ACNP Compensation

[daddy2aprincess]

Hey Everyone,

I hope this finds everyone well!!

I have some questions with regards to NP compensation. I have applied to a couple of positions as an ACNP. I have many certifications such as my CCRN, CFRN, RNFA, TNCC, and all the AHA stuff! I have been a nurse for 15 years and have done everything a RN could do in the critical care realm.

I was offered a position outside a major metropolitan area with the specialty I am interested in with a compensation package that is quite reasonable. The metropolitan group sent me an offer $40/K less than the more rural area. How can there be this big of a discrepancy? The group in the metropolitan area offered me an amount that I can make as a RN, not to mention that I will be required to take call 1-2 weeks per month and that is part of my salary. Does any other ACNP's get compensated for call? What if we get called into surgery? Is there incentive for that?

Now here is the kicker. I am continuing my education to obtain my DNP and Post-Masters in Pediatric Acute Care. The group that came in less is close in proximity and affiliated with the children's hospital where I will be doing clinical, so there is that advantage and perk.

I guess here is the other dilemma. In the state where I will be practicing, NP's can practice independently and can bill for the 85% with CMS. How is it that a physician hospitalist's average salary is approximately $250/K, yet a NP Hospitalist is $95/K? Are NP's just taking what they can get?

Dr. Barkley made an excellent point during his review; Nursing and math don't mix. Honestly as a profession, we should really do our homework and not accept the first offer and know our worth. I'm not expecting big compensation as a new NP, but they should also realize that I bring extensive clinical experience and expertise to the table as well. Not to mention I have student loans to repay as well. I didn't do an additional three years of graduate school to make the same amount as a ADN (no offense....I started as an ADN)

Thoughts????

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Don't accept the job then - that's the only way salary offers will change. Many NPs argue the pros and cons and then accept the lower salary because of the "experience", or "supportive environment" etc... these things are very important, but so is adequate compensation, especially for your first NP job where pay raises come in as a % of your base.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I have to agree that you must negotiate or refuse the offer if you feel that the pay is inadequate. FYI, we get paid for calls where I work (1/2 of your hourly salary multiplied by the duration of call in hours and time and a half of your hourly salary multiplied by the duration of time in hours you had to come to the clinical setting. Some NP's and PA's in our setting earn a lot from being on call alone (particularly those who work in surgical specialties).