[bobcat62]

I know of 1 np who makes 120,000 a year he works for a busy cv surgeon. I know of another np who last year made 100,000 who also works for a busy cv surgeon. I have a friend who is a pa and makes around 95,000. These are all exeptions to the rule however and when you take the hours they work it doesnt come out to much more than a staff nurse with a few years of experience makes. These guys are putting in 60-70 hrs a week easy. Most np's around here are making 55,000 to 75,000 depending on who you work for and what kind of hours you are willing to work.

[VickyRN]

Originally Posted by glascow

I live in Louisiana, and NPs make an avg of 70,000. The higher paid ones, around 100,000, work with CV surgeons or cardiologists and work hard! They make rounds on pts in the hospital, write orders, discharge, etc. They also take lots of call. I work night shift in SICU, when I need to call the MD for a problem, I am always connected to the NP, she will give me orders. The only time I get to talk to the surgeon is if he needs to bring the pt back to OR. The NPs in these position had been ICU nurses for a long time prior to becoming an NP. The MDs they work for already new them and respected them, I think this is probably why he gives them the responsibility. Also, I used to dread calling the MD in the middle of the night, they were always so rude! Now when I have a problem with a pt, I get to call and speak to one of my friends that I worked with for yrs., I love it!
Nurses working in MD office, not taking call or rounding in the hospitals, make about 60,000 in Louisiana.
Hope this helps.

This is an aside to this, but still relevant. In my neck of the woods, the cardiac doctors and cardiovascular surgeons are using ADN-RN's to do the above (NOT NP's). They make rounds for the doctors on the floor, fill in the progress note (the doctor signs it once they complete it), write orders (as "VO"), and these "nurse clinicians" (as they are called) are the ones the nurses call for orders or any changes in the patients (NOT the doctors). Scary, huh?

[Nicunurse_RN]

I think i know who you are talking about

[cgfnp]

Originally Posted by VickyRN

This is an aside to this, but still relevant. In my neck of the woods, the cardiac doctors and cardiovascular surgeons are using ADN-RN's to do the above (NOT NP's). They make rounds for the doctors on the floor, fill in the progress note (the doctor signs it once they complete it), write orders (as "VO"), and these "nurse clinicians" (as they are called) are the ones the nurses call for orders or any changes in the patients (NOT the doctors). Scary, huh?

Yikes...............

[lalaxton]

cfgnp,
I've seen this as well, I don't think these RN's realize what the risk is if they go outside their scope of practice. I know of one RN who was working this way and finally went back to graduate school for her NP when she figured how close she could be to losing her license!

[VickyRN]

Originally Posted by lalaxton

cfgnp,
I've seen this as well, I don't think these RN's realize what the risk is if they go outside their scope of practice. I know of one RN who was working this way and finally went back to graduate school for her NP when she figured how close she could be to losing her license!

What's even more disturbing is the risk to YOUR license as an RN working on the unit when one of these "Nurse Clinicians" barks an order to you. It's written as a "VO" but you know he/ she has had no immediate contact with the physician.

[cgfnp]

Originally Posted by VickyRN

What's even more disturbing is the risk to YOUR license as an RN working on the unit when one of these "Nurse Clinicians" barks an order to you. It's written as a "VO" but you know he/ she has had no immediate contact with the physician.

Exactly. I'd tell them to kiss my arse. Just asking you to risk your license by following an order a different RN took tells you how much they value you. They're willing to risk your career to save a few bucks. I'm having a hard time even grasping that that is going on...

[Ari RN]

Here in NYC, RN's with no experience get a starting salary of $60,000. I am shocked that NP's start at $70,000. I thought they got paid over $100,000.

[youngRNstudent]

Originally Posted by homeylu2004

RN's only need a minimum of an ASN, NP's need an MSN, You do the tuition math. I'm only speaking to those that feel becoming a NP will "guarantee" them a higher salary, if you're still doing work as a staff nurse, your NP title won't guarantee you anything but more student loans to repay. (Again that's only in certain areas)... while RN's are in high demand, there is NOT necessarrily a high demand for mid level practioner's. For example, try monster.com, select all states...... type in nuser- over 5,000 jobs across the country. Then type in nurse practioner- 18 jobs across the country.... doesnt take a brain suregeon to see there is not a high demand for that title.

In California most hospitals will pay your FULL tuition (or at least contribute over 50%) to get your MSN

[zrmorgan]

go to crna school....you will easily make six figs, and be an NP in most states.