Nurse Kaycee Here

I’m back!!!

I officially burned myself out to the point of exhaustion and I took a much need break to recenter, refocus, and reprioritize my career and business goals.

In the last few months, I’ve applied to and started graduate school. I’d been debating on going to grad school for years and I finally went through with it.

When I was considering graduate school as a nurse, I had many people tell me to go to nurse practitioner school (AKA NP school). Or get an MSN. This didn’t resonate with me for many reasons.

One, I left bedside nursing in 2018 and I have no intention of going back soon.

Two, I’ve heard that the NP market -especially pediatric NP and family NP market- is oversaturated. I didn’t want to spend all this money on grad school to not be able to easily find a job. Most NP job descriptions I looked at require experience as an NP. So, unless I had an “in” at a job, I think I would probably be looking for a while.

Three, I just don’t WANT to be a nurse practitioner. I just don’t. I’m not cut out for it.

And that’s okay.

After I debated this for a few weeks, I thought about what other grad programs I would be interested in. I wanted something flexible where I wouldn’t have to do clinical. I wanted an online program as I am great at remote schooling. I also wanted a program that was flexible given I work full time and own a business.

I spoke with a friend who was entering an MBA program and it sounded interesting to me, so I looked at MBA programs that had a health concentration. After a few Google searches I stumbled upon an online MBA program with a concentration in Health Systems Leadership. I applied, was accepted and started the program within a three-week period.

I’m now taking six credits a semester, which is one class every 8 weeks. I’m now four weeks into the program and I am finding the coursework load to be manageable.

If you’re afraid that you can’t work full time as a nurse and go to school, you can totally do it. I’m not sure about working full time and going to school full time, but so far part time is fair to manage. I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but I don’t think it is as difficult as NP school would be.

I’m glad that I choose the MBA program and it aligns with my future career goals. It gives me flexibility to “climb the corporate ladder”, or pivot careers. I also dabble in continuing my entrepreneurial endeavors. I often dream of working for myself and calling the shots.

If you’re debating on a graduate program, do what’s best for you and what aligns with your goals. Find programs you’re interested in and talk to the admission directors or counselors. They’ll give you a good idea of how much time and energy go into the program and if it would be a good fit for you.

Keep dreaming. You’ve got this!