Pediatric Nurse Practitioner : never worked. .

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I am embarrassed to write this but I have an important question. Has anyone studied to be a nurse practitioner but never worked?

I recieved my Masters in pediatrics around 2009 and even passed my exams. However, I didnt feel this profession was for me at that time. I always wanted to travel, so I started to do that instead. I am a NICU nurse and still loved bedside,. Unfortunately I have seen it turning for the worse and being overworked and more stressful.

I returned to my home state after a few yrs and then decided to pursue that career. Unfortunately I couldn't find work due to lack of experience so I return ed to bedside. Now my certification has expired and I really want to give this career a try. I went to the ANCC website and it states that I would have to retake the exam and do other things.

My questions are:

Do I need to return to school? (I hope not)

Has anyone ever studied but didn't practice, and what did he/she do to get into the career?

Should I retake the exam?

Even if I pass the exam, will it be difficult to find work due to my degree was so long ago?

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

Call ANCC and your state board. Call. Don't email.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have had some recent questions that I asked of ANCC and got quick answers via email from ANCC (and I wanted written answers since they pertained to a very specific qualification).

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