granted, I've always been a bit of a "nerd," and have loved school even before I was old enough to go...

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

My first impulse is to congratulate you!! That's so exciting!

I used to love school too, but my MSN has finally ruined it for me. ? It's not even all that bad, necessarily, but my priorities have shifted from school to other things - which is okay!

If you like school and find another program you want to pursue someday, that's totally understandable; lifelong learning in some capacity is healthy and even enjoyable. You may want to take a break after you graduate, though! Sometimes slowing down to focus on other parts of your life is good too, and given your prior posts about work-life balance, it may be time to concentrate on improving that and determining what you want out of your professional life.

Maybe join a professional organization or something that will allow you to take classes, etc., without the commitment of more regular classes and grades and attendance just yet?

[amoLucia]

OP - it's called 'anticipatory grieving'. Occurs when you're about ready to experience a significant planned change in some lifestyle experience. Graduation, leaving an old job, moving to a new neighborhood, a friend/family moving away/deploying, etc - different things are all triggers.

There's some sadness at your impending loss - more common than thought.

Embrace the change.

[Davey Do]

20 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Anyone else ever been in this situation? 

No.

I was a symbolically brain dead crispy critter when I graduated with my ASN and didn't let the nursing school's screen door hit me in the behind as I exited.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

11 hours ago, Davey Do said:

No.

I was a symbolically brain dead crispy critter when I graduated with my ASN and didn't let the nursing school's screen door hit me in the behind as I exited.

Same. I started the ADN program with full intentions of continuing on to the way more expensive university to get my BSN when I was done. Found out when I was done...I was done! I had no interest in any more schooling and fortunately where I live a BSN while nice is necessary to find employment.

[klone, MSN, RN]

When I finished my MSN capstone and completed the program was one of the happiest days of my life.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

When I finally finished my DNP- I had been going to school for the better part of 5 years non-stop. (RN-to-BSN, followed by MSN and DNP in rapid succession) For weeks I had a lingering feeling that I was forgetting something (like when you go out and forget your phone). 

I keep getting emails about DNP-to-PhD programs- and clearly I need an intervention! ? 

[SilverBells, BSN]

Final presentation completed today! It's all down hill from here now...my degree is right around the corner...

[amoLucia]

1 hour ago, SilverBells said:

Final presentation completed today! It's all down hill from here now...my degree is right around the corner...

Not UP HILL?

[SilverBells, BSN]

21 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Not UP HILL?

Down hill...meaning easier ?

Uphill suggests there is a battle ahead...and there are no more battles ?

[amoLucia]

I was thinking POSITIVE like you, but I guess we just REVERSED the 'up' & down'.

Hey, we agreed! :))

[SilverBells, BSN]

Received a great compliment from my professors this afternoon.  They feel as if my project would be a great one for a doctoral program and one to carry out ?