Candimk2

I say go for it! I would never go to a school that would take 3.5 years, which is why I'm particularly happy that mine is only 2.5 years (part time), full time would only be 5 semesters (sigh). Don't base your decision on what your friends are doing, do what's right for you & your schedule.

Hey Cathering, As of this time that is not true. For some reason, there is a push for entry level to be the DNP, but our BON came to our school & said that's not even in the works as far as they're concerned. I think more schools are switching to the DNP but there are still plenty of schools offering the MSN. As an older student I don't plan on pursuing the DNP, but if I were younger I think I probably would. But as of now & probably any time in the near future, it's not required.

I can't speak to being a NP (although I start school in June) but as far as nursing it's a GREAT schedule. I LOVE working 3 days a week & having 4 days off. Also, since I work prn I 100% get to make my own schedule. Right now I work around my daughter's cheerleading games so that I can make sure to go to as many as possible & I love that. Of course if I were a NP I would also be able to make it to her games I suppose, since they're in the evening...Anyhoo, to me nursing is a great career to have when you need flexibility, which is one of the things I completely love about it. I do agree with the poster above though about getting your NP degree before you have children, but then again with online programs I suppose you could do that with children too. Ok, obviously I'm not helping much, lol. I guess the poster above said it right when they said it really just comes down to what you want to be, a nurse, or a nurse practitioner. Sorry I didn't really help much! lol

Definitely agree with Silver 5. As an "older" nurse, just graduated in May at age of 41 (now 42), I don't plan on getting my DNP, but only because I only plan on working 20 more years & don't feel the need to incur more expense for what is basically no return (at this time). But if I were younger I definitely would go for the DNP.

Congratulations!! I am waiting on my "final" acceptance from my alma mater for graduate school & I can't wait. When do you start?

I didn't think you could see pediatric patients if you're an Adult/Gero NP??

BlueDevil, DNP - Where exactly are you located? Just wondering for future reference.

Hey TCUgirl, there is a thread above where quite a few people answered about their salaries. Maybe someone on there that posted is what you're looking for.

Pilot2FNP this is the EXACT advice I give to people who say they're too old to go back to school! So silly! You're going to be that age anyway (God willing) so do you want to be that age as a nurse or as a NP?

That sounds crazy. To me it's like being a new RN. People are always saying "Get Med/Surg experience first & then you can go wherever you want". Wouldn't that kind of be like that? I would think being a hospitalist would open doors to more specialized fields just because of the vast amount of experience you would get & the different conditions you would see.

Hey Yorkie, I too applied for Spring 2015 back in August, and I just now received my approval from RODP, which of course means it's too late to go in the spring, so I have to apply for Summer of 2015. Of course, I'm just thankful I get to start at all! I was assigned to MTSU, which is where I received my BSN, I am very excited!

Hey jellojuggler, have you thought about looking at other jobs, instead of the typical M-F clinic? What about hospitalist? Or a NP in a nursing home? I believe those types of jobs are one week on, one week off. I would think as a NP there would be many other options than just working in a clinic M-F. I hate to hear that you are not liking your new role, but I think it may just be the environment that's not a good fit, not so much the now role you've taken on. Just a thought.

From what all of my NP friends have told me being a nurse and being a NP are two completely different worlds. They have also told me to go straight through, although I'm actually going to skip a semester before I apply. As far as providing for your family, it doesn't get much better than being a NP. There are SO many different types of jobs from hospitalist, to working in an office M-F, to working in a minute clinic just 3 twelve hour shifts, to...you get the picture. I say GO FOR IT! Don't stop now. You can do this. If you can survive nursing school, you can do this. Don't stop!

Rememer that a lot of hospials will pay for you to go back to school and also there's the NHSC (Natonal Health Service Corps) which will pay for ALL of your schooling, in return you just have to work in an underserved area for 2 years after graduation.

I don't think it's worth making yourself sick over. If you don't love it you won't stuck with it, BUT if you do, just remember there are so many different doors this degree can open for you. You've already said you don't want to work in a hospital, but there are so many other things you can do with this degree. So if you truly love nursing I say stick with it, but if you don't then I say stop making yourself miserable. Get out now & explore your options.