Job differences from Primary to Acute Care

Specialties NP

Published

I am considering pediatric primary and acute care, torn between the two. I understand both, enjoy both, just trying to make my decision. One thing that has stood out to me which I don't no if it is true or not, but everyone keeps telling me PNPs make the same as RN's and they say ACPNP's make a lot more.

Is that true? The whole NP degree is sort of scaring me because I keep talking to people I work with who say, ohh my friend just graduated an is barley making more than RNs, two FNPs said they make in the 60s.. which IMO is terrible; im a newer RN and make just under that.

Im about an hour from philly pa.

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Hi Npcout,

I'm in the same boat as you, except I'm torn between AGNP and FNP. So scared to make the wrong decision and not get a job when all is said and done. I'm not to sure about the salary differences between PNP and ACPNP, just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain. Everyone has been so nice on this site so I'm sure you'll get some answers. I'm in the same area as you as well. Where are you applying to schools?

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I believe that offers a duel option for both primary and acute care pediatric np. And Drexel is in Philadelphia, so that even though it is mostly online, you'd have no problem getting there for the on-campus parts.

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

Hello, i did pediatric primary care and I'm a couple weeks into my new job. I was offered a hospitalist position at a pediatric hospital. I turned it down because i do prefer primary care. The hospitalist position did offer more money as i expected because its an acute care setting,it requires nights shifts, 24 hr shifts etc. I don't know what area outside of Philly you live in, but i am making way more than i did as a RN, working in primary care. And i 've been a RN for 8 years. As an ACPNP chances are you will be making more money than Primary care PNP, depending on setting and location. However, the statement that PNP-PCs make the same as RNs is false, at least my in case. I also have FNP friends that took accepted positions that are starting out way higher that 60,000. I live about 20 mins outside of the city. If you love both i think you should get the dual degree...good luck! Also research how much new grad PNPs make in your area if you plan on staying there after graduation.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I think people often are comparing the starting salary of an NP (new grad) with that of an experienced RN and saying Oh, the NP only makes a little more. That may be true, but the NP salary has no where to go but up, and the RN salary is maxed out. Yes, there are some experienced RNs, or some who do alot of overtime who might make more than particular NPs in certain regions or whatever, but the national averages of the two jobs based on both BLS statistics and salary surveys I've seen, the NP makes significantly more than RNs. I would trust salary survey or BLS salary data over anecdotal information, for general data on salaries. Now if your asking about information about a specific employer, then that would be different.

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I think people often are comparing the starting salary of an NP (new grad) with that of an experienced RN and saying Oh, the NP only makes a little more. That may be true, but the NP salary has no where to go but up, and the RN salary is maxed out. Yes, there are some experienced RNs, or some who do alot of overtime who might make more than particular NPs in certain regions or whatever, but the national averages of the two jobs based on both BLS statistics and salary surveys I've seen, the NP makes significantly more than RNs. I would trust salary survey or BLS salary data over anecdotal information, for general data on salaries. Now if your asking about information about a specific employer, then that would be different.

As a new nurse I made more than NPs, why? OT. I can rack it up while most NPs are salary based unless they moonlight

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
The whole NP degree is sort of scaring me because I keep talking to people I work with who say ohh my friend just graduated an is barley making more than RNs, two FNPs said they make in the 60s.. which IMO is terrible; im a newer RN and make just under that. [/quote']

The NP role offers much more than just salary so it is hard to use that as a sole barometer of your ultimate satisfaction, but I will do my best to talk just about that...

First and foremost, those NPs making $60k outside of Philadelphia are either grossly underpaid, getting substantial tuition reimbursement, or they have a base salary plus a performance bonus. To put it in perspective the average NP salary in Philidelphia is $96k compared to RN salary which is $67k. These are both similar to the national average.

Now experienced RNs can make considerably more than the $67k, especially with overtime. Experienced NP can also make considerably more without overtime with productivity bonuses. If an NP wants to work a little extra for some

spending money, retail clinics pay in the low $50/hr range.

In my first year of practice I took home over $150k without working any overtime, nights, or weekends. That's plenty good compensation for the expanded role that I love.

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