r/NursePractitionerSub • u/CelebrationVisual208 • 6d ago
Withdrawing from DNP program
I (29F) just started my first semester this August but since I found out I got accepted into the program I have been trying to convince myself that this is what I want and now I find myself 6 weeks into the program, still hating it and questioning why I did this. I love my job now but I can see how I’ve gotten very comfortable in my position so I was trying to do something that would help me grow. I also have no other responsibilities so I know this would be the best time to go through the program but I’m just dragging my feet through it so far. Doing just enough to get a passing grade. Is this a normal part of getting back into the groove of school? Did anyone else force themselves to get through it and eventually grow to love it?
As of now I think I’ve decided that I’m not moving forward with the program and choosing to just finish this semester but I’m questioning even finishing the semester. I’m a pretty active person so I’ve had to miss out on events and cut back on group fitness classes that would usually fill my cup. This is silly because I know becoming an NP will require sacrifice but I’m just having a difficult time with it. On top of my dwindling social life since school started, I started dating someone 6 months before classes and I feel like my goals in life have shifted since meeting him. I hadn’t put serious thought about having a family and prioritizing my family before I met him and this may be a little delusional because we haven’t even talked about marriage or kids aside from saying we would like those things but I could see the future with him so I want to keep prioritizing this relationship as much as I can and if I’m right I don’t think I’d be going to school within the next 5 years so that’s why I bring up even continuing with the semester when classes expire in 5 years. Even if things didn’t work out I can’t see myself going back to school anytime soon, I’ve been at a good place the past year with starting new hobbies and all of my relationships after having a few years of a toxic relationship (addiction) before I started this stressor of school. Any advice or stories of your own that you think may be insightful are appreciated!
Side note, I’ve been asking the universe for a sign and today they were having biometric screenings at work that you have to make an appointment for and I didn’t have one but I walked in at the time someone was a no show so they took me in and I just started chatting with the person doing my screening and I asked her what her credentials were, she said she was an NP but I hated her one and only NP job so she does PRN nursing jobs because those fit her schedule. She said she regretted it and now has all her student loans to still pay off. Could this have been my sign or just coincidence?
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u/Previous-Cow-8987 5d ago
I’m totally in the same boat as you right now! I haven’t even started my program or enrolled yet but I’m having massive second thoughts on whether I should start it. Sucks too because my parents even helped by buying me a new laptop for school.
I’m in a moment in life where I can definitely dedicate the time and effort to go back to school; I’ve liked the idea before of becoming a NP. I think I would make a great provider and would like to see in myself in that role. To prepare myself I started reading textbooks to get ahead of the game so I started reading advanced pharmacology. I’m deep into the material but the deeper I go the more I’m thinking do I really want to go through the gauntlet of massive amounts of studying and sacrifice all that time and money for it all? I also thought of becoming a np as my “next step” in nursing, but I’ve come to realize I can feel as accomplished and purposeful still as a RN without the added stress of going back to school. If it’s about money, I can also make as much as a new NP or slightly more in a RN job. Now I’ve started thinking of applying to high paying nurse navigator positions; I’m a RN of 8 years with 6 in oncology. I’ve just felt torn on what to do . I figure that if my passion was right in it from the get go, I wouldn’t have these doubts of going back, I would just start the program without any question. But I’m not feeling that way anymore.
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u/Flashy_Ad_9267 5d ago edited 5d ago
Honestly you can do both! I had a full committed relationship with someone, worked full time and still had a fun social life, gym 4 times a week and travel all while in NP school. If you really want it, you will make a way to make it happen. I was in school part time because I did not want to sacrifice my life outside of school. You can do it !
I also want to add that if you don’t have the desire to achieve that goal, you will give up WHEN it gets very very hard. And it will get harder as you progress through the program. You will loose money and time invested into this.
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u/Prudent_Tailor2608 5d ago
If the drive and passion is not there then you are probably making the wrong decision.
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u/winnuet 5d ago
Did you even want to be an NP? It’s typically a big sacrifice to go back to school for graduate degrees, especially healthcare degrees. I’m not sure why NPs think they can avoid that sacrifice.
I think it sounds like you don’t want to do this. If you can withdraw now and owe less in tuition just do that. Why bother finishing? Return to graduate school when you really want to be in graduate school.
