NP Salaries Realistically and grades!

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I was going to go into physical therapy then decided to go for a physicians assistant masters and decided nursing and becoming a NP was a safer route. I've been reading all I can and I honestly havent gotten many clear answers. First off realistically what is a nurse practitioner going to make, can anyone give me some examples not from a salary website? According to them a NP gets paid more but the average salary for a rn is like 45k and I know of a few people as an RN that make 35 an hour and I have read some forums people making 50. Of course this isnt the standard however there is obviously some great fluxuation in salaries. Salary isnt my only driving force however I dont want to go from being able to well over 100k with over time to 80k by getting 4 more years of schooling.

I tried looking at job listings but few offer a salary, so what can I expect to make 5-10 years down the road as a adult NP? Also what kinda of grades does it take to get in to a well known school. I assumed I would get my NP from university of pittsburgh. Again I have seen generic answers like you much have a 3.0 yadda yadda. Thats how Physical therapy was and people got turned down with a 3.6 and club memberships and all that.

It would really be helpful for someone to lend some insight thats been there done that, talked to people that got in or went through the experience theirselves.

Thanks so much.

I'm curious, do you work with any hospitalist NPs in your department? I think that type of position exists, and the type of NP certification required would depend on the individual state BON regulations.

I know nothing about this from the adult side, but I know if I loved my job as a NICU nurse the way you love yours (I don't, alas) I would definitely go for the Neonatal NP, as they work our hours, perform procedures/run codes/etc.

I assume that an analogous NP position exists on the adult side, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in here.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

My question is are their high adrenaline, odd shift type NP jobs out there? My main goal in becoming an NP would be for greater autonomy but I want to keep working with the patient population I do now, or a similar high acuity type of patient. Any suggestions out there for the type of NP program might suit me and or the type of NP job that might be suitable?

Thank in advance.

I don't know where you live but I've practiced in two states now and have pretty much stayed in the critical care area as an NP. When I was in Michigan, I worked in two different ICU's. One was a 16-bed Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit where the NP's managed fresh post-op patients (CABG, valves, VAD's, transplants, aortic aneurysms/dissections) who are intubated and had Swan-Ganz catheters and vasoactive drips. The other ICU was a "closed model" Medical-Surgical ICU in a community hospital setting. We also did invasive procedures such as triple lumen cath's, arterial lines, and chest tubes. I now work in California for a critical care service where a group of NP's cover a Med-Surg ICU, a Neuro ICU, and loosely cover a Cardiac ICU. I've spoken to other NP's in other states (Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania) who have a similar ICU role.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I'm curious, do you work with any hospitalist NPs in your department? I think that type of position exists, and the type of NP certification required would depend on the individual state BON regulations.

*** Our hospital has a ton of hospitalists, including some NPs but they don't see patients in the ICUs, except maybe if they come to see a patient that is being transferred to the floor. They certainly do not manage patients in the ICU.

We have two PA intensivists but no NP intensivists.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I don't know where you live but I've practiced in two states now and have pretty much stayed in the critical care area as an NP. When I was in Michigan, I worked in two different ICU's. One was a 16-bed Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit where the NP's managed fresh post-op patients (CABG, valves, VAD's, transplants, aortic aneurysms/dissections) who are intubated and had Swan-Ganz catheters and vasoactive drips. The other ICU was a "closed model" Medical-Surgical ICU in a community hospital setting. We also did invasive procedures such as triple lumen cath's, arterial lines, and chest tubes. I now work in California for a critical care service where a group of NP's cover a Med-Surg ICU, a Neuro ICU, and loosely cover a Cardiac ICU. I've spoken to other NP's in other states (Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania) who have a similar ICU role.

*** I live in Wisconsin at the moment. What you do sounds right up my alley. Do you work scheduled shifts? What type of NP program did you attend? Are there any NP programs you know of that would better prepare an NP for managing intensive care patients? Do you make more as an NP than you did as a RN?

