Any advice for a new grad FNP's first job position?

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Hi there! Got an interview as a Field NP that is hybrid (remote/home visits). They accept new grads and from what I got from the recruiter, remote and field visits could vary each day. But I would be conducting preventative visits, post discharge visits, post partum visits, colorectal cancer screening, and diabetes care. Compensation 135k-145k annually (I live in California). Hours are either 4x10s (ONE Saturday per month) or 5x8 M-F. 18 days PTO with good benefits. I did ask if there was room for growth in which they said yes there would be some advancements. The only hesitance I have is that this won't be a primary care position in which I utilize the skills from nursing school and there won't be any prescribing or lab ordering/interpretation. I'm worried that this position wouldn't be beneficial for me in the future if I decide to search for an inpatient or a clinical position... Indeed job reviews also show that this job is pretty easy but can be mundane and management can be poor (taking this with a grain of salt).

Honestly, I do lack experience as well. I am a direct entry RN to NP with 1.5 years of RN experience. But I don't have inpatient experience because I did not want to do bedside nursing. I was able to land a remote RN position due to covid. Now I am a FNP new grad.. part of me wants to find a primary care position or speciality to utilize and practice my skills but with the lack of experience, it's been difficult landing a job. And it doesn't help that I have imposter syndrome as well.. Anyway would accepting this position put me more behind for the future or will it still allow me to have open doors to other positions? This hybrid position sounds appealing to me because it sounds low stress, decent pay, and do-able for a new grad. Just want it benefitting my resume for the future, since I feel like my RN remote covid position wasn't much "experience" to begin with. 

Hopefully I was able to clear on my concerns. Thank you SO much in advance!

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your guidance. I have actually been applying to NP positions through that list. The issue I'm running into is either they require a year of experience or a language that I do not speak. I've recently started working with a private Spanish tutor to better learn how to communicate. Hoping I'll be able to be proficient enough to assist Spanish speaking clients. Also, I have a mortgage and take care of my parents, so moving too far out may not be an option.  I have been looking upwards of 50 to 60 miles from my home, but still no response from these employers. 

It seems that I may just have take this position with my PMD and perhaps come back to county once I have enough experience!

Thank you again for your recommendations!

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
NazNaz said:

Hi there,

Thank you so much for your guidance. I have actually been applying to NP positions through that list. The issue I'm running into is either they require a year of experience or a language that I do not speak. I've recently started working with a private Spanish tutor to better learn how to communicate. Hoping I'll be able to be proficient enough to assist Spanish speaking clients. Also, I have a mortgage and take care of my parents, so moving too far out may not be an option.  I have been looking upwards of 50 to 60 miles from my home, but still no response from these employers. 

It seems that I may just have take this position with my PMD and perhaps come back to county once I have enough experience!

Thank you again for your recommendations!

I live in Bakersfield and have seen numerous FQHC openings that will accept new grads throughout the Central Valley.

It is very common in CA for people to work somewhere during the week and then commute home on weekends.  

If you want to start a new career, then sometimes some sacrifices are required.

HRSA also has virtual job fairs frequently - Google that and register to get an invite to the next one.  These are targeted at new grads.

Finally, if you are not getting responses to your applications, then your resume needs work.  I can't say how many times applicants tell me their resume is great, someone looked at it, then they send it to me and it needs a lot of work - bad formatting, mispellings, missing information, poor grammar, etc.  90% of the resumes I get are really bad.  (I am in charge of recruiting NPs for a large psych practice).  Frankly, someone with your background should not have trouble finding an FNP job.

As for Spanish, a lot of places say they want it, but good luck with that!  There are not that many bilingual NPs around.  So go ahead and apply.  If a practice has that many Spanish speaking pts, then they should pay for an interpretation service.  

As for the County, have you tried other counties?  Also, find out who is responsible for hiring NPs for the County and go talk to them directly.  Find out how you can be considered for an NP role with the county.

As for taking the NP job with your PMD, nothing wrong with that.  You need 1 year of NP experience and then no issues after that.

Good luck.

 

Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
NazNaz said:

Hi all,

New NP here as well. I've been having a heck of a time finding an NP position, with most places requiring at least 1 year of experience. I have almost 9 years of RN experience in ER/ICU and public health. Currently work in LA county as an RN, CA. This is the ideal setting I'd like work in, treating those in the underserved communities. Despite being a county employee I've had a difficult time securing a position with them or any of the community health centers. Recently my own PMD offered me a position at his private practice. The pay is fair, but I will have only whatever health benefits they offer. Essentially I'll lose all of the benefits I have at county. He has stated that he will assist me in my new role and seems very supportive. But I guess the fact that I'll lose the stability of the county, is making me nervous. Also not to mention my nerve are out of control thinking about whether I'm capable of living up to my PMD's standards. I guess I know I have to possibly sacrifice the job security and benefits of county for the experience. But I'm just so nervous about the move. I keep thinking what if I'm not good enough and all of a sudden I feel like I can't remember anything I've learned. 

I appreciate any insight from those with such similar experience. I guess I'm looking for reassurance as to whether this is a good move and how everyone handled their initial couple of months. Thanks in advance!

Naz

I would jump on that opportunity with your PMD if that was me. Seems he/she is willing to really support you and seems like a good learning experience and a potentially a good working environment. Unsure what benefits you are looking to keep, but always know that you can literally just fall back on an RN job if any NP position doesn't suit you. But if you really do want to be in the underserved community, definitely follow Full Glass's recommendation. One of my colleagues works at an FQHC somewhere in DTLA and she dreads it. Says the pay is awful, she is seeing way too many patients per hour, and takes home plenty of charting. She said she's mainly staying to get her pension and she's gonna leave when that comes up. Only one experience to share and of course not everyone has the same experience, but something to keep note of.

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts. I am on the NP list at the county, but it's very competitive. I'm still actively applying to any health center that has an open position, even if I have to drive out. 

I've had my resume reviewed by the director of my NP Program and they assisted with making sure it was well organized. I'm not sure if I need to just give it more time. But it seems that everyone around me also say I should take my PMD's offer, even if for a year. My only hope is that I can learn quickly and not make a complete fool of myself!

Thank you again for both of your input! I genuinely appreciate it!

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
NazNaz said:

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts. I am on the NP list at the county, but it's very competitive. I'm still actively applying to any health center that has an open position, even if I have to drive out. 

 

Another possibility is to work for the State, so you keep your benefits, esp retirement.  Colleges hire FNPs.  One of the job offers I got as a new grad was at a community college.  The pay was lower, but the benefits were great.  Work 8 hrs M-Th, 4 hours on Fri, 6 weeks of vacation, plus the school closed over Xmas holiday and part of the Summer!  The 4 year colleges are probably busier, so check out all the colleges.  In the Sacramento area, UC Davis pays great and also has great, state benefits plus a union.  Also check out the VA.  They also have an NP residency program, and I think there is a residency program in LA.

I say the most important criteria for your first job is to get good training and mentoring.  It sounds like your PMD would offer that.  

Good luck

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