To Be a CRNP or Not to Be a CRNP

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Pediatric and psychiatric.

Hello!

I am a nurse who graduated from a diploma program almost a year ago with my RN. I have been thinking about whether or not I should go back to school in order to persue a career as a CRNP. On one hand I like the idea of having more autonomy in my nursing practice, but on the other hand I would also like to settle down and have a family, and I don't want a career to get in the way of that. While still unsure, I applied to a college in order to get my BSN, but I now have another problem; I am unable receive federal assistance because my parents do not wish to fill out the required information on the fafsa form and I am unable to take a loan without one of them co-signing for me ( I don't blame my parents for not doing either of this things, I think it's ridiculous that they need to when I am 21 with a full-time nursing career). If I do choose to start my path to CRNP I will need to wait about another year before starting my BSN so that I can pay the tuition out of pocket. However, if I do start, I think it will most likely take me 1 1/2-2 years to complete my BSN and then an additional 3-4 years to complete my MSN/CRNP. I don't know if I like the idea of just finishing my career path when I'm almost 30; I think at that point I'd like my focus to be kids and my family. Even though I feel this way I don't ever want to regret not becoming a CRNP; I'm afraid I will feel mediocre if I just remain an RN. Anyway, I would really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Has anyone handled a similar situation? Should I sacrifice a family or a career? Does anyone have any advice on how to avoid paying for college out of pocket?

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Your not sacraficing anything. At age 21 I became an LPN. Then got married, then had my daughter. It took my 6 years to go back for my RN. I completed my ADN this past August and now on May 1st I start back for my BSN. After than I plan to take off at least 6 months and go back for my MSN. I am 30 years old. My dream/goal was to have my MSN by the time I turned 25. You have time. You can manage. I have a wonderful family and I am able to balance my husband, my daughter, my full time job and now school. It can be done. Determination, dedication and reaching your goals will get you there.

Good Luck!!

Your never too old!!!!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Can you get a job that offers tuition reimbursement?

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