FNP new grad and 1st job, red flags?

Specialties NP

Published

I have a few questions.

I graduated in Dec.07. and trying to find a job.

I have had a few problems, not many want to hire new grads in my area, its probably one of the few areas that is oversaturated (Colorado) with NP's. Other jobs want you to be fluent in Spanish.

So anyways, i have come to the conclusion that i have to move, fine. I am not stuck in this area but would be nice if i lived near family.

So i have been looking in Texas, FL, and recently found some openings in CA although i don't know anyone there.

My questions after a few interviews is this.

Just had 2 phone interviews for jobs in CA. The one expects a new grad to be seeing 25pts/day after ~1month. The other expects this by 90 days which is somewhat more reasonable.

I really have no idea what is normal to expect but it thought 25pts/day is something that you gradually work up to by 6months or so.

Right now I am overwehlmed with studying for the certification exam and that just FREAKS me out and i am not sure if that is a reasonable expectation or not?

Also i know salary shouldn't be the first priority, and its not for me. But the one job isn't offering much more than i am making now (esp.if you consider shift differential) but a much higher cost of living, in addition to loan repayment beginning soon.. don't think i will be able to accept that job, based on that fact alone.

The other job is offering (from what recruiter told me) what seems like awefully high salary, 86K plus if you see 25+pts/day they have $1000/month bonus.

Neither one would pay to fly me out for an interview though so I really need to consider

whether i should pay to fly out, plus being more expensive easter weekend.

Also If a job wants you to "hurry" should i be wary?

Because i have to give notice to my current job, pack up my stuff, find a place to live, apply for other state's license, and get approval to switch jobs from the government because i have loan repayment already, so i can't really "hurry".

thanks for tips

Neelia

I would not hurry for anyone. Take your time and find the perfect job for yourself. You are in charge. I don't know about the 25 patients since I am not yet in a primary practice situation. One of my positions involves DOT exams and I am expected to see 12 to 14 people in a 4 hour span every 15 to 20 minutes. It doesn't always work out that way.

Try not to " freak out about the exam. I studied for months, overstudied. If you have general knowledge you will be fine. Remember this test is for entry level practitioners.

Have you registered on some online job seach sites? I recommend indeed.com. You will get updates daily on the position you are looking for.

I searched for months before agreeing on 2 additional part time positions. Good Luck.

25 patients a day really isn't that much. It all depends on whether or not you are taking the urgent stuff like colds, coughs, etc. or are managing complicated patients with comorbidities, reviewing labs, consulted you doc, etc.

Chances are you could do 25 a day after a month. I saw 10-20 in family practice as a student and had to present every one of them. Probably could have done 25 if I could have just treated the OMs, streps, pneumonias, and rashes without presenting.

With regards to moving, they should be paying your moving expenses, period. I would not consider a job that doesn't. It will cost you close to 2 grand otherwise and you shouldn't have to spend a dime to get a new job.

Good luck.

Thank you guys, it is soo hard to know what to expect.

I also don't want to be pressured into a job. I also think that the job market is stable enough that i shouldn't have to rush. I understand that people need people to fill a position, and i really just think okay, then if it gets filled sooner than i can do it fine.

I explained to the one lady that i would have to fly out to CA, plus all the above, etc. take my exam 1-2week of April then move and hope to start by May.1st, and she kind of sighed, like she really wanted someone sooner. It is really causing me anxiety thinking about having to do all that i have to do sooner than that and makes me just want to not even work as a NP...

Re the exam: I have the fitzgerald cd's and have gone once through, starting a second round. I have her book, but i get so many questions wrong it worries me that i don't know enough...

i scheduled for 31.march but think i am going to reschedule for 1-2 weeks later.

thanks again I REALLY appreciate the responses!!!

Regarding job search. I think probably 10-20 recruiters have my resume or I have applied for jobs through them. I have looked in newspapers, most of the online sites.

I've applied for probably 50+ positions.

