Opinion on what to do next

[Ancher]

Hello,

I recently finished my ADN and I have several paths ahead of me. The issue, I'm having trouble weighing the pros and cons. Hopefully one of you with experience may chime in.

To begin, I plan on continuing my education. I would like to earn a BSN, then progress to an MSN in leadership followed by certification with FNP. Where I'm having a complication is where to work.

Currently, I work as a PDN. I get paid very little in comparison to what I would be earning at a hospital. But, I have a great deal of down time in which I can study while having the opportunity of overtime. My greatest fear is that I may become unmarketable in an acute setting after working so long in the PDN field.

On the other hand, Working 3 12's at a hospital, I will make a bit more money, maintain more of my nursing skills and possibly have a greater opportunity to obtain FNP clinical sites when that time comes. But I will not have as much study time.

To note

Education is online

I am the main source of income in a family of 4

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

[Dianna11]

Go ahead and work in acute care, 3x12. It is a lot easier than you think, and the pay obviously is a lot better (differentials and all). You will have 4 days left to study/complete assignments! Good luck! ( You will do just fine!)

[AJJKRN]

Either way if you stay with PDN or try for acute, (I work acute and it has its challenges, aka the grass is not always greener) look into WGU for the RN to BSN/MSN in leadership options. I wish I had known about this school right after I had completed my ASN. Would have saved me a ton of time and money! Good luck!