Make Your Pursuit of Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner a Family Affair

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A career in healthcare is something that people all across the country choose each and every day. It is known as one of the most noble yet challenging careers to pursue, as you will be putting the needs and health of others first and making sure your patients receive the very best care possible. Of course, with so many different career paths in the field of healthcare, it also offers a wide range of opportunities, providing a little something for everyone with an eye on the field.

If you’ve decided that the right path for you is to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner, then there are many steps you’ll need to take. For those who have a family of their own, it can seem a little overwhelming when you first make the decision. How will you pursue this new and exciting career all while staying connected and an active member of your family?

Have no fear, as we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of ways you can pursue your dream career and make it a family affair all at the same time.

Discuss Your Goals with the Family

A good place to start is by discussing your career goals with your family. Lay it out for them, let them know why you feel passionate about a career as a family nurse practitioner, and be clear about what you’ll need to do in order to fulfill your dream. The more details you can provide your family with, the less questions they will have. This will help everything to chug along much smoother.

Obtain Your Degree Online

Another great way to stay connected to your family and have them involved as much as possible is to obtain your degree online. Today, online universities have become more and more the norm, as they offer all kinds of benefits that traditional on-campus schools just can’t match.

Some of the key reasons people opt for an online education include:

You don’t have to relocate just to attend your top choice school.
You can keep working either part-time or full-time, allowing you to pay for your schooling and your regular bills.
Online universities tend to have flexible schedules and start dates, making them more accessible to a wider group of people.
The only “equipment” you’ll need is your computer and high-speed internet access.
You can join online study groups with co-students so you still feel part of the mix.
Tuition tends to be cheaper for these online schools.
You won’t have to pay transportation/commuting costs to get to and from school.

Because these online universities have become so much more popular and mainstream, students are also finding a much wider cross-section of classes and programs available. The MSN-FNP online Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner degree program at Carson-Newman, a nurse practitioner school in Vermont, is a great example of the kind of program you can enroll in.

This particular program has a number of standout features going for it, including:

It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
It can be completed in as little as 32 months
Everything is done online, except your clinicals and residency
It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

You will be at home during your entire school process, there is no need to move away from the family or deal with a lengthy commute, and they will be able to see first-hand just how dedicated you are to your goal of becoming a family nurse practitioner.

Learn to Delegate at Home

It’s also wise to sharpen up your delegation skills and learn when and how to ask for help around the house. Maybe you’re used to being the one who does the majority of the tasks around the home while looking after the kids. This is going to be awfully difficult if you’re busy pursuing a degree and possibly working at the same time. Learning how and when to delegate is your own option.

So, what are the best items to delegate to other household members? Here’s a comprehensive list:

Grocery shopping
Cooking
Laundry
Preparing lunches for the kids
Bathing the kids
The bedtime routine for the kids
Outdoor chores

While some of these tasks are clearly going to need to be done by your significant other, this is also a great time for the kids to step up and help out. Make it clear that you need help because you are busy pursuing a new career path and assign them chores and tasks they can handle.

In order to keep things organized, you may even want to create charts such as a chore chart, meal chart, grocery list chart, homework chart, and so forth.

Ask for Study Help from Your Family

You can also get the family involved in your studies by asking them to help you do just that – study. Let family members act as your study-buddy as you prepare for tests and assignments. The kids can read you practice questions, while you can bounce ideas off your significant other and discuss what you’ve learned at greater lengths.

Don’t Forget to Schedule Downtime

And while you’re busy juggling a number of hats at once, don’t forget to also schedule in a little downtime. This is time you can spend as a core family unit, with your extended family, or your friends. It’s all about creating balance in life so that you don’t get too rundown or overworked.

Some great activities that can help you burn off stress include: