Would you relocate your family to go to NP school?

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jun 17, 2008

I would not, as long as there were decent programs within an hour and a half of my home. If there were absolutely no programs around I, personally, still would not relocate - just because for my family, it would not be a logical option due to my dh's employment (since he is the breadwinner, and still will be even after I obtain my MSN). I would probably highly consider a distance program where I would only have to be on campus a few times per semester if becoming an NP was my ultimate goal.

Now, if I were single, I would definitely relocate to attend an NP program.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jun 17, 2008

What type of NP program are you looking at?

I think I'd hesitate to move a family to go to grad school. Part of it is probably the financial aspect. After residency, docs can expect a pretty dramatic rise in salary. I think that sometimes nurses look at NP school with that expectation, but I know that many have been shocked that most entry-level NP positions don't pay a whole lot more than they made as an experienced staff nurse.

elkpark · Jun 17, 2008

I relocated to attend grad school, although the "family" was just myself and my long-time boyfriend. We both quit our jobs, closed up the house for two years and got the cheapest apartment we could find in the city where the school was located, shared one car, and he found a full-time job there.

There is also the possibility of the family staying in place and you relocating temporarily to attend grad school. In either case, whether or not it was "do-able" would depend on how supportive your family was willing to be (and how much sacrifice they were willing to make).

SparklyGirl · Jun 18, 2008

I would not. But I am settled with a husband and three kids.

The main reason we wouldn't move is because we are in the top school district in CA and wouldn't want to move out of it. Plus we have a huge group of friends and would not want to leave them.

If I were single, and just me and the hubs, I'm sure I would.

Jo Dirt · Jun 18, 2008

What type of NP program are you looking at?
I think I'd hesitate to move a family to go to grad school. Part of it is probably the financial aspect. After residency, docs can expect a pretty dramatic rise in salary. I think that sometimes nurses look at NP school with that expectation, but I know that many have been shocked that most entry-level NP positions don't pay a whole lot more than they made as an experienced staff nurse.

Yea, I checked out the financial aspect of it awhile back. I started a thread asking if all the extra schooling to be a NP made it worgwhile finanically. I got a variety of answers, which left me more confused, but it seems NP's can generally expect to get better benefits than most floor nurses and with experience their salary will get better, but I know an NP salary in itself isn't going to send me to the Bahamas every year or put me in a brand new BMW.

This makes me ask another question: would aspiring CRNA's relocate their families to go to anesthesia school?

I'm just wondering how far people are willing to go. I'm the primary breadwinner and I have four children, the husband doesn't work. We own several farms here and are "settled" I guess but seeing as we have no family closeby that doesn't mean much to me.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jun 18, 2008

This makes me ask another question: would aspiring CRNA's relocate their families to go to anesthesia school?

I would imagine aspiring CRNAs would be more willing to relocate because I believe there are fewer CRNA programs across the country, so unless one was nearby, it would have to be one of the sacrafices. Also, a brand new CRNA can make a very nice salary, so it might make things a little easier for relocation/paying back loans once a CRNA is out of school compared to a new grad NP.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jun 19, 2008

This makes me ask another question: would aspiring CRNA's relocate their families to go to anesthesia school?
I'm just wondering how far people are willing to go. I'm the primary breadwinner and I have four children, the husband doesn't work. We own several farms here and are "settled" I guess but seeing as we have no family closeby that doesn't mean much to me.

Keep in mind that in CRNA school, you, as the primary breadwinner with several mouths to feed in this crappy economy, will not be able to work at ALL during most of your schooling.

I moved to attend grad school. I got into a great program, and had no commitments tying me down. I would have thought differently if I had a house or a family to uproot.

elkpark · Jun 19, 2008

Keep in mind that in CRNA school, you, as the primary breadwinner with several mouths to feed in this crappy economy, will not be able to work at ALL during most of your schooling.

Good point and very true.

jlcole45 · Jun 19, 2008

It really depends on your situation. How willing is your family to move with you? You definitely will make a better living as a NP vs an RN. I've done the math and even with only 20 years to retirement i'ts worth it financially for me to go back to school. Especially with the good possibility of getting assistance from scholarships and loan repayment programs.

The salary range in acute care for a RN in Western NC is 42,5K - 70K, and for the NP its 69K - 103K. And we are not the highest paying market for nurses.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 19, 2008

Nope - would not relocate my family. However, I would travel and move if necessary. That said, there are many, many NP programs so don't think I would need to move. Now, as Eric pointed out, CRNA programs are farther apart so I might need to move to take advantage of them.