Maybe this will help others.

http://www.npworld.us/jobs/ ----> this site is VERY useful but i find it easier to receive the emails every day. They have many jobs all over the US and many recruiter sites listed.

http://www.healthjobsusa.com ---> i posted my resume on this site and had probably calls from 10 recruiters with 1-2 days. I've had more luck posting my resume here than anywhere else.

To new grads applying. Go ahead and apply for jobs that you may not qualify for. The market is tight in some areas and people are desperate for NPs. For example many jobs want spanish/english bilingual. I've applied and gotten calls/interview from a few and i don't speak spanish fluently.

My situation is a little unique in that I already have a loan repayment and have to work at a qualifying facility as well as being a new grad. Otherwise i would probably have a job already here in Colorado at a private practice.

Thanks again. HOPe these sites help.

Neelia

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I just wanted to wish you luck.

Specializes in ICU.
I would not hurry for anyone. Take your time and find the perfect job for yourself. You are in charge. I don't know about the 25 patients since I am not yet in a primary practice situation. One of my positions involves DOT exams and I am expected to see 12 to 14 people in a 4 hour span every 15 to 20 minutes. It doesn't always work out that way.

Try not to " freak out about the exam. I studied for months, overstudied. If you have general knowledge you will be fine. Remember this test is for entry level practitioners.

Have you registered on some online job seach sites? I recommend indeed.com. You will get updates daily on the position you are looking for.

I searched for months before agreeing on 2 additional part time positions. Good Luck.

Thanks for that website! I found quite a few good job listings in my area!

Same thanks goes out to emtneel. Great sites!

Any other recommendations on job sites specific to our field?

:loveya:

I am a new graduate PA. I soon will be starting at a large FP clinic and was told that I will be seeing around 25/day. Wide variety of pts from well child visits to complicated DM/HTN/COPDers. Try to have them pay for your license and DEA and CME money ~2k/year. Good luck on your search!

Thank you guys, it is soo hard to know what to expect.

I also don't want to be pressured into a job. I also think that the job market is stable enough that i shouldn't have to rush. I understand that people need people to fill a position, and i really just think okay, then if it gets filled sooner than i can do it fine.

I explained to the one lady that i would have to fly out to CA, plus all the above, etc. take my exam 1-2week of April then move and hope to start by May.1st, and she kind of sighed, like she really wanted someone sooner. It is really causing me anxiety thinking about having to do all that i have to do sooner than that and makes me just want to not even work as a NP...

Re the exam: I have the fitzgerald cd's and have gone once through, starting a second round. I have her book, but i get so many questions wrong it worries me that i don't know enough...

i scheduled for 31.march but think i am going to reschedule for 1-2 weeks later.

thanks again I REALLY appreciate the responses!!!

This probably isn't realistic. While I'm not current on NP licensure, it probably takes longer than a few weeks. According to the California web site first you have to have an active California license. You can check around here but I don't think that it is quick. I've been told on the PA side that the fingerprint side alone can take 2-4 months. Looking at the app it does appear that you can get a temporary license but that probably still takes time. This all assumes that you already have your certification (which seems to be necessary no matter what).

A final thought. How you are treated in the application process has a strong relevance to how you are treated in the job. This is a professional position with appropriate responsibilities. The job search should be conducted the same way. Asking the applicant to pay their way for an interview communicates that they are not acting in a professional manner. On my last job search the I had one organization that stated "they did not pay for plane fair for midlevels". To be fair I think that I was the first NPP that they had recruited from out of state. My reply was that while I was interested in the job, failure to pay for travel expenses showed a lack of commitment on their part. The recruiter sent a ticket the next day. I would not consider any interview that did not include all travel (plane, hotel, car etc.). Of course I haven't been a new grad for some time:D.

Good luck with the job search. The first job is the hardest. Especially with FP you are probably looking at a more rural underserved area.

David Carpenter, PA-C

David, thanks for your comments.

I am glad i posted, and i think to have gotten this far most of us, esp. nurses, know to trust our instinct and something just doesn't seem right with that job.

#1 she said she couldn't fly me out because she has gotten "burned" before, but i could stay at her place. (no offense, but I totally wouldn't want to stay at the interviewers place..)

