jobless new grad NP

Trauma Columnist · May 16, 2009

Depends on your state practice act. And...as I have learned painfully, the AMA and some MDs are in the good ole boy's network and won't refer pts to you if you aren't affiliated with an MD.

That is very dependent on your area of the country though.

allnurses Guide · May 16, 2009

Another place to try is your state's Dept. of Unemployment website. My state had a ton of NP jobs listed there, and it's how I found the position I just accepted.

Good luck!

mwboswell · May 17, 2009

I think that you can't go to grad school and think of it as a "junior college". You MUST go into grad school realizing that the option of moving/relocating for a professional job of this degree is a distinct possibility. Remember, everybody else going to grad school with you is probably thinking the same thing "local job". As well as the 2 or 3 classes that graduated before you. That means you go into the program with the local market being saturated already.

I would say to people considering entering grad school (NP school), that if you can't move when done, then don't go.

Physician's don't go to their hometown univerisity and then do a residency and then get a job locally. Nope, most are transplanted from whence they began. Is there any reason to suggest that we should be any different - I don't think so.

-MB

nurselele05 · May 17, 2009

People choose to be NPs for different reasons and have lived much different lives than MDs before they complete thier education. For many MDs they enter thier career at a different point in life most in their early 20-30s with the expectation that moving goes with their career path. For many of my classmates who are well established in thier lives moving would mean moving thier teenagers to a new school, expecting a spouse to get a new job and buying a new home at the ripe age of 40-50 y/o. Lets get real NPs don't go to school to move around the country and chase a dream job most of us have a life already established and we are enhancing our personal career aspirations. Moving does not fit into the picture. For some people who are unattached to spouse and or kids relocation is a reasonable consideration.

Not to mention if we were going to be making 100-300k i would have a different perspective on moving cross country but for the money we make its not worth the trouble to relocate.

mwboswell · May 17, 2009

People choose to be NPs for different reasons and have lived much different lives than MDs before they complete thier education. For many MDs they enter thier career at a different point in life most in their early 20-30s with the expectation that moving goes with their career path. For many of my classmates who are well established in thier lives moving would mean moving thier teenagers to a new school, expecting a spouse to get a new job and buying a new home at the ripe age of 40-50 y/o. Lets get real NPs don't go to school to move around the country and chase a dream job most of us have a life already established and we are enhancing our personal career aspirations. Moving does not fit into the picture. For some people who are unattached to spouse and or kids relocation is a reasonable consideration.
Not to mention if we were going to be making 100-300k i would have a different perspective on moving cross country but for the money we make its not worth the trouble to relocate.

That's my point exactly.

Too many people have these "pipe dreams" of what job they will have after grad school only to be dismayed that they have to take "whatever is out there" and that it's not what they wanted.

I also have issue with some of the university's over-saturating local job markets.

But, I stand firm that this level of education is not an extension of "community college", it's a higher professional level and employment that is satisfactory both professionally, personally and financially is probably not in the backyard of the University.

-MB

Sheri FNP-C · May 18, 2009

i read every now and then people talk about opening a private practice as an np, what are the chances of getting patients (referrals) as an np, because personally, i would rather have an md instead of fnp as my pcp (no offence here), and if many people think like me, i am just curious as to how an np would stay afloat.

jean36 have you ever seen an np? choosing a health care provider based solely upon the letters after their name is a mistake. typically nps take more time to listen and get to know their patients. it is hard to diagnose anyone regardless of your credentials and expertise if you don't take the time to do a thorough history and physical.

in my town a couple of nps opened a private practice. they have grown to 4 nps and have a long wait for new patients to get in. this is because they worked under an md for some years and became respected professionals in the community. when they left, literally thousands of patients left the medical center to follow them to their private practice, desiring the quality care they received from their np not the mds left behind. several months later, the medical center had lay-offs purportedly due to the revenue lost when these 2 nps left.

so jean, i wish you well as you see your md...however i challenge you to time how he/she is actually physically and mentally with you during the appointment. with that information you may question if, even without going to medical school, a np could provide you with equal or even better care.

Trauma Columnist · May 18, 2009

To address the moving situation: I have lived in four countries, many different states, many, many houses and apartments. I went to APN school in mid-40's and nope I don't have any plans to move. However, I did plan my course of study to adequately reflect multiple options: APN, Educator, management, case management. That is what gives the APN the advantage.

As to choosing your provider by the alphabet soup after the name: reputation is what convinces me.

Gator FNP · May 19, 2009

What are you doing in this area? One of my positions as an RN was working with interventional radiologists, I found it interesting.

nurselele05 · Jun 3, 2009

i have landed the job of my dreams with a private practice oncologist. i am very excited about my new career

msmith · Jun 3, 2009

nurselele05,

Congratulations to you! That is so exciting! When do you start? It's really tough to land a great job in this difficult market. How did you find out about the position?

I will be graduating next month and have been searching for a job. It doesn't look promising right now, although I do have an interview this coming monday with a private cardiology group. I had sent my resume last week and they confirmed they received it on saturday and called me on monday for an interview. They do seem interested so hopefully, something will pan out.

I wish you the best in your new NP job!

shortlittleRN · Jun 4, 2009

i have landed the job of my dreams with a private practice oncologist. i am very excited about my new career

That is wonderful. I'm starting my clinical rotation in FNP this fall, with the plan of focus in oncology when I graduate. But that won't be for another 2 years. Hopefully by then, the economy will pick up. Congratulations!

allnurses Guide · Jun 4, 2009

Congrats on your new job!!! I'm so happy for you!