Published Aug 26, 2011
lynn5707
49 Posts
Hi,
I am currently a staff RN on an oncology unit and going to school for my adult NP. I have wanted to stay in oncology. Well, today, one of the oncologists said he wanted to talk with me about starting to work for them as an RN, with the NP's overseeing me (I graduate in May 2013), within my scope of practice now, so when I graduate in 2013 I will be about ready to go in the NP role. He said he would help support me with my studies, etc, of course I would be paid. I am so excited, but when we meet I am not sure what to ask him. A NP that works for him said to let him know what is important to me as far as hours, responsibilities, etc. I have never negotiated anything. What is a good way to do this? I have been a nurse for 20 years, currently my hourly rate is $34/hour.
Right now I'm working 2 - 12 hour shifts per week, and pick up extra when I can. I am not really interested in working 40 hours per week, but maybe 3 - 10's if that would be possible???
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Lynn
carachel2
1,116 Posts
This type of situation is what we were always told to avoid. I can't see how training as an office RN is going to remotely help you as an NP ?
I believe his idea would be that I would work as much as I could as an NP, but not write orders, scripts, etc. I would also be able to learn more about oncology. Why would this be something to avoid???
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
88 Articles; 21,268 Posts
This is fraught with over-running your current RN scope of practice.
You can't really DO any NP duties as an RN without getting into lots of trouble.
I would vote no on this situation.
An APN does much more than write scripts, and order tests. Many times I discuss treatment options from the APN viewpoint. I would never have had these conversations (even if I one the options) as an RN.
Personally, I don't see how this is going to benefit the practice if you are working as an NP when you are an RN. Just too easy to cross the scope of practice line.
Even though the idea would be to help me learn to work as an NP, he made it very clear that I would not do anything that is outside my normal scope of practice.
I will be meeting with him next week to see what exactly they are looking for. His practice is one that I was wanting to work at possibly when I graduate, so I was pretty flattered that he approached me.
coast2coast
379 Posts
Could he precept you during your NP program ? That way you would be learning and working at the NP level and it would be appropriate b/c your status would be that of a student and not an RN.
In my programs, you couldn't be paid for clinical time.
If I do start working for this group, I would not be able to do my clinicals with them. I will know more after I talk with him this coming week. He did say that I would not be able to do anything outside of my current scope of practice, but that he wanted to hire me to work for him so I could learn more. Like I said previously, his practice was one that I wanted to work for as the docs and other nurses are very nice. He also told me that one of his NP's started as a student in their practice, and another NP was hired as a new RN, and went back to school while working there and became a NP. I don't think they are trying to do anything to put me or them in jeopardy. I was told earlier this year that the doctor wanted to hire me. I really don't see what the difference would be in working for him, or working on the floor while I am going to school.
Thanks for all the input. I will let you know how the meeting goes.
Its very easy to cross the line, that's all I'm (and others) are saying.
We do sincerely wish you the best.
I wasn't clear in my first post. I meant the OP should work elsewhere and rotate through the oncology clinic as an unpaid NP student. She would learn the specialty and work (supervised of course) at an NP level without putting her RN license at risk.
Thank you all.
I am not sure I want to do this after reading everyone's post & I don't want to limit myself during clinicals. I want to be able to experience as many things as I can and not be obligated to one place at this time. (I would be limiting myself by committing myself early on and I don't think that is a good idea.)
Anyway, thanks again for all the honesty, etc. I do appreciate it.