EDAPRN1215

It does sound like you just need to take a break and reconsider later! The average starting salaries for NP's In my area is definitely 80-90 K depending on where you are in SC. The Southeastern area does not pay well and yes, in many areas there are far more NP's than jobs. However, there are many more rural areas or even just areas not close to major cities where there are many opportunities so there are many variables!!! You can definitely make a good salary as a travel RN and enjoy life with far less stress. All about timing and whether or not now is right for you!!! I wish you the best as you make your decision.

Wow, while I appreciate what I THINK you were trying to say, i think it was delivered very negatively. We don't know much about this student but do know that encouragement and perhaps a different route to the end goal is all that is needed. I have been a nurse for almost 30 years, the last 3 as an APRN . I remember how tough school was 30 years ago for many reasons most of which were NOT because I couldn't handle the academic rigors. Everyone has a story and just need help finding a different ending. Thank you!!

I should have been more clear in recent post with respect to programs not requiring experience. Yes, I am referring to the specialty NP areas and yes,there are programs that do require RN experience. Thank you for your comments. I welcome new grads and even though it was now almost 29 years ago, I remember what it felt like to be new. It is not the new grad I am worried about. It is the new NP who feels they already know it all and don't have a learning spirit. They have to be willing, open and approachable learners who can resist saying "I know". I can tell you these type of new NP's are hard to find. Thank you though for sharing your point of view!!

It was both interesting and revealing to read all the comments generated by this comment. As an acute/critical/trauma nurse of 25 years and now an ED APRN, I feel very strongly about this particular topic. However, it would be foolish and naive of me to think that my opinion will change anything. So, what I will say is that the NP profession is moving in the wrong direction. We have thousands of entry level nurses completing nursing school and then going on in their respective programs to finish a DNP with absolutely NO clinical experience. These same nurses are then moving into the workforce of the nurse practitioner to assume primary provider roles. We are asking for more autonomy and the ability to practice to our full scope of learned practice. Very, very frightening. I have worked with the experienced RN NP and the entry level RN NP. It is not the RN experience that solely sets apart these NP's as new providers. I believe it is many factors such as willingness to learn and be taught or "molded", recognizing limitations, knowing when to ask questions, really understanding the NP vs. the MD role, the type of NP program attended and critical thinking skills. These are just a few of the many factors. I am saddened and disheartened by the direction we are moving in as a profession but I am only one voice in a sea of many. I love what I do and consider it a privilege to take care of my patients. I