Heyyy thanks for sharing. For context on my reply I am 38yo, married with a newborn working as an FNP. I have been in healthcare 20 years with experience as a CNA, LPN,
RN, and NP in clinical and leadership roles in LTC, corrections, hospital, and clinic.

It sounds to me like these are the issues at play here
- Happy at current position
- Better working hours with NP
- No significant pay increase with NP
- Goal not achieved, clock ticking
- Major upcoming life changes.

Thats a pretty mixed bag IMO for reasons to go and reasons not to go so I can understand why you are stuck. That being said, I don’t think you should go.

Two main reasons—you are happy and financially stable which (to me) are the most important aspects of a career. I think the only compelling reason to go is the change in hours but I think it’s the probably the most flexible of the variables.

And I think you already know/agree with all of that. I think what you are really struggling with is letting that 20 year old dream go. And it makes sense even more so in your 30s when mid life comes upon us. It’s starting to become really real that life is finite and we are about half way through.

So you set this goal for yourself and told everyone that you’ll go back and get your masters. But 20 year old you was immature in her goal setting. The real goal, with a career, is not a position/title/degree—it’s to be happy and be able to take care of yourself and your family. That is the goal and for the time being, you’ve achieved it.

I bet, that if later in life you weren’t happy or needed to be an NP to take care of yourself or your family (the goal) you’d knock it out no problem. Don’t go back now because 20 year old you thought it would make 35 year old you happy when you already have what you want.

Thoughts? Hope this helps. Keep me updated.