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Discussion

What next?

After telling myself for months that I should go back to school to become a FNP, I'm questioning myself. A little about myself: I'm a driven, motivated, and independent 24 year old. I work in inpatient oncology/palliative care and have been a nurse for about a year and a half. I am currently studying for my certification exam in hospice and palliative care and will be taking that in the end of March. My long term career goal is to be a palliative/hospice nurse practitioner and possibly do something within nursing education as well. I have no children, no partner, don't own a home, and really have nothing "keeping me here" in my current city. I know many travel nurses who have loved their travel nurse positions, but I don't know if it is for me or not. I do love to travel and have always wanted to travel the country to explore cities. But, I worry that I would get too stressed out with job conditions and other uncertainties. I'm really not interested in doing travel nursing and doing online graduate school at the same time because I feel it would be too stressful. I'd love some opinions from nurses out there...what should I do next? Should I pursue graduate school because I have a good idea of where I want to go in my career? Or should I put that on the back burner for now, jump out of my comfort zone, and pursue travel nursing?

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    You are so young. I would put off the decision for a couple years.

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    I would travel :) Enjoy some of the country and live a little. You don't know what you future holds, and if the ability to travel will be feasible.

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    You won't know until you try.

    There is an element of uncertainty with travel nursing, but it's only 13 weeks.

    The beaches of Honolulu will make it all worthwhile. ;)

    Good luck, keep us posted.

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    Since you are so young try travel nursing. You can explore and if you don't like a place you can usually move on after 13 weeks.

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    Oncpalnurse,

    It seems like our lives are similar! I am also not "anchored" to my current city or job by kids or a spouse, and I too want to pursue an NP degree in the future. I have decided to actively pursue travel nursing at this time, as it has always been a dream of mine. I have a few more years of nursing experience under my belt, and I can tell you that I had the same dilemma when choosing what step to take next. But life happens, and if you have a curiosity for travel nursing, now is the right time for you! Later on you may meet someone, have kids, and want to settle down. Travel nursing will still be possible then but it will be more difficult to navigate.

    Another bonus of putting off school a bit more is that you'll gain more nursing experience and that will make you a stronger candidate for NP school. You can also hopefully save up more money from Travel nursing to put towards your advanced degree later.

    Best of luck in what you decide!! This must be an exciting time for you :)

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