NP residency "bust or must"

Specialties NP

Published

Hello. Soon to be recent graduate here looking to see what others think about NP residency programs. Is it the right career move? I would imagine this sort of "guided" post graduate experience would make you look good to future employers and also help transition into the clinical setting but the few I have found in my area are asking that the applicant be willing to stay with the site after residency which I found strange. Also, what about compensation. Many say that is it "competitive" but is that true? So far I have found the programs to be highly competitive but is that because they are so sought after so because so few and far in between? Has anyone here done residency post graduation and loved it/hated it? Thanks

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would want to know the purpose of the residency program?

Is it to learn more about a certain specialty? Or is it to provide cheap labor to a hospital?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide

Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP

8 Articles; 4,361 Posts

Specializes in APRN, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I work for an institution that offers an ACNP fellowship in critical care and surgery. It is structured and organized as well as supported by physician and university leadership. There is a plan to expand the program to more than one fellow a year so as it is there are many applicants for one slot. However, I've known candidates who backed out because of the lower salary (can be less than RN pay depending on where you are on the scale). The benefits are that the fellow is fully credentialed as a provider, gets to experience a range of specialties and departments in acute care, and in the end, can have multiple offers of employment within the institution if they decide to stay. There is no commitment to stay, however.

Goldenfox

303 Posts

My observation of these types of programs is that they typically underpay you, overwork you, and require that you either sign a binding contract that obligates you to them or a non-compete clause. "Competitive" pay usually means that they intend to low ball you as much as they think that they can get away with. My thinking is that if you get low-ball pay for the duration of the residency then that should allow you the option to walk at the end if you chose to. If the pay is reasonable and you don't mind working there for a while after you finish then fine. If not, forget it. If there is a specialty area that you want to work in, apply to specialist groups who are willing to train you: same thing, but usually better pay.

AAC.271

110 Posts

What is average pay? Will you get paid more than medical residents?

Specializes in Critical Care.

I would like to see more responses to this topic. Don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm particularly interested in CRNA post graduation and licensure transition into practice.

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@cardiac dork - we had a large CRNA program in my area (Bradley University, Peoria, IL) and when I worked with CRNAs from that program, there was no local residency required. There was orientation once offered a job however.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide

Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP

8 Articles; 4,361 Posts

Specializes in APRN, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I would like to see more responses to this topic. Don't mean to hijack the thread but I'm particularly interested in CRNA post graduation and licensure transition into practice.

I've only seen Advanced Pain Management Fellowships for CRNA's. This one by TCU is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Is that something you might be interested in? [h=4][/h]

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