PRN throughout FNP program

[8babynurse8]

I am looking for advice from anyone willing to give me their input. I have been a nurse for almost 3 years and have a background in telemetry and critical care. As of now I am working on a critical care unit during the night shift and also work as a clinical instructor once a week at the school I obtained by associate's degree from (I completed my BSN last december). However, about a month ago I was accepted to an FNP program which I will enroll in part time this fall.

Last week the director of this program highly suggested that students accepted to the program attend full-time (and not work) or work part time and go to school part time. While I enjoy critical care it is very stressful and I am starting to feel burned out. I am considering going prn at my job this fall if that is a possibility and keeping this clinical instructor job because it is great pay, enjoyable, and not stressful like working on my unit is. Have any of you dropped to prn status while in the FNP program and do you feel that this was a good decision for you? Also, the dean and a few of the professors from the school where I am an instructor are willing to help me find preceptors for my clinicals and would like me to stay.

On the other hand, I mentioned that I am a bit burned out with critical care- the night shift and pt load. Recently I applied for a position in urgent care and am being considered for it. This is great in a sense that I think this environment is more applicable to the FNP program but it is a 5 days a week position. Any advice would be appreciated? Basically, I am trying to figure out the best thing to do because fall will be here before I know it.

[Julia77]

IMO, if you can afford to, go PRN while in school. Or could you job share? Sometimes the last minute call ins shifts can be stressful, too. Julia

[8babynurse8]

I am also working once a week as a clinical instructor. At my hospital when you go prn, your pay remains the same. Because of this and the fact that the unit is always begging for nurses, most nurses who are prn don't have trouble picking up hours on the unit or throughout the hospital. It is risky but I'm trying to slowly remove myself away from bedside care.

[carachel2]

Gosh, if you can afford it to go PRN why not? I worked PRN in the ER for a year or so in FNP school and it worked out well. I did like one shift a week.

Honestly there is a point at which it was more important to me to put my studies first and my family first and I had no shame in taking out a few loans (

[lgag30]

100% if you can go PRN/per diem, do it. I was feeling the same way and believe me, school and the stress that comes with that will only make you hate work even more. I currently work per diem on a telemetry floor (about 5-6 times a month) and part time (18 hours a week) with private duty home care. Best decision I made for school. If you are intetested, look into private duty home care agencies. You are only with one patient all day and often have time to study or read for school. The pay is much less where I live but it evens out with my per diem rate and I get paid to do school work!

I am in school part time - 2 classes / 6 credits a semester so far. Online. But having some more time and not being as stressed out has made all the difference. School is stressful and a lot of work. Lessen the stress in other parts of your life if you can.

When I start clinical next spring I plan on just doing per diem hospital. I have a friend who worked full time throughout school and had little life of her own. Its tough.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.