NP Salaries Realistically and grades!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 1, 2008

I think we are all going to tell you that your salary as an NP is going to depend on a lot of things: the area of the country you are in, the institution, your years of experience, etc. etc. I live in Mass and I will be starting my first NP job next month, working in a hospital. My salary is going to be in the high 80s. Since I have only been an RN for 3 years, and this is my dream job (with great benefits, and is only a 10 min commute) I am very happy. So yes, salary is important, but don't forget other things too: job satisfaction, your work environment, the fit of you in your job, etc. Good luck. As for grades to get into NP schools, I think it depends too. I don't live in your area, but my NP school was very competitive. I only applied to it and not others, since I knew I wanted to go only there. I had a 3.97 GPA and scored well above the minimum GPA score they wanted. If you have very strong interviewing skills that will help you also. And solid references. Hope that helps.

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Jul 1, 2008

As far as the RNs you know who are making $35-50/hour, do you happen to know if they work per diem or weekend-option programs? Typically, RNs who work either of those options do get paid the higher hourly rate, but those positions also come with certain drawbacks such as no benefits in some institutions, having to work almost every weekend (12 hour shifts), and having to pick up the less desirable shifts such as evenings and nights. Typically, at least here in the NJ/PA area, a full-time RN who works only day shift (8 hour shifts) is not pulling in those hourly rates - maybe close to $35/hour with several years of experience, but typically that is not the norm.

I will tell you though, that my close friend who works the 3/4 weekend option-program (nights) and picks up several night shifts during the week at a per diem rate did make over $100K this past year. However, she worked her orifice off and barely saw her family.

As an NP in this area, one could easily make $80-100K depending upon the specialty - and that is with regular day shift hours, no weekends and no overtime (according to a few of my preceptors). Definitely much nicer than working 12-hour nights almost every weekend and several times during the week.

mom and nurse · Jul 1, 2008

My starting salary as a new RN 4 years ago was about 45,000...8 hour days and 8 hour evenings alternating days/evenings by weeks, I also worked every other weekend... and as anyone knows as an RN 8 hours sometimes stretches into 10 -12 hours...once I even worked a 16 hour shift (not really by choice....)I felt like this most days.... like I was in a battle.... but I also loved caring for folks... most days...:smiley_ab

I'm in a metropolitan area starting a job soon. the offer is $78,000 as a new NP. no evenings, no weekends, and Monday - Friday schedule...

As a previous poster said... it depends on where you live.

Joan Z · Jul 1, 2008

I agree, it depends on the location and the specialty. I am in a very remote and rural area and the starting salary for FNPs is in the 65-75K range, which comes to around $40/hour. This is no nights or weekends, no on call. To put this number in perspective the starting wage for an RN is around $20/hour.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 2, 2008

I live in central IL - starting wage for new RN is approx $18/hour. New APN $55 - $75. When I graduated with my CNS in 2006, I negotiated on the high end because I had 12 years exp as an RN.

ncaru01 · Jul 3, 2008

Wow I didn't expect so many answers so fast. I know their is great variablitiy as with an job. I just wanted to make sure it was possible to make a healthy salary. It would be hard to go to school 3 times as long as an RN and make less. The woman I know that makes 35 she has been a nurse for quite a while. I can't say I know of what hours she works. I think she works nights sometimes. I was suprised to see nurses make that much. I guess wanting to be a NP or a PA it just seems like masters degree should have a significantly greater earning power than an associates. Id like to be able to pull in 6 figures no matter what I do, I really enjoy school. Havent taken any nursing classes yet, so its hard to say what my gpa will be. Im sure it will be far from a 3.9 Thats really impressive. I just made the idea to switch to nursing so I don't have any personal knowledge of any of this, just what I can read. I apprciaite all the feedback and info.

What would various nurse practitioners make with say 5-10 years of experience?

Trauma Columnist · Jul 3, 2008

I live in central IL - in my large nephrology practice, we have 7 mid-levels, (3 FNPs, 3 PAs, 1 CNS - me). Even with >10 years exp, our PAs don't make 6 figures. However, our cost of living is much lower than say Chicago where I'm sure 6 figures after >10 years is the norm.

Much is relative to your living expenses.

SarasotaRN2b · Jul 4, 2008

I hate to say it but you are looking at just the $$$ of being a nurse. Are you an RN yet? In nursing school? Nursing is tough.

I think that as a nurse you have the ability to make a comfortable living, and being a career in demand you have the opportunity to increase your income by working overtime or per diem in other facilities. But more important (to me, anyway) is the working environment and doing what you enjoy. If you are going to be spending a major portion of your days working, let it be in an area where you are happy.

JDCitizen · Jul 4, 2008

Realistically what is a nurse practitioner going to make:

Depends on what part of the country your in.

Depends on your background.

Depends on your negotiating / presentation skills.

Depends on how bad they need you.

Depends on competition for the job.

Depends on the job.

I make close to six figures and have climbed the chain to get there. I have a 401K and a retirement fund. I don't work overtime, I don't work holidays and I am on call every 6th week (even then I usually don't get a call). My job is Monday - Friday and most of the time I am home by 3 or 4. When I have seen my last patient for the day and my paperwork is completed I say bye and go home.

I see my patients and order all the testing, medications, consults that I deem as necessary. If I want to spend over twenty minutes with a patient I can and do.. When I feel like the case meets criteria for my doctor to get involved I do that by writing the order or by getting up and going to the office next door.

Do I have the perfect job; nope. I am looking for skill advancement and am not getting it where I work. Sure I am learning a lot but some of the hands on things I could do if taught are just not being taught due to workplace constraints.

BChapp3182 · Jul 4, 2008

In south Florida I'm seeing jobs for new grads starting in the low $80k. That would be M-F in an office setting with no hospital calls. However, the cost of living here is very high. If your looking to make the big $$ CRNA's make 6 figures as do Nursing Informatics (computer programmers who are nurses). I think some of the executive/business positions also pay very well. As an FNP I think it's going to be real hard to make 6 figures without working 2 jobs. The job market in Texas seems awesome, great pay and low cost of living. I would move there if it were not for family here.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Jul 4, 2008

i am a new acute care np working for a cardiology practice... my base salary is $75k, but after being there 6 months, productivity is factored into my pay. after one year, i would expect, after seeing other mid-level's numbers in the corporation... that my pay will be close to or exceed 6 figures. after recently talking to some other nps and pas, i have come to realize that the corporation i work for is very pro-np and pro-pa. therefore, they compensate accordingly.