ready to drop out of FNP program

[lannisz]

I'm so burned out, frustrated and ready to quit! I am in my second year of my FNP program and hate it! We have a new clinical advisor and the program is so disorganised....we were told our class schedule a WEEK before the term started and most of us are working as well. Needless to say, I was already scheduled to work on the first day of labs/classes because we were not told ahead of time what days of the week classes would be held. Then this week I went to my labs feeling totally confused and unprepared. (Part of this may have been due to the fact that that lab day was my first day off after working five 12's in a row!) I felt like and probably looked like a total idiot. I have always been a good student before, but trying to juggle working full time, studying and attending classes seems impossible to me. Plus, the last week one instructor said "I hope you're not planning on making a lot of money in this business, cause you would make more doing travel nursing." She said to plan on bringing home $30/hr. I've worked in an urgent care clinic before and know I don't want to do that kind of work - the NP's cranked out 1 or 2 pt's every 15 minutes because they had to show high productivity. I am more interested in a rural setting where I can have an ongoing relationship with patients and feel I am making a difference. But now I wonder why I am going through all this stress, hassle and expense to make less than I currently make as an RN. I just want to cry. I need some encouragement!!! Please tell me this is worth it?

[Josh L.Ac.]

Just because it is the choice YOU made, doesn't make it make it the choice for everyone - if that's the assumption you are operating under (along with the assumption that we all want to be docs) then you are in for some real surprises in the future.

Really? Maybe it's because my eyes can barely focus on the screen right now, but I don't see where Papadoc is assuming all nurses want to be doctors.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Josh - you need to look at Papadoc's posting history. He is a med student in the Caribbean who is very pro-MD.

[Josh L.Ac.]

Josh - you need to look at Papadoc's posting history. He is a med student in the Caribbean who is very pro-MD.

I know he was/is a med student and acupuncturist. But just because he feels that you learn much more basic sciences in medical school, have much more clinical training (versus NP), and a better earning potential does not necessarily mean he thinks all nurses want to be doctors. That was my point...maybe? Not sure actually...

But following a parallel line of thought, if a person wanted more clinical training, basic sciences, or earning potential then they would probably go to medical school. That might be the implication that people have a problem with. Personally, I would like to have the 2 years of basic sciences and 3+ year residency [versus my current accelerated BSN + FNP program]...but not as much as I like spending time with my wife and son.

[/off topic]

To the OP: I also have had friends deal with disorganization in MD school [perish the thought]. I also had an instructor at Bastyr [my acupuncture alma mater] say that she had several patients that were MDs that utilized her practice's "sliding-scale" for those below a certain income level - I'm still amazed at that one.

[Papadoc]

To the OP: If NP is really what you want, then just suck it up and finish te school. Any success is based on incovenience. I know it's easier said than done, and only you know you situation best. Education is very disorganized, and graduate education is even more so. What you have to do is to create your own system which will allow you to succeed. Also find someone who is already doing O'K in school. May be create a small study group, talk to your instructors (those who are approachable). Once you get a handle on the situation things should get better for you. Just look at so many who have already done it. The pain is temprorary ( I would hope),

Best of Luck.

[glea1022]

To the OP:

I hear you! I am in my second semester of my master's program. My original plan was to go the Nurse Educator track, but I am rethinking and seriously considering just getting my NP while I'm at it. I figure if I'm shoving bamboo shoots under my fingernails, I might as well do the same to the toes! I've said all along I need to have my head examined for trying to do this, work full time (40+ hours per week), and all with two kids (4 and almost-2). :eek: Somehow, I'm getting through it. I realize that I may well need to cut back on my work hours later in the program, but I figure I will cross that bridge when I get there. For now, I'm hanging in there.

I keep trying to remind myself that I don't have to climb the mountain in a single leap--just take one obstacle (rock, stream, fallen log) at a time and one of these days I'll look around and realize that I'm at the top! WHEEEEEE!!!