Negotiate or walk?

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I currently am the NP for a federally funded program for treatment of inmates. I do like my job but the politics have me ready to pull my hair out. I was approached about helping to start up another federally funded clinic on Saturdays. Compensation was promised from the beginning. As the date draws closer for the clinic to start, there is no longer talk of me being compensated. Well really I should say when I bring it up, the subject changes quickly. Today I found out from a physician that I am not just helping to start up the clinic but that the plan is for me to run the clinic!!! So it seems that my job is skating around negotiating an increase in salary in hopes of trapping me into working two clinics for the price of one. Of course that's a "Hell No" for me. I currently do not work weekends and am definitely not about to give up every other Saturday for the same pay. Needless to say I think every other Saturday will turn into every Saturday due to the high number of inmates that will be treated at this new clinic. So far everything has been verbal, I'm not locked into anything as of yet. I currently run a clinic and am not enthused about running another especially with the requirement of weekend days and my hour long commute to my job those weekends. Would I be wrong to set an ultimatum, 120k or no clinic? Right now I make mid 90s for the one clinic. I just don't even want to do the negotiations and I'm ready to just back out completely due to the shadiness. I feel it's going to be a huge battle if I ask for more money. I can get real ugly if need be but this is essentially my first job and I don't want to leave a bad mark if things get too ugly.

MikeFNPC, MSN

261 Posts

Specializes in FNP.

In my opinion added responsibility=added compensation. So, yes to the increase in base salary. I would negotiate the weekend to either hourly, like 100/hr, or extra pay if they plan on giving you a day off during the week. And of course this all needs to be in writing. From what I hear in my area, TX, the correctional system is hurting for providers. You may be in a good position to negotiate.

I'm not familiar with the correctional system but if there's either a cost saving aspect or any kind of revenue generating, then some kind of bonus structure should be discussed as well. When we negotiate, we negotiate our service. Part of the service is our presences and being available. Good luck, keep us informed of what happens.

Jules A, MSN

8,864 Posts

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Negotiating does not have to be stressful or contentious. In fact I rarely negotiate and instead give employers my required income and let them decide if they want me or not. If not, thats cool, I thank them for their consideration and move it along. You know what this job will entail and it actually sounds as if you aren't interested in adding the extra duties, travel and weekends so unless you are highly motivated by money, as I am lol, you might not even need to do anything more than decline the position.

The fact that you are working in corrections and not making top dollar is unfortunate and leads me to believe they probably think they can take advantage of your naivete and continue to work you like a dog with minimal compensation. All geographic areas are different of course but I don't know any PMHNPs working in corrections who are making less than $100 an hour. Good luck!

allnurses Guide

BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP

1,678 Posts

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I agree with the others-do not work for free. Sit down and figure out what it would take for you to accept running the other clinic, or if you even want the extra responsibility regardless of the compensation. Either way, get your resume ready so you'll be ready to jump into a job search if it doesn't work out.

Neats, BSN

682 Posts

Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

I am a nurse RN and have a background in Administration. I have had years past experience hiring healthcare professional form MD's to housekeeping.

Because you have "appeared" to be willing to step up and assume responsibility, to take on more tasks and already run one clinic it is an easy choice for you to take charge of this new clinic/opportunity. As the administrator I am looking at the business needs to me you are a wonderful asset to use... and I will with a business mind set. P,ease do not take offense with me saying this it is a compliment.

Now here is some advise

You come with some very high tech skills that are in demand and hard to find. You use this to your advantage for you have trained many years and you want a return on your education investment. If you can handle the stress and negotiate, find out how much time this will take to initiate and then maintain and set your requests high it is a lot easier to move down than up.

I would also take into account bonuses based on the profit of the new clinic. Why place that profit in someone else's pocket. Your thought process should be show me the money. You can provide great healthcare services and make great money. I would much rather see it go to the person who is working hard than the person who rides on the coat tails of others.

allnurses Guide

BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP

1,678 Posts

Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

OP-

What did you decide to do?

jaznia15

211 Posts

Ok this has been such a tailspin of a situation but here is an update. After going between the state medical director, hospital administrator, and GI doc, I feel I have been very misinformed by all. The medical director stated he didn't think I would be running the clinic just helping. The GI doc says he wants me to run it. When I spoke with the hospital administrator he said I would not get a salary increase outside my normal raise and I would be compensated at $75/hr for my Saturdays worked. The clinic is only set up for 4 hours and I told him that was not enough reimbursement to constitute me driving an hour to my job site on my Saturdays off. I asked him what was the official plan and he sends me back to the GI doc although the hospital administrators had a meeting with the GI dept about the plans for the clinic. I wasn't invited to this meeting although the GI NP was. Well today I read an email where the GI doc basically says that the GI dept will see the new patients but that all follow ups should be done with the prison NP (ME!!!). I forwarded this email to the hospital administrator who basically says no to a salary increase so I declined to be involved. He then sends an email stating this will be my responsibility as he has been informed that I have the time. I sent back an email stating that he was misinformed of the time I have available. I also said as a provider, I would not take on the liability of these patients as I have not had any proper training on Hepatitis C treatment. I also stated that I will not take on any extra duties without reimbursement. He never replied so I'm just awaiting my dismissal at this point and am over the whole thing. I like my job but it's not worth the disrespect for my position. You are billing for my services and on top of that the program saves the state millions of dollars. I don't think a salary increase is out of line especially when you are essentially asking me to run TWO clinics being responsible for a whole new set of patients on top of my original patients.

Specializes in psychiatric.

I would be looking for a new position or start looking at a transfer if you want to stay in the state system. Unfortunately, it sounds like the way my state runs things as well, you are not respected at all.

It is a slippery slope with these kinds of places, and I think that at some point you will have had enough. The question is how much more time do you want to waste on these jokers before you leave.

jaznia15

211 Posts

I am steadily planning my exit strategy. I will actually be starting an insurance home assessment job this weekend!!! I got this job in the hopes of leaving my PRN RN position at the hospital. I have done the math and if I need to leave immediately, I shouldn't have any problems managing my bills working both positions until something else comes along. After this whole experience, I'm hoping to attain an ER NP position close to home. I'd rather be paid hourly and work 10-12 shifts per month rather than the 5 days/week salaried position. The house always wins with salary it seems. The commute and the headache from administration has become enough. I'm actually going to get a copy of my job description today to see if they can even try to make me do this clinic. I don't think so and I refuse to be bullied into doing it!!!

jaznia15

211 Posts

A small amount of stress has been removed as I read my job description which only notes that my primary responsibility is taking care of those infected with HIV/AIDS. At this point, I don't think they can "make" me do the clinic without a change in job description which I would have to agree to and sign.

Specializes in psychiatric.

Sounds like you have things well in hand!

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Edited post due to OPs update

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