ACNP student inquiry about potential job offer

[Aymese]

I will be graduating in May 2012 from an ACNP program. Multiple times, I have been asked by 2 cardiologists from the same practice to join their group upon graduation. I've worked with them for several years since I have been in cath lab. They practice at 3 different hospitals and have expressed that their needs are to have someone to round on hospital patients, consults, ED admits, discharges, etc. I would be happy doing this.

Prior to hiring a new grad PA this summer, they had never had a mid-level. She has never worked with patients before. And I dont' want to say they are "complaining" about her progress. But one of the docs said it's going to be a really long process to get her independently working...like 6 months he said. Because of their patient volume, they are still planning on needing another mid-level. So...my questions are as follows:

1. How would you recommend I go about initiating the information-gathering process with them? SHould I just ask if we could arrange a time when we could sit down and discuss more specficially what each party is seeking? Being a staff RN, I have never been in a position to negotiate salary, benefits, job description, etc and it makes me kind of nervous to do this.

2. Being that a) they have worked with me as an RN b)will have 6 years of adult acute cardiac experience (CCL, CCU/transplant) by next summer, c) ACNP training w/2 elective CV subspecialization courses, do you feel that it would be within reason for me to expect a higher starting salary than their new PA? Of course, I have no idea what they are paying her, but I feel I have more qualifications. Do you recommend going in with some sort of salary expectation in my mind and seeing what they first propose and go from there?

3. Should I present a professional portfolio when I meet with them?

4. Although, I prefer to spend most of my time in the hospital. I want to make myself as appealing of a hire as possible by seeing office patients when needed, learning to do stress testing, procedures like cardioversions, etc. Any cardiac NPs suggest other roles, skills that I have not mentioned? Anything to be leery of?

Thank you for any input you might have to offer.

[coast2coast]

1. how would you recommend i go about initiating the information-gathering process with them? should i just ask if we could arrange a time when we could sit down and discuss more specficially what each party is seeking? being a staff rn, i have never been in a position to negotiate salary, benefits, job description, etc and it makes me kind of nervous to do this.

your approach sounds straightforward - go for it ! is there anyone from your program/preceptorships who could give you advice about salary and benefit packages ?

2. being that a) they have worked with me as an rn b)will have 6 years of adult acute cardiac experience (ccl, ccu/transplant) by next summer, c) acnp training w/2 elective cv subspecialization courses, do you feel that it would be within reason for me to expect a higher starting salary than their new pa? of course, i have no idea what they are paying her, but i feel i have more qualifications. do you recommend going in with some sort of salary expectation in my mind and seeing what they first propose and go from there?

this is a bit trickier. you probably do have more background than the pa, overall - but you are both starting out with 0 experience as a midlevel. if they are unwilling to change your base salary/hourly rate compared to the pa's, consider asking for better benefits, vacation time, ceu funds, etc.

if this is really what you want for your first position i wouldn't get too bogged down in you v. the pa. talk to them about an orientation. you are familiar with their practice but you are still a brand new np. you may discover that your orientation needs are much like the pa's and are not a reflection on how much other valuable experience you have had but on the work environment.

3. should i present a professional portfolio when i meet with them?

yes, absolutely. at the minimum, bring a few copies of a professional cv. if you've got a portfolio definitely include it. this may help with question #2 !

cardio is not my specialty, afraid i can't help w/ this one.

[Aymese]

coast2coast,

I really appreciate your response. Very helpful! I definitely want to have an orientation period, and I agree that maybe our needs might not differ too greatly. Maybe since they have never had a midlevel, and are hiring brand new ones at that, they possibly didn't realize the learning curve involved. Other than what we have covered regarding contract negotiation in our required readings from Buppert and APN texts, I have not discussed this issue with a professor. I will discuss with one of them and my current preceptor for additional advice on this matter. Thanks again!!

[mammac5]

Definitely have a number in your mind that you would settle for, but keep that to yourself of course. Do some research to find out what NPs are being paid in your area for this specialty. If you can't get numbers for your area, get as comparable as you can with size of city, size of hospital, specialty, etc. Also find out if it is customary in your area to be paid straight salary + benefits OR salary + benefits + bonus or percentage of billables. The more information you have going in, the better.

You should not be the first to bring up a number - let them propose an initial salary offer. They expect you to negotiate to a higher salary so don't be timid about doing so. Shoot for more than you would actually take the job for and you'll likely settle midway between their initial number and your "dream" number.

[Aymese]

Thank you mammac5 for your negotiation tips!! I will do my detective work and try to find out as much info before I go in. Thanks again, both of you!