FNP1655

I think it matters what your long-term goals are. I did the DNP-FNP route because I knew that I wouldn't be able to physically do bedside nursing forever and I never was interested in administration. Starting salary of $105,000 is actually pretty good. I'm in the Midwest and just started my first FNP position last year and I make $85,000 a year. Yes, that is a drastic pay cut, but you also have to take in to account the extras-- money for CEUs, incentive bonuses, as well as the work environment. I work in a LTC setting and I am free to set my own hours and my supervising physician is awesome and pretty much lets me take care of my patients as I see fit. I don't have administrators breathing down my neck and I don't have to punch a timeclock. My long-term plan is to eventually transition into education in which a doctoral degree will be beneficial. I think you need to decide what your long-term plan is-- it might be necessary to make financial sacrifices now to achieve your long-term goals. One caveat I will say, if you decide to not pursue a NP position at this time, you may find it more difficult in the future to secure a position because generally the market (depending on where you live) is oversaturated. Also, depending on which licensing exam you took, you may need to have a certain number of practice hours to renew your NP license. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best of luck!