NP, PA, or just BSN for now? So unsure...

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I am considering going back to school, but I dont know for what. I have an ASN with a previous bachelors in a different field. I am interested in NP-not sure which specialty, I think I want to stay in acute care, but where is the demand? Hospital setting or community setting (FNP)? I can do a part time program in 4.5 years, which is also an hour or so away. If I do PA , I dont have to pick a specialty, but I wouldnt be able to work fulltime. I think I eventually want to teach at the post-secondary level. Since I am so unsure, I am thinking maybe I can just do BSN online for the next couple years and think about it. But where will that get me in 2 years? A whopping 50 cent raise? In those 2 years I couldve been 2 years closer to a 10 dollar an hour raise and closer to my career goals. I feel if I want to be a nurse educator, I should have way more experience under my belt to be any good to future nurses. I've always loved school and I was so excited about nursing school. Right now, none of this excites me and I dont know why. I kind of just want to live life and take a real vacation for once in my life. But if Ive learned anything by working in the ICU, ive learned that life is too short and never turns out how we plan or expect. I have a little boy who isnt even a year old yet and I dont know how I would get any school work done either. Any advice or words of encouragement would really help me right now, I am at a crossroads and dont know what path to take. Thanks.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

What is your motivation to make any change at all?

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I think it would be a good time to get school done with now before my son gets older when hes in school and needs my attention and help with his learning.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

I have teenagers...kids always need you...the reasons change, that's all. You can go to school and be a Mom/employee. Just balance your life and take your time so you don't miss those precious moments.

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Whatever you do education-wise in the future, you will need a BSN. BSN is also need to work in many magnet hospitals (or at least preferred), for certain positions, etc. So it seems that starting a part-time BSN program would advance you toward your goal and also give you an idea of how you can fit school in with being a mom and working part-time. Even if you don't decide to pursue a further degree, your BSN will prove to be valuable down the road. Most hospitals have an education benefit as well for pursuing a nursing degree, so there's that.

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Don't think of getting an online BSN at night over the next two years as nothing more than a .50 cent raise. As Tammy said, that BSN is a good starting point and could be a lot more useful than you are giving it credit for at this time.

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I went to a school's info session and I think I am going to do bsn online because I would need to do 15 credits of "bridge" courses and still not officially be in the msn program. 15 credits is halfway to a bsn anyways, but they dont award the bsn at the point where you would have been eligible for one. I just hate having a bachelors and needing another one, I feel like it's taking a step backwards. For hospitals to want bachelors, they dont make it worth anyone's while to earn one, especially when you already have a job with them.

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Look into tuition reimbursement from your hospital because a free BSN would feel way better than a BSN that costs 20k.

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