Thanks for answering my questions.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
*** I live in Wisconsin at the moment. What you do sounds right up my alley. Do you work scheduled shifts? What type of NP program did you attend? Are there any NP programs you know of that would better prepare an NP for managing intensive care patients? Do you make more as an NP than you did as a RN?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Rotating three 12-hour shifts a week, overtime for anything over 36 hours/week, holiday pay, shift differentials.

I finished an ACNP program. That's the only program that covers critical care of adults.

I'm in the Bay Area where the cost of living is ridiculous but I'm making mid 100K for base pay. When I started in Michigan as an ICU NP, I made around 80K base pay, prior to that as an RN, I made around 50K without overtime.

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Hi, Would like some imput from the NP's out there and would like info on what new educationr requirement which might be on the horizon.

I am a non-traditional student (52). I have been accepted into Medical School and to Nursing School. I have many hours so my trek to my RN and BSN will be a little less than 3 years. The nursing school I would be going to has a FNP program, so assuming I got in after my BSN, I would get my FNP in 18 months. So a total of 4 1/2 yrs (on low end for an FNP). I can get my MD in 4 years, and be making $$ as a resident then. I want to have my own clinic (whether NP or MD). I certainly would rather be an MD to make my own decisions all the way around. But everyone keeps pushing for the NP. Any input from NP if you had to do it all over again? ALSO- I have just heard that shortly, possibly 2014, that all advanced nurse programs (NP, PA, etc) were going to be required to get a doctorate before they can actually "practice". This would add another 2 to 2 1/2 years on to the 4 1/2 years for the FNP program. Does anyone know if this is correct? This is a huge change if this is true. Is there any difference in a NP and an FNP? Thanks for any input and thoughts!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Hi, Would like some imput from the NP's out there and would like info on what new educationr requirement which might be on the horizon.

I am a non-traditional student (52). I have been accepted into Medical School and to Nursing School. I have many hours so my trek to my RN and BSN will be a little less than 3 years. The nursing school I would be going to has a FNP program, so assuming I got in after my BSN, I would get my FNP in 18 months. So a total of 4 1/2 yrs (on low end for an FNP). I can get my MD in 4 years, and be making $$ as a resident then.

*** The residents at my hospital make considerably less than the RNs. Around $50-60K. Of course their income goes up a lot when the graduate from residency.

I want to have my own clinic (whether NP or MD). I certainly would rather be an MD to make my own decisions all the way around. But everyone keeps pushing for the NP. Any input from NP if you had to do it all over again? ALSO- I have just heard that shortly, possibly 2014, that all advanced nurse programs (NP, PA, etc) were going to be required to get a doctorate before they can actually "practice".

*** FYI a PA is not an advanced practice nurse in any way shape or form. The doctorate to practice is a proposal, not a fact. Proposed by the same people who have been proposing making the entry degree to nursing a BSN for years and years.

This would add another 2 to 2 1/2 years on to the 4 1/2 years for the FNP program. Does anyone know if this is correct? This is a huge change if this is true. Is there any difference in a NP and an FNP? Thanks for any input and thoughts

*** Only you can decide what is best for you but I would go for the MD myself. Most FNP programs will want to have work experience as an RN before you apply. that may well extend the time it takes you. A FNP is a family nurse practitioner. One type of NP. There are other types like acute care NP, pediatric NP, adult NP etc.

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As someone who worked in a family practice residency clinic prior to going back to school for an MSN, residents don't actually make any money. One slow day the chief resident and I sat down to figure out how much $$$ she was making. By the time we figured in the crazy number of hours she worked, she was making just over $7 hour. She and her husband (also a resident) had children and so they had a full-time nanny, a weekend nanny, and had to keep someone around for back-up just in case either of them were unavailable when needed. Needless to say, they were still living off student loan money and are currently in debt up to their eyeballs! He ended up taking an ER job to make more money so they can pay loans...he wanted to do primary care but they can't afford for both of them to do that!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.
Hi, Would like some imput from the NP's out there and would like info on what new educationr requirement which might be on the horizon.

