GregClark

The advice I was soliciting was not whether or not to pursue the NP but rather how. I thought perhaps there was someone out there that might have faced the same choices I am now, and could give me their opinion on the path they chose. I do not believe any job is beneath me, and if the only job available was cleaning bed pans, I would do it in order to provide what I could for my family. I keep reading "You have no healthcare experience". Isn't that what the direct entry MSN is designed for, people that don't have a degree in healthcare? Also, I wasn't saying NP are doctors, but I used the term "practice medicine" as a way of encompassing all that NP do. They diagnose, they prescribe medicine, and in some cases (example found on this message board, https://allnurses.com/advanced-practice-nursing/can-nps-perform-916977.html) perform minor, outpatient surgery. I have no desire to be a PA, as it is my goal to open my own office eventually, something (according to my research) PAs cannot do. If I've stepped on toes or ruffled feathers you have my apologies. But I'm not some 20 year old without real life experience. I'm a parent: I've caught vomit in my bare hands trying to save my couch, I've been **** on, peed on, and dealt calmly with medical emergencies involving my own kids.

From findlaw.com Since states are responsible for providing medical licenses, each state has a slightly different legal definition for the practice of medicine. In general, a person practices medicine when he or she tries to diagnose or cure an illness or injury, prescribes drugs, performs surgery, or claims he or she is a doctor. Sounds like practicing medicine to me.

Accelerated BSN as 2nd degree program, 13 months. Sorry, must have looked at out of state, in state for me would be $18k.

So you're saying that although I have a degree, experience, and other qualifications that could land me a decent paying job to support my family (although not in a career I'm really interested in) that I forget that and attend classes to take a job that pays little more than minimum wage in order to see if I like cleaning bed pans (something I'm pretty sure NP don't do.) No.

The student loan debt doesn't really scare me that much, honestly. That may sound naive, but I've known many professionals that took on major student loan debt to finance their education, and none that I've known would hesitate to do it again. As I mentioned in another reply, average pay around my area is $55/hr in a hospital setting, around $125k/year in a private office/walk-in. With the potential to earn that or more, even financing our living expenses for the duration of the program doesn't worry me overmuch.

I won't lie, one of the motivating factors is money. NP start around $55/hr in my area, often with some form of student loan repayment as well, and the industry is projected to have much better than average growth. Also, the length of time that I could work would likely be greater than in other areas. For example, I have 13 years in manufacturing, and it has taken a toll on my body. I think that as a NP I could work for more years with less wear and tear. Not only that, but if I ever tired of practicing medicine I could always teach. Another factor is that I think I would be good at it. I've always been good at math and science, and as an amateur bodybuilder for a few years, I know a bit more about the human body than the average person. I've taken several of the personality diagnostic tests (not the gimpy ones on facebook, but the ones professional career coaches use) and one of the careers that keeps coming up is medicine. While I have no doubt I could survive, and thrive, in medical school, I'm also a realist: I'm 39 and have a family to support. It would take at least two more years of undergrad classes, then med school, then residency, etc, etc to be a doctor. I can be a NP in ~4 years. Finally, my cousin has been a nurse for a few years, and after traveling for a couple of years is on a weekend shift in a step-down unit. He works 3 days a week and will make more than I would've in a factory working 6 days a week. I know not everyone lands those jobs, but as a NP in Arkansas I can go into private practice alone. The idea of being my own boss appeals to me greatly.

Suppose I did the LPN program. I know there are LPN-BSN programs out there. With already having a bachelor's would the LPN-BSN program be shorter for me? Another concern is financing. I'm confident I can work weekends while in the LPN program and we'll survive for the year. But financing the LPN program, then the bridge program would be potentially problematic. If I go direct entry MSN it's all grad school, for which financing is really available.

I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, but I couldn't find a direct answer with the search. I just graduated with a bachelor's in liberal arts (degree completion program) and find myself at a career crossroads. I'm strongly considering nursing but would like some advice on which career path. A little background: I'm 39, married, kids 10 & 12, spouse doesn't work (rheumatoid arthritis). 3.2gpa. There is a local tech program that offers a 1 year LPN program ($5000) that I think I have a good shot at being admitted to. I could take science classes while working then do ADN at local community college ($7000). I could take science prerequisites and try for accelerated BSN ($27000 in state). Finally I could take science prerequisites and try for accelerated MSN program for NP ($100k?). My end goal is independent practice NP, regardless of where I start. Any thoughts are welcome, and constructive advice appreciated. Greg