Soul searching to further career APRN or MD?

Nurses General Nursing

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hi,

i am currently soul searching with what direction to take my career. i am a registered nurse and have 2 baccalaureate degrees (nursing and physical education). i was thinking of going for my aprn, however now that it requires a phd, what is the differences in time, money, responsibility of getting an od or md? any suggestions? as for specialty, i'm possibly thinking of gi, however not really sure. my work history is in cardiac but don't feel "obligated" to stay in cardiac. as an aside, i have 3 children and am married (2 children are young and one is a senior in high school). i am wondering also the impact on us all and what kind of commitment it would require. any insight, suggestions, or comments? thanks!

love hugs and prayers

carol

Thats sort of what I'm thinking too but feel rushed and uninformed (with the changes breathing down my back!):eek::eek: I also don't know which area of specialty yet and am interested in finding out when you need to decide. Thanks again!

love hugs and prayers

Carol

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Personally I would focus my time on watching my children grow. If you already have two degrees why not just go for an advanced nursing degree as opposed to going for a MD. If you had no children I would say go for it, but your kids will only be kids once, so why not focus on them, but if it is something that you feel that you need to do then go for it, especially if you have a good support system.

I agree completely although next year they will both be in school full time (first grade and second grade), my oldest will be a freshman in college... I have LOTS of years to work YIKES:eek: and my baby will graduate high school when I turn 58! :eek: I'm looking realistically at the future and am finding that I love currently what I'm doing, cardiac home care, but the money for the hours is not something I can support 3 kids alone on if I had to. And it really isn't as flexible as I thought. They just increased the patient numbers (I'm per diem) and see the full timers getting buried. Most of them don't have a young family. I guess I feel that now is the time to go back to school when they are in school full time so I can support them later and pay for 2 more college tuitions once we swallow that large pill with my oldest! My husband has a very flexible job right now and works many days from home. He is encouraging it as well. Any thoughts?

love hugs and prayers

Carol

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If you're thinking about being a doctor you'd probably rather be one. I would personally, but I'm to the point now that just living life is more important to me than career goals. I've laid that to rest. I want to live on autopilot now. Forget a year of prereqs that I don't have, a gap year, four years of no income (med school) then being punked in residency for three plus years.

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I would love to be on autopilot at this point but God has other plans!:D My 12 years of infertility hell delayed our family and disrupted my career path in nursing. SOOOOOOOOO with many years of working ahead for me, I figure this is my restart/re-energizing to my career. I am just trying to weigh out the time, money and energy. I know I have many years ahead to work and my husband is a worker too so retirement is a long way away! LOL. I am not sure what positions require or provide what type of time/energy/committment/flexibility etc. I am hoping to do some shadowing to get a better sense of what is required and what their day is like. Thanks for the input :-)

love hugs and prayers

Carol

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Specializes in ACHPN.
The DNP entry to advance practice nursing is only in the recommendation phase IIRC. Unless this changed very recently. Meaning, a master's route is still available. Also, DNP != PHD in Nursing. The former is clinical, the latter, acedemic.

I hope this helps, because I would hesitate to go APRN if I had to get a PHD as well.

Currently, to be a nurse practitioner you need an MSN. However, in 2015, the requirement will change to DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice). I am currently studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) and will be done in 2013. Can't wait!

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Specializes in ACHPN.
hi,

i am currently soul searching with what direction to take my career. i am a registered nurse and have 2 baccalaureate degrees (nursing and physical education). i was thinking of going for my aprn, however now that it requires a phd, what is the differences in time, money, responsibility of getting an od or md? any suggestions? as for specialty, i'm possibly thinking of gi, however not really sure. my work history is in cardiac but don't feel "obligated" to stay in cardiac. as an aside, i have 3 children and am married (2 children are young and one is a senior in high school). i am wondering also the impact on us all and what kind of commitment it would require. any insight, suggestions, or comments? thanks!

love hugs and prayers

carol

most people are recommending fnp, rather than specialty advanced practice nursing (i.e. acute care np, pediatric np), but i think it depends on where your heart is. however, generalizing now will allow you to specialize later. i am in part time fnp program. it is online, i take 6 credits per semester, and it takes a total of 3 years to complete. my employer will pay for about 30%, and i am paying the rest. it works perfectly for me, because i do my school work when my kids are in school, and i work full time (3-12hr shifts/week.) i highly recommend it. the time requirement has to be less than becoming a physician. plus, to be a physician, you would be learning based on the medical model, rather than the nursing model. that could be a difficult transition.

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Thank you both for the encouragement. Where are you in school (or on line for coursework)? Do you know if there is going to be a grandfather clause? Thank you.

love hugs and prayers

Carol

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Specializes in ACHPN.

I go to Clarion University of PA (online), and yes there will be a grandfather clause, which is why I wanted to finish before 2015:)

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Do you know if this date varies by state? Is there a "governing body" for nursing that would show the information? Also how do you know the quality or qualifications of the on line schools? Thanks!

love hugs and prayers

Carol

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Specializes in ACHPN.

The university I attend is a state university that offers an online MSN program. I am not sure about other online only schools. I imagine that they must need credentialed by the NLN or some other credentialling agency. The website of the school should tell you who credentials them and what exam you will be able to sit for once you complete the program. For more info on the DNP, check out the AACN website at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/dnpfaq.htm

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Currently, to be a nurse practitioner you need an MSN. However, in 2015, the requirement will change to DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice). I am currently studying to be a Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) and will be done in 2013. Can't wait!

This is only a recommendation from the ANA right now.

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