Thinking of giving up FNP program

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I just graduated with my BSN last december and took about a 2 month break then started FNP school online at south university while I'm travel nursing too at the same time. I'm extremely overwhelmed, I'm thinking I should've let myself have maybe a year break or something and I just don't want to do it anymore, I'm about 3 classes in and 7K in debt so far to the program. I just really feel like is it even worth it to go for FNP? I currently work ER at a level I trauma center and I love it, I don't feel overly stressed at work and I love my coworkers. I was thinking to myself, do I really want to go through all this school and studying when I could just be enjoying my life in beautiful florida with great people?? Do FNP's even make that much more than RN's?? I heard they don't but I've also heard crazy figures. Anyways money hasn't always been my number one priority as I don't spend much and I'm not flashy but hey making more is always a good thing right??? Should I drop the program and maybe start it up later or a year from now?? I don't know my drive for school is just not there anymore. I haven't taken a long break from school since I could remember. Even since highschool I always did summer school each year to get ahead, So i've really not had a summer break to myself since I was..... 14 maybe?

Any and all information would be helpful, Thanks in advance!!!

Hey there! I am right there with you in the online FNP program. I do not like it. At all. I am transferring to a ground campus. Could this be an option for you? I had not even thought about it until one of the NPs I work with told me about it. I am a "weekender" so the High Point NC program will work great for me- the class goes all day every Thursday. There is a Savannah GA program that my friend attended- it's one weekend a month Saturday/Sunday. How far are you into the program? I am completing Pharmacology now online and I don't feel like I have learned anything....not enough at least to provide patient care. I have an MSN but it's leadership concentration. They let me transfer Theory and Research, so I had to take Role of the ANP, the Policy class, Pharmacology (finishing Wednesday)- I still need Pharmacology, ANP I, and Health Assessment before I go into clinicals.

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Why do you want to be an NP? Money? That's really not a good reason. That will always disappoint. Do you want to do the JOB of a NP? That's the real question. If you like being a RN, and don't have the drive to get through NP school, then what are you doing it for in the first place? Not having a break isn't a great reason either. The vast majority of MDs go to school, non stop, for many years more than NPs. You either want it or you don't. But don't make the mistake of thinking the grass is greener if you don't really have any good reason to do it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
How much do non-travel RNs make in the southeast? Can it be more than FNPs but with significant overtime, nights or weekends?

RN in the southeast here. APPs in my system start in low 80's. If i worked a 12 hr day shift monday-thursday (48 hr/week) my pretax is mid 90's. I am thinking about being an RN (prior to some sort of aprn program) much longer than i had planned :up: At that time, my

loans will all be paid, and i will be able to work part time and actually concentrate on school. I don't want to do the whole work/parent/school, sleep deprivation thing.

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The Nurse Practitioners I work with do not take calls, work M-F, 8 am to 5 pm. Salary range: $130k - $156K/year and they are not salary which means they get paid for overtime. It also depends on the specialty; NPs in other departments work 12-14 hr days/ M-F.

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While that is possible depending on region that is not the norm and surely you will not see those salary ranges in Florida...more like CA. As others have said focus more than just the $$$

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I vote take a break. School isn't going anywhere, you love your current job, and you can return when you're recharged and refreshed with a clear goal of WHY you want to get your MSN/NP. It sounds like you already know this in your heart, but wanted some reassurance. Now go to work, come home, go to the gym/beach/movies, travel, and give yourself a study break. Best of luck! :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to student NP forum

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I hear this consistently. Being treated like a professional goes a long way.

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Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics, Women's Health, Addiction.

If you like what you are doing, there is no point in torturing yourself. We definitely need RN's who love what they do. As far as becoming a NP, you gotta pay the cost to be the "boss". Not everyone wants to be the "boss", and that's just fine.

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RN make around 110k here and NP 134K....not worth the debt, stress, and added liability.

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RN make around 110k here and NP 134K....not worth the debt, stress, and added liability.

@bryanleo09 what part of the country are you located?

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California. This area seems oversaturated with NP so that does play a part.

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