I am a non-traditional student (52). I have been accepted into Medical School and to Nursing School. I have many hours so my trek to my RN and BSN will be a little less than 3 years. The nursing school I would be going to has a FNP program, so assuming I got in after my BSN, I would get my FNP in 18 months. So a total of 4 1/2 yrs (on low end for an FNP). I can get my MD in 4 years, and be making $$ as a resident then. I want to have my own clinic (whether NP or MD). I certainly would rather be an MD to make my own decisions all the way around. But everyone keeps pushing for the NP. Any input from NP if you had to do it all over again? ALSO- I have just heard that shortly, possibly 2014, that all advanced nurse programs (NP, PA, etc) were going to be required to get a doctorate before they can actually "practice". This would add another 2 to 2 1/2 years on to the 4 1/2 years for the FNP program. Does anyone know if this is correct? This is a huge change if this is true. Is there any difference in a NP and an FNP? Thanks for any input and thoughts!

Since when is NP school 4 1/2 years? If your talking doing part time that slow, the DNP would probably add more time than that. Many schools have a limHattiehat it can take no longer than 5 years part time.

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*** The residents at my hospital make considerably less than the RNs. Around $50-60K. Of course their income goes up a lot when the graduate from residency.

*** FYI a PA is not an advanced practice nurse in any way shape or form. The doctorate to practice is a proposal, not a fact. Proposed by the same people who have been proposing making the entry degree to nursing a BSN for years and years.

*** Only you can decide what is best for you but I would go for the MD myself. Most FNP programs will want to have work experience as an RN before you apply. that may well extend the time it takes you. A FNP is a family nurse practitioner. One type of NP. There are other types like acute care NP, pediatric NP, adult NP etc.

I agree... go to med school. Being over 50 though should play into your decision. It is hard for a 20 something to do the hours (80/wk) that a resident has to. Once you bump that up to 50 it is much harder.

Residents do not make good money at all. Universally they make less than the RNs- and that is while working more than 2x the hours that a nurse does. Unless you are in San Fran, Manhattan or Boston (ie the most expensive cities in the country) you don't make more than 50K/year as a resident. Generally residents make 40-50 based on location and years worked.

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Hi, Would like some imput from the NP's out there and would like info on what new educationr requirement which might be on the horizon.

I am a non-traditional student (52). I have been accepted into Medical School and to Nursing School. I have many hours so my trek to my RN and BSN will be a little less than 3 years. The nursing school I would be going to has a FNP program, so assuming I got in after my BSN, I would get my FNP in 18 months. So a total of 4 1/2 yrs (on low end for an FNP). I can get my MD in 4 years, and be making $$ as a resident then. I want to have my own clinic (whether NP or MD). I certainly would rather be an MD to make my own decisions all the way around. But everyone keeps pushing for the NP. Any input from NP if you had to do it all over again? ALSO- I have just heard that shortly, possibly 2014, that all advanced nurse programs (NP, PA, etc) were going to be required to get a doctorate before they can actually "practice". This would add another 2 to 2 1/2 years on to the 4 1/2 years for the FNP program. Does anyone know if this is correct? This is a huge change if this is true. Is there any difference in a NP and an FNP? Thanks for any input and thoughts!

So, you've already been accepted to Med school? MCAT and all done all of the pre-reqs? If so MD hands down......seeing that you don't have a BSN I don't see how that's possible? Explain?

4 years Pre-Med 3.4-3.5 GPA, 32 MCAT, will get you in Med school then 4 years Med school, then 3 years residency!!

NP timeline sounds about right.

Studentdoctorforum.net for good MD school info and non traditional student info. My wife was close NP or MD wanted MD so bad, but we just couldn't swing it......so NP it is.

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