Dermatology vs Retail Health????

[MedVision]

What would you choose.........

I was working 2 part time jobs, 1 as a NP in dermatology and one as a NP in a small family practice. In an attempt to get fulltime benefits (medical insurance, etc) I secured a job offer in the retail health setting. The dermatology practice then countered that offer and asked me to come on board fulltime with benefits. I've always been interested in dermatology and medical aesthetics. The only major issue is the pay is over $10000 less compared to retail health. Would love to hear feedback from experienced NPs. I'm leaning more towards the derm position as a long term investment in my career and job satisfaction but can't help but consider the extra money after being a broke student for so long. Any thoughts??!

[SlyFoxRN, BSN, RN]

If you think you can be happy and secure financially with the 10K less pay, do the dermatology.

If you feel you would be happier with the extra 10K, go into retail health and then move on to dermatology or something later once you've had experience and can get salary offers equal to the retail health position.

I'd say, for me, I'd pick the retail health - taking a low salary now can hurt you for the rest of your career (future employers base salary offers on previous salary). If you take the higher salary now, in a few years when you leave retail health, employers will match/exceed your retail health salary. They'll see you're worth more.

Too many NPs take lower salaries and it's driving down the overall salary for NPs. I used to see starting salaries in the 80K minimum, now I see mostly 60K. It's sad, and it's because too many NPs take the first offer without countering.

[erin.tolbert]

I would go for whichever field you are more interested in long-term. Overall, as far as national average salaries are concerned, NPs working in dermatology earn more than retail health NPs. If you have a dermatology clinic willing to give you your first job in this specialty and are interested in derm for your career, choose dermatology. Then, once you have more experience you can negotiate a higher salary, or go elsewhere and be paid more. If you love retail health, then choose this over derm. Another option- explain your dilemma to the dermatology clinic. Perhaps they will offer to match the salary of your retail health offer.

[TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN]

if they countered to keep you, could you not counter back for the extra 10K??? I would. I mean obviously they love you and want you to stay, so ask for the Derm office to match the retail health salary =) What's the worst they can say, NO? And even then, you still have the other offer on the table! =)

[myelin]

if they countered to keep you, could you not counter back for the extra 10K??? I would. I mean obviously they love you and want you to stay, so ask for the Derm office to match the retail health salary =) What's the worst they can say, NO? And even then, you still have the other offer on the table! =)

great point. I don't understand why everyone is so afraid to negotiate! The worse they can say is no, it's not like they're going to take away the offer!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

Too many NPs take lower salaries and it's driving down the overall salary for NPs. I used to see starting salaries in the 80K minimum now I see mostly 60K. It's sad, and it's because too many NPs take the first offer without countering.[/quote']

Where do you get the information for this statement?

It's a fairly bold statement to make without either a considerable history as an employer or personal experience as a APRN. Have you ever hired an APRN? Have you ever interviewed as an APRN?

The data from several salary surveys has consistently shown NP salary stable or increasing over the past 10 years.

Negotiating is a great thing for everyone, and everyone should do it. I would not venture to make any statements about NPs and how often or infrequently they negotiate. All my colleagues have negotiated.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I would be very war of any derm practice that offers lessons than retail without a considerable bonus structurw.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Too many NPs take lower salaries and it's driving down the overall salary for NPs. I used to see starting salaries in the 80K minimum, now I see mostly 60K. It's sad, and it's because too many NPs take the first offer without countering.

Source please. None of the published salary data for the past 3 years is congruent with this statement.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

OP: I'd take the derm job, but I'm not interested in money particularly although I understand that is a privilege not many people enjoy. If that $800 a month makes that much of a difference to you, I guess you will have to make a decision based on that.

However, more importantly, these two positions illustrate the difference between having a job and having a career. Retail health does not offer much professional support. It is an algorithmic practice, and no one I know that has tried it has liked it or lasted long.

[MedVision]

Thanks for all of your thoughtful responses! I decided to remain at the dermatology practice with full time hours. I feel the experience will be priceless. An opportunity in retail health may be easier to come by. After additional calculations the pay is essentially the same. Both are hourly. When computing pay associated with the dermatology opportunity I calculated hours I see patients, not the 30 minutes prior in the mornings or the 30-60 minutes I remain after seeing patients. Not bad for 4 days per week! The retail clinic has since offered me a prn position. Best of both! Thanks again for the feedback!

[nursetim, NP]

Derm isn't coming off the money? That surprises me. Unless the Derm offer is insulting, I'd go with Derm with the long view in mind. Retail seems a dead end.