New np beware

Jules A, MSN · Jul 11, 2017

Consider moving if necessary and don't be too picky - it's your first job, so you are not in a position to be too choosy.

Sigh, and this is only one of the reasons NPs work for subpar wages and have driven our rates down. I disagree and feel it is crucial to be selective and require appropriate wages for the level of responsibility in this profession.

shibaowner, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 12, 2017

I did not mean NPs should accept subpar wages, because I did not. I have a contract that starts me at $95K, then to 105K within 6 months with additional steps to $140K within 18 months. Decent benefits, relocation package, 4 day workweek (10 hour days), no overtime, no on call. If I had been able to take the job from my last clinical rotation, I would have started at $100K per year, plus an additional performance bonus. Both jobs are in locations with a reasonable cost of living. I also had several other opportunities I did not choose to pursue. I won a HRSA scholarship for my last 18 months of NP school, so I have a lot of constraints on where I can work, yet I still negotiated a good package for myself! However, I was willing to live in a rural area, and rent a place, but drive home on weekends (I own a home). Once I complete my 2 years of public service, I will be able to write my own ticket. I became an NP late in life as a second career; prior to this, I was a business executive and had to recruit and hire a lot of people. 1) All academic programs are not created equal. For the new grad, it does matter what school you went to. A new grad NP that went to UCLA, Yale, UCSF, Hopkins, etc. is going to attract more attention. Sorry, but life is not always fair. 2) I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a good resume. That is usually the first representation of you to a potential employer. Please put a lot of work into this and get it reviewed by someone with experience in your field. Some schools have career services, so take advantage of this if it is available to you. 3) Again, if you are not even getting calls for interviews, then your resume sucks! 4) If you are getting interviews, good. If you are not getting offers, then you may not be good at interviewing. This can be remedied with study and practice. 5) You must have a positive, enthusiastic attitude! I see so much negativity on this board. People can sense when you are negative or not. 6) When I say don't be too picky for your first job, I mean be flexible. I hear so many new grad NPs who only want to work in a certain location, or in a certain specialty, or so forth. I would focus on locations and specialties where there are not enough candidates! 7) In business, there is a rule of thumb: your job search will take one month per $10K of income. So it does take longer to get a higher paying job, in general. 8) Learn to negotiate your salary and compensation package. Your salary should be based on the value your bring to the practice, so learn about billing rates, going salaries in your area. etc. You can also negotiate "steps," so maybe first 6 months to one year you make less because you are a new grad, etc., but then salary goes up. You can also ask about performance bonus. Personally, I never got a negative reaction when I said, "My understanding is that new grads in this location, make ____. In addition, this job is in a specialty so there is a salary premium. Therefore, I expect _____ compensation." You can also talk numbers: "Once I am up to speed, I will be seeing 15 patients per day, which is $_____ per year in revenue. Therefore, I expect to make ______." (Note: take the billing rate or hourly pay and multiple by 2000 to get rough annual figure. Finally, focus on networking, networking, networking (acquaintances, professors, alumni, LinkedIn, etc). Also make sure to hit all the NP job boards, as well as NP recruiters. Good luck!

nilee1 · Oct 23, 2017

Excellent advice