[PennyNP]

I have been out of NP school 1 year, I work for a neurosurgery grp. I work 4 days per week an average of 10-12 hrs per day, no call, no weekends and I make 85,000. I see pts in the clinic 1 day per week and the rest of my time is spent as a hospitalist.
I plan to ask for 100,000 when I redo my contract in a few months and I feel confident that I will get what I am asking.
When I finished school it was a HUGE pet peeve of mine that these practices are pulling in BIG bucks and throw their mid-level provider a few peanuts. A mid-level provider's pay should reflect the provider's pay. I agreed to work in the practice 6 months without a contract for 76,000, after the 6 months I told them we would talk. I worked my buns off demostrating my worth to the practice. I was the first NP in the practice. At the end of 6 months they did not blink an eye at my request for 85,000. I know my approach is not right for every situation. At the end of 6 months, I was ready to walk if they were unwilling to honor my request. I had decided that I would not allow myself the dishonor of being underpaid. This whole pay thing frustrates me, as I feel there is something wrong with a situation where the physician providers are making 800,000-1 million per year and the mid-level provider in the practice is making a 5 digit income. Okay, I'm off my soap box.

[EastCoast]

hi penny,
i recently joined a private practice for nepro. and work 4 days.
the 5th day is like just round in the hospital no office. the other 4 days are split 1/2 day office and then hospital. i picked up the practice of a physician who moved out of town.
i too am making about 84,000 with full benefits so i figure that adds another 10,000 to the base. however, when i renegoiate i plan to ask for a good increase too. i have given them way more than they bargined for and take full call. the only thing i don't do is round at the dialysis center. they're great to work for but when i figure the hours i put in (probably close to 60 hours weekly with call included) i have a good argument for more dough.
good luck to you.

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by EastCoast

"Of course, money isn't everything."

No...but it makes going to work every day a whole lot easier.

[salvati08]

Hello, so do you make more by working in a Doctors office type setting rather than working in a hospital. I ask because I am torn between going for the neonatal NP and working in a nicu or going for the family NP. Which is the money at? Not that it means everything I would just like to know. Thanks

[Dave ARNP]

The money is wherever you put it.
If you want it bad enough, any speciality will make it for you.

Dave

[EastCoast]

I liked hospital work alot. However, there was not a lot of room when needing a raise. You were confined by the beaurocrats and the fact that most hospitals are crying poverty. I also worked with PA"s. They didn't realize that the average nurse probably made near what we made on most days and got the shift diff and what not. After I left another PA resigned. Since then they have upped the pay.
I find that I might have more 'value' per se in private practice. THere is more opportunity to prove your value and that will mean easier bargining come the right time.

I found it was very hard for the nurse in me to talk money. It still gives me the willies.

Good luck to all

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by EastCoast

I also worked with PA"s. They didn't realize that the average nurse probably made near what we made on most days and got the shift diff and what not.

What effect, if any, do PA's have on NP salaries? Have they lowered NP salaries? And is this potentially the reason why NPs may not make as much as CRNA's?

[EastCoast]

that's an interesting question. it's funny the 2 PA's who had always been PA's were pretty happy with the salary. myself and the PA who had been an ICU nurse first felt that we were underpaid for the level of responsibility. so in effect perhaps employers consider the NP/PA interchangeable for salary issues.

[PennyNP]

I looked and listened to a lot of mid-level providers before taking my present job in a private practice. I believe that a private practice situation is most likely to provide for the best situation. In my situation, I work with the Board members(surgeons) everyday, they have a detailed look at how and what I am doing everyday. In my 23 years of nursing, all spent in a hospital, it is the first time I have had this type of contact with the Board. At the very least, they have some idea what I am talking about.
No offense intended for any PA and his/her role, I feel we should join together as mid-level providers, as they can more identify with my agenda over a bedside nurse. The money is doled out by he or she whom holds the power. PAs are, at least in my state governed by the medical board ie doctors. I believe this explains why that in many situations that an NP is paid less. In numerous situations that I am aware of the PA just completed school with no medical background and he/she is paid more than an NP with 20 years nursing of experience. I am often amazed at the lack of understanding about what an NP can do. A lot of people hear the word nurse( as in nurse practitioner) and lots of assumptions are made, and they hear the physician (as in Physisians Assistant) and assumptions are made. NPs often do not come out on top in this assumption game. I always introduce myself as a provider and after I explain my role I tell them that I am an NP.

[EastCoast]

Off the beaten path but...
my sister-in-law who is a nurse too constantly tells people...........
"my sister in law is an NP and she's just like a PA"

no matter how many millions of times i try to say "please..don't say that" she does.

in her mind a PA is held in a more 'respectful and responsible' light than an NP.

Had to get that off my chest. thanks.