First NP job... Did you negotiate the salary?

Specialties NP

Updated:   Published

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As a new graduate NP, you’ve made it through the program and passed the boards, yah! Now it’s time to find the first job. Here are some frequently asked questions of the new grad as the time comes to get that first job. Can some NPs that have been here already share the answers to the below questions... Any input is appreciated.

  • As a new graduate NP, how long did it take to land the first job?
  • Was your first job in the area of practice/ specialty that you wanted?
  • Did you negotiate the wage for the position?
Specializes in Psychiatry.

Isn't 2 weeks vacation rather low?

I don't know how people don't get burnt out with such low vacation allowances. And it makes it hard to plan nice vacations if you also use a few days here and there for other things.

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3 minutes ago, MentalKlarity said:

Isn't 2 weeks vacation rather low?

Depends on the person I suppose. I am home every night by 5pm though, so my work life balance is much improved from my bedside days.

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2 hours ago, Shamrock1145 said:

This stipulation is literally the only thing that bothered me in the contract. There really was no mention about my increasing role/revenue towards the practice as the years progress. Also concerning in regards to inflation, etc. However, I felt the pay and benefits outweigh this aspect by a lot. The physicians in the practice are all great to work with, when I have questions regarding a case they are easily available, which to me is important as I am brand new (I feel safe and I think that is something you should look at as well). I also did my internship here, so know the staff and workflow well.

The pay will increase by 5k for each individual year. But the medical alone is like an extra 12k to my salary, it is top tier coverage. Two weeks vacation the first year, then 3 weeks following years. I am not sure as to the amount of sick days, I think maybe a week? I never call off anyway as my wife has government job and is able to care for the kids at drop of a hat.

I plan on moving on after couple years of experience, would prefer to work for large hospital system, or get involved with urgent care. One downside, if I did work for local hospital system, they would provide 5k a year in tuition, whereas I get no tuition coverage in this practice.

The health insurance at 100% is definitely a bonus to tally onto the wage. Thus sounds like a nurturing environment for the new NP and that is important while building confidence. As the next poster suggests, 2 weeks vacation may sound minimal, but when working 8 hrs a day compared to bedside nursing sometimes 13 hrs a day plus .... the 2 weeks vacation and added bonuses seem adequate with the pay scale for this entry level position?

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1 minute ago, RN/WI said:

The health insurance at 100% is definitely a bonus to tally onto the wage. Thus sounds like a nurturing environment for the new NP and that is important while building confidence. As the next poster suggests, 2 weeks vacation may sound minimal, but when working 8 hrs a day compared to bedside nursing sometimes 13 hrs a day plus .... the 2 weeks vacation and added bonuses seem adequate with the pay scale for this entry level position?

My first preceptor, who was amazing, said that the best part of being an NP was the work-life balance, specifically for those with children. Irrespective of pay and benefits, my quality of life has increased ten-fold, for many different reasons, pay being the least of them.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

I received my first job offer 3 weeks after my graduation as a psych NP. That first job offer was one that I didn't like, so I asked to have 1 week to think over, and as soon as I asked they bumped my offer up by $5k (I didn't negotiate). I got my 2nd and 3rd offers about a week after the first offer. I did negotiate the 2nd offer because it's low (but great benefits). The 3rd one was a residency (no negotiation and stipend is low) and I declined it.

You should always negotiate. Negotiating is not going to hurt you. If they give you an offer, they want you; if they give you a hard time or make you feel as though you owe them something, it's probably not an employer you want to work for.

Yes, look at all the benefits (vacation, admin time, CME, 401k). They are extremely important for NPs. I wouldn't want fewer than 3 weeks of vacation (in addition to CME and holidays) as a new grad and definitely need 4-5 weeks after 1+ years of experience.

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.
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As a new graduate NP, how long did it take to land the first job?

It took me about 1 year, 45 days.

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Was your first job in the area of practice/ specialty that you wanted?

Yes, it is actually my dream job. 

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Did you negotiate the wage for the position?

No, it came in at pretty much the market rate for the position and the geographic area.

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Glad to hear it is your dream job! What area of practice are you in? Congratulations! Is the salary what you expected? 

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.
51 minutes ago, RN/WI said:

Glad to hear it is your dream job! What area of practice are you in? Congratulations! Is the salary what you expected? 

Thank you!! ? I'm an adult-gero primary care NP and always wanted to either find a job performing house calls or caring for the elderly in facilities and the job is the latter. The salary was a little more than I expected actually. Along with the benefits and perks, I truly could not ask for more ?

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Specializes in EM.
On 2/20/2021 at 5:20 PM, verene said:

Liability/legal - are you covered by their malpractice insurance (still have your own!) Is there legal representation or advice if you need it (I speak with our director of legal affairs ALL THE TIME with weird patient situations and correct legal handling - but I also work forensics so EVERYTHING is somehow tied to legal system).  Is it anticipated you will need to testify as expert witness or otherwise provide testimony in your area of practice? What preparation is provided for this? 

ALWAYS ask about non-compete agreements (and try to avoid signing one) as well as policies on having a second/moonlighting job (many places are okay with it but do have you go through a formal conflict of interest process, some employers prohibit this - if you think you might pick up something part-time or per diem on the this matters). 

Malpractice is huge. Make sure you get claims based malpractice. Understand what 'tail' coverage is. In the past some unscrupulous companies hire without providing adequate medical malpractice: Provider tries to leave and company says "that will be $100,000 to cover your tail."

Non-competes are generally not enforceable; so if you see one in a contract, question the intentions of your potential employer.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
48 minutes ago, MD married to RN said:

Malpractice is huge. Make sure you get claims based malpractice. Understand what 'tail' coverage is.

Wouldn't occurrence based be better (other than being more expensive)? No need to worry about tails.

I always get my own personal coverage even though almost every organization offers malpractice coverage.

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Great advice! 

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Specializes in Surgery.
On 2/20/2021 at 5:46 PM, RN/WI said:

first-np-job-did-you-negotiate-salary.jpg.3dc6077bb9889b578834d9933fb13d9d.jpg

As a new graduate NP, you’ve made it through the program and passed the boards, yah! Now it’s time to find the first job. Here are some frequently asked questions of the new grad as the time comes to get that first job. Can some NPs that have been here already share the answers to the below questions... Any input is appreciated.

  • As a new graduate NP, how long did it take to land the first job?
  • Was your first job in the area of practice/ specialty that you wanted?
  • Did you negotiate the wage for the position?

Absolutely negotiate!!

-I took my time because I wanted a role more in line with a PA position with first-assisting in OR, and being a surgical NP so overall it took me roughly 6 months.

-My first job was as an inpatient Surgical NP at a community hospital primarily in Ortho, bariatric and general surgery services.

-I negotiated $8 more an hour (16K/more yearly) with the argument that I wanted to MATCH my current RN pay in the city.

 

#Youareworthit

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