How to mentally prep and ACTUALLY leave...

i am in a weird scenario. i have been in my position for almost 20 years. it's a non-traditional gig- think similar to a dialysis nurse. i see my patients very regularly and have developed some incredible relationships over the years.

i am in APRN school and know that in about a couple semesters, i will probably have to leave. however, i am now at the point where i feel like i have to do it NOW. school is getting really involved and demanding. also, even though i really like the spot i'm in, i really want new scenery, new faces, new challenges, and just FRESH beginnings.

i would love to get some other experience before school is done, to round out my resume and also to give me some exposure to the other nursing worlds out there!

i have applied for multiple positions. i have had two interviews, both were posted as full-time but turned out to be part or per diem. i need bennies so need full time ultimately.

however, when it really comes down, i have nerves in my gut, knots in my gut, and totally think that i will chicken out of leaving. i know for my sanity it is time.

HOW do i mentally prepare myself to actually leave???
You have put a long, long time into a specialty. Depending on what kind of NP you are becoming, you could be best served by getting involved in that specialty--ER, or urgent care, or even a physician's office--just so you get some sense of what kind of work you will be doing. AND to get your foot in the door.So, to get yourself prepared, just keep repeating "I put my time in, time to go" It is scary, but you got this!Best wishes!
Yeah - I definitely hear you. It's scary to leave a comfortable gig and step out into the unknown. The process of starting over can generate a lot of anxiety. I usually try to "re-frame" by deliberately adopting a new perspective... rather than 'scary' (what if it doesn't work??) it can become exciting (this is the first step in my new career path). There are a lot of different techniques that can be used. I prefer visualization, but others tend to have better success with making lists... "things I am looking forward to", "things I will be really glad to leave behind", etc.Best of luck to you as you continue down your new path.
Thank you to both of these comments!I have been involved with interviewing and focusing on school and i know that the time has come to leave.it is going to be incredibly difficult to leave my patients, as some of them have been with me from the beginning of this job and have seen me through a lot of stages of my life!However, a great job opportunity is looming and I know that something like this won't come around again. I am focused on embracing the positive and meeting LOTS of new patients, new staff members, being closer to my home, being able to focus on school, having a LOT more time to spend with my kids and husband, actually having time to do things like clean my house, volunteer at my kid's school, actually ATTENDING the women's group at my church (meets on monday mornings- i have had to take time off from work in the past!), grocery shopping at other times than 11pm friday night or 6 am saturday, etc. There are a lot of great reasons to look forward. I am embracing the positives!
This is a great post. I have no where near the experience you do. I've only been working for a year, but I love my workplace and I'm scared to leave because I'm comfortable and I don't want to go somewhere that could have worse working conditions. I feel as though since I am a new grad I should try other specialities but at the same time I already feel like I'm in my niche but how would I ever know for sure?I'm already thinking about going for my masters but then I think about how I want to get a job with experience related to primary care for the FNP program.I think once we make the leap it won't be as bad, we just have to do it. And we would be thankful for doing it in the end.