To MSN or FNPs I've got an education question

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

So I want to ask you MSN or FNPs a question. I'm an experienced BSN nurse. I've done med surg, ortho, ED, and step down heart. I really want to go back to school. I had applied to an FNP program last August and was getting ready to start when I just got overwhelmed with life and bailed out. My husband was full time in school and worked full time 9-5 AND has a side business he does at home, additionally, I had a 1 year old and was full time working myself. It hit me like "Are you crazy you can't do this!" But now my husband is not in school and this frees up time for him in the evenings. I really want to have more kids. I have one son and would like another little one in a couple years. I really think I would like to teach nursing. I was thinking maybe I could teach online courses and spend more time at home. This would make it easier to have a second baby if I was home more. I guess I have a couple questions. Should I pursue FNP or MSN in education. I had FNP instructors in my BSN program so I know they can teach as well as practice in an office or whatever. Also, are there plenty of online teaching jobs or is that hard to come by? I don't want to have unrealistic dreams about teaching online either. I know it's probably a lot of work. Just asking for any thoughts or suggestions from you all that are in this area and have done this. Thanks a lot

[medic9872]

Hi! I completely understand how you're feeling - overwhelmed by life and work, and yet you want to go back to school and further your career. It sounds like life might be settling down a bit, so I think you should go for it. Can you do online classes? You don't necessarily have to choose one of the strictly online schools, many state schools offer online classes as well. My BSN program was entirely online except for clinicals. I applied to GA State University for their FNP program, which is a hybrid type of program. I would suggest looking into what is offered by whatever your preferred school is and go from there. Maybe you should talk to an advisor and see what advice they can offer. I think FNP would afford you the opportunity to practice as well as teach as you said, but an education degree would not. If you think you might want to practice as an FNP, I would go that route. You can always go back and take education classes later, if needed. Or you could do the education degree and then do a post-grad certificate for FNP. Follow your heart and good luck!