Working while doing DNP?

[MallysMama]

Hello! For those who have obtained the DNP (or are currently in school for it)... What are your thoughts on starting a new full time NP job while also completing a year long DNP?

I finish my masters in two months and my program grants us the degree so that we can take boards...and then we continue on for another year finishing up the doctorate. I don't want to wait a whole year to begin working. I've received a few offers of interest for jobs...but I'm worried about starting as a new NP full time and still doing school. Has anyone done this? Would you recommend it or was it too crazy stressful?

[IsabelK]

Hi--

I did my DNP while working full time (I'm an ANP). I did the DNP part time officially but it might as well have been a full time program because of all the study hours. Unlike you, though, I had been an NP and working as an NP for not quite two years when I started my DNP program. I think for you, you have to look at whether or not you'll be able to commit to both. Working as a brand new NP is stressful and it takes a good 6 months to really start to feel like you have even a beginner's level of competency (at least in my experience and from talking with other NPs). Presumably you'll need to do a capstone or thesis for the DNP as well. This can also be stressful. I do know people who did it, though, and survived it and are doing well now. I think only you can answer this for yourself.