MSW looking for a career in FNP

elkpark · Dec 9, 2016

Welcome to allnurses!

Did you notice that Vanderbilt's direct-entry FNP program is what they call a "hybrid" program? The first year of the program (the basic nursing education part leading to RN licensure), you take classes on campus and have clinicals in the Nashville area. It's only the second, FNP-specific portion of the program that is online, once you're already an RN.

You don't mention which school in Indiana you are talking about, but I would be v. surprised if that school offers a true, online direct entry nursing program.

Best wishes for your journey.

compassionresearcher · Dec 16, 2016

The first year of any of those programs is always to get the RN training. All NPs have RN licenses too. Like the post above said, I don't know of any of those programs offered strictly online. It's also very challenging to find NP preceptors once you do get to that level.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Dec 16, 2016

Have you considered moving to another area to find work as an MSW rather than a complete career change? Maybe find something in an LTC setting or even home care?

Buyer beware, BSN · Dec 16, 2016

Look into PA school also. (blasphemy)

Obviously the debt load you're carrying is a huge concern here. It would be Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farmish to not address that problem in trying to provide you with a realistic way forward with your life. But in that precarious area you can only do what you can do.

But your situation is not all that unusual.

My neighbor is a PA in practice for three or four years now and he recently informed me that he owes 160K in undergraduate and graduate student loans. All of which he is not presently paying. That I don't advise but he has two small children to care for and the blood from a stone concept kicks in.

So what to do? I can almost guarantee you that the nursing part of any "hybrid" or "direct entry" FNP program will kill your will to live. Again, if I hear you right, you like the medical end of it. This is why I suggest becoming a PA and skip the Nancy Nurse fluff completely.

As far as the cost is concerned, maybe there's an inheritance somewhere in your future.

So in looking at your assets it's good no children. You can live with mom and the best part of it all is that you are still young. And that my learned friend is indeed the greatest asset of all.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 16, 2016

YIKES!! $160k in student loans and not paying??? In my state (and others), you can't renew any professional license if you are in default on student loans.

It's tempting to take exception to the "nancy nurse fluff" comment. But obviously, I have a much different frame of reference on the value of the skills & knowledge required for nursing practice.

klawton · Dec 16, 2016

Hello,

I don't have the science courses to get into the PA program unfortunately! I don't know of any school's in the Iowa that would allow me to enroll in school without my science courses.. I was looking into Vanderbilt in TN and I actually spoke with them and I think that would be my best option. It's 2 year's and then I'll complete the requirements for my nurse practitioner. The reason for my career change is because im a researcher and I can honestly say that within the next 2-5 years due to the economic change the social services area will be destitute! I would rather be a psychiatric nurse practitioner with my social work degree rather than just a social worker! It's more lucrative and more flexible! Yes I have a lot of student loans but I'd rather make over $100k a year while paying my student loans rather than making $45-50k a year paying them back...it's not worth it at all

klawton · Dec 16, 2016

I do have science courses but I'm.missing the core classes such as anatomyyz microbiology, and nutrition. But I have a Bachelor's degree and all of my core classes such as humanities etc are done.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 16, 2016

Do a little research first. Subtract your student loans from what a starting (don't use average, use starting) salary of a FNP. You say that social work jobs are poorly paying, but if you calculated how much you will earn as a FNP with huge debts, will you really be better off?

A couple of weeks ago at work, I asked a couple of my coworkers who work overtime every single week, why. Student debt was the answer. One had a little remaining and wanted to pay it off quickly, and the other had a deep six-figure hole to dig out of. The debt really did have an effect on their life.

Something to consider.

klawton · Dec 16, 2016

I understand what you are saying! However in the next 5 years my field will be over with. It's not financially suitable for a person to get a MSW right now. A rn can do my job now. I wish I would've known this 2 years ago. Don't get me wrong I'll continue to research etcbut the way the government is and resources in our field everything is presription driven not talking things out etc! My goal is to get a Psychiatric np and open my own business. That way I can provide both counseling AND medication if need be.

4boysmama · Dec 16, 2016

I respectfully disagree that there will be no need for MSW in 5 years because rn's can do the job. it's just not true; rn's are already overworkd and with technology advances that isn't going to change anytimes soon. I can tell you a a hospice rn, I depend heavily on our msw's to deal ith psychosocial issues that I don't have the time or expertise to handle.

I would strongly suggest against going back to school for your np at this point. you will end up with double (triple? the debt in 2 years, and honestly...you will not be an attractive candidate for hire with no real world nursing experience. the degree without experiene is not worth the paper it's printed on, and if you do get a job you will not be getting the 100K salary you quote.

verene, MSN · Dec 16, 2016

Have you really sat down and looked at the numbers on this? You have a large debt load already. How much are you making as CNA? How much would you make at a "crappy paying" social work position? (In my area masters level social workers, even entry level make about double the annual income of a CNA). How much would that income be likely to change over the next 2-5 years? What are the job opportunities for nurses in your area? For social workers? What are the opportunities for each area if you move? Also take a hard look at what "no jobs" means. Does it really mean no jobs, or does it mean no jobs you are willing to take. No matter the career it is unusual to land a dream job the first year or two out of school.

How much debt would you have to take on in order to complete both undergraduate and graduate level nurse training? How much income would you lose during that time by not working or by working part-time to accommodate school? What is your debt to income ratio now? After factoring in your new debt for nursing school and an entry level FNP salary what would that debt to income ration be?

You sound like you don't want to take the 4 years or so that it takes to launch a social work career. Assuming you got into a an ABSN/MSN or direct-entry MSN program right away that is still 3 years of schooling and then starting your career. It doesn't up the time frame that much if at all. While you would then have a higher paying job to pay back those loans, your loans likely will have grown substantially (assuming you can continue to be approved to take out more loans) so that your take home income may well be the same or even less.

If you really want to make the jump to nursing, it may make more sense to take a slower and less expensive path that would allow you to earn and income along side school and start paying back some of the loans you owe now.

Further more, there are very few programs in the U.S. that are hybrid for pre-lisensure RNs. Those that do exist require regular travel for hands-on training, and are fairly expensive ways of gaining and nursing education. Are there alternative options for you? Either a local nursing program or the ability to move to attend school?

EDIT: I have no idea why "nursing program" is hyper-linked. I didn't put it in, and have no way to remove the link. This is annoying.