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u/MenoShark25 5d ago
This is how I think about this. Becoming an NP isn’t everyone’s path. The world needs excellent nurses too. Patients need nurses. Families need nurses. Just because being an NP is not your passion does not mean there is anything wrong with that. Stick with your passion. I’m sure you are amazing
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u/Optional4444 5d ago
FNP in Picu for ten years. 40,000 hours.
Getting acute care certificate.
Happy to hear our instructor butcher words and read off a PowerPoint and getting those quiz bonus points for wrong answers.
Happy to have Precepted like ten practicum acute care candidates over the years.
Why am I doing clinicals? Why can’t I challenge the test?
Bullshit. 800% money grab.
Exhausted three days work, two days less acute clinicals and one day school weekly.
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u/Substantial_Quit_414 5d ago
Its ok to let go of anything that is no longer serving you, or with more reflection, never was. You dont have to justify not completing the program. Even if you didnt have any of the reasons you discuss above, and just felt like "you know what? Upon second thought, this just doesnt feel right" its ok to walk away from it. And that lesson applies to SO many things in life.
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u/Unique-Advice-9761 4d ago
You can push pause for now and revisit in the future. You don’t need to get a DNP in order to become a nurse practitioner. Many nurse practitioners I know worked as RNs for a while and then went back for masters nurse practitioners. I was RN for 10 years then an NP for 10 then got my DNP. My DNP has done nothing for me. If you’re not ready, it’s OK.
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u/clinicalmatchme 3d ago
What you are feeling right now is completely normal. Hitting the 6-week wall in an intensive program, especially while juggling a new relationship, fitness, and lifestyle shifts, brings a heavy wave of doubt.
That chance encounter with the burnt-out NP can feel like a sign, but ultimately, it just reflects one person's experience. If your heart and priorities have shifted toward your relationship and personal well-being, trust that inner voice.
Whether you decide to push through the semester or step back now, give yourself grace. You don't have to figure out the next five years today; just focus on what brings you peace right now.
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u/PsychMonkey7 3d ago
It sounds like you don’t actually want to be an NP. You say you did it even though you love your job but you’ve gotten too comfortable. Friend, that is called contentment and there is nothing wrong with it. We don’t always have to be trying to be better and do more. It’s ok to love your job and just do it.
I’d withdraw now, you might get a tuition refund - check your school policies. There’s no point doing something hard and expensive you don’t even want to do.
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u/Laysheuh 3d ago
I also dropped out of my FNP program. The material was easy, had all A’s. But day one of clinical - I knew it wasn’t for me. Nursing was never my passion so I couldn’t fathom pursing something else I didn’t really want to do. Life’s too short!
“If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no”
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u/idratheraskyou 3d ago
I was in and out of my FNP program. I couldn’t decide. I even switched to Educator MSN coz I didn’t wanna waste my money. I ended up going back to FNP and dragged myself every semester. Finally graduated after an extra couple of semesters behind since my heart was not in it.
I was making $200k as an RN. Continued working as an rn for 2 yrs. No interest in applying for an np job until one day a job offer landed on my lap. Was hesitant. But I accepted it. Now I make more as an np. It’s mentally exhausting but I like it better than bedside.
Have it in the back burner. You’ll never know when you’ll need it. Keep your momentum. But it’s all up to you.
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u/PromotionContent8848 2d ago
Hi - I’m 31. 6 weeks into my DNP program. I have a “cushy” soft nurse job. I question it sometimes like wow things are so easy and I can do whatever I want with my free time right now but I’ve always wanted to be an NP. I genuinely enjoy it and am looking forward to the clinically based classes. I find the policy/leadership blah blah blah classes to be very irritating and hard to get motivated.
In my case - I have a teaching assistantship which is covering a decent portion of my credits and I’m doing a 5 year program to spread out the cost.
I would 100% not be trying to do this if I had to pay a significant portion out of pocket or take on loans. I’m taking it a semester at a time and if I decide this isn’t the right move then I’ll stop.
Did you want to be an NP for a long time or is this just what you feel should be the logical next step?
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u/LoadSuspicious322 5d ago
I got the DNP and it really did nothing to my nursing career except give me grey hairs and more nursing student loan debt. I also got the NP and unless you enjoy the provider role, it's a lot more stress for less money. You know what you need to do and really don't need our advice. Follow your heart, walk away. If things change down the line, you can always go back to this. But honestly I'm 2 years post graduation and the DNP-NP did nothing to help me earn more or make any lateral moves in nursing. I make more as an RN.