#2 She said i could just practice with my CO license since i'm a new graduate. I'm pretty sure that is illegal, and no skin of her back if I lose "MY" license.

It really sucks that you have to really analyze and see what people are about.

She also didn't call at the scheduled time, after 30min i called the recruiter and told him i wouldn't be able to take the call if it was much later.

Then she talked real fast the whole interview like she was in a hurry.

Too many red flags if you ask me!

"My reply was that while I was interested in the job, failure to pay for travel expenses showed a lack of commitment on their part."

I'm going to use that comment in the future if i am really interested and they won't pay.

Thanks a lot guys.

Your comments from experience really help.

I also talked to a Surgery NP today where i work as a RN and she also said i shouldn't rush, and take my time.

Thanks

Neelia :D

David, thanks for your comments.

I am glad i posted, and i think to have gotten this far most of us, esp. nurses, know to trust our instinct and something just doesn't seem right with that job.

#1 she said she couldn't fly me out because she has gotten "burned" before, but i could stay at her place. (no offense, but I totally wouldn't want to stay at the interviewers place..)

#2 She said i could just practice with my CO license since i'm a new graduate. I'm pretty sure that is illegal, and no skin of her back if I lose "MY" license.

It really sucks that you have to really analyze and see what people are about.

She also didn't call at the scheduled time, after 30min i called the recruiter and told him i wouldn't be able to take the call if it was much later.

Then she talked real fast the whole interview like she was in a hurry.

Too many red flags if you ask me!

"My reply was that while I was interested in the job, failure to pay for travel expenses showed a lack of commitment on their part."

I'm going to use that comment in the future if i am really interested and they won't pay.

Thanks a lot guys.

Your comments from experience really help.

I also talked to a Surgery NP today where i work as a RN and she also said i shouldn't rush, and take my time.

Thanks

Neelia :D

The first job is always a mixed bag. I can't really speak for NPs but I know that for PAs in Colorado getting the first position is kind of hard. The RRCC grads usually have job offers right away but the CU students sometimes have a problem getting positions in Denver. Some take 5-6 months.

What I usually tell PA grads is the most important thing is to get a job. Criteria should include pay above the 25th% for the job (ie doesn't suck a lot) and no involvement in unethical or illegal acts. You have to go into this looking at it as a stepping stone. It may turn out to be long term, but for PAs once you have 1-2 years of experience you can get multiple job offers in many different areas. New grad NPs in Colorado have a bigger disadvantage because of prescriptive authority.

As a new grad I don't think that I would be hyper agressive in telling practices how they should do things. I can say certain things because I don't really care if I **** them off or not. A new grad doesn't necessarily have the same latitude. Having said that even as a new grad they should pay for your travel. With current prices it should be budgeted in for their search. You are probably talking about less than $500. The problem is that many of these clinics are not used to treating NPP recruitment the same as physician. This is the attitude that needs to be changed. In FP you also see a lot of "family run" practices where the wife or husband in the manager. Some of these need to be educated.

In the case that you were talking about this was probably a rural health clinic. These clinics have to have a PA or NP on the payroll. There are a number of older post on the PA forum about these clinics. Esentially they would hire a PA, pay the minimum with promises of big bonuses for patients seen. Then they would send all the patients to the MD so the PA would not be seeing patients and the clinic could still get the rural health payments which would go into the physicians pockets. Usually you can find these clinics by their frequent adds.

Good luck in the search.

David Carpenter, PA-C

I would be do your homework and decide what you can and cannot live with.

I'm in my first NP job and finding out a lot of nasty surprises like the pay for example, they really wanted me badly before graduation and I negotiated ok but not as well as I could've done. I have classmates with less RN experience and language skills making significantly more, some are still looking, so it's a crap shoot and I have to look at this like a stepping stone job. I do see about 24 patients a day, they gave me about 3 months to do it and it was something that I absolutely requested, at first they wouldn't and I simply said ok I'm not interested in applying for the position if you won't give me ramp up time.

Any place that has shady HR/Recruiting people I would stay away from, that is exactly how I got burned. Keep on looking and something better will probably come along!

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