I graduate from the FNP program today. It took me 4 YEARS. I took one class at a time and didn't miss out on much on the homefront. I still got to coach my daughter's sports team, go on field trips, be the room mom and keep things at home running relatively smooth. At times I worked 1-2 twelve hour shifts/week in the ER; at times I didn't work at all and then at other times I worked about 15 hours per week in my old cardiac job.
I had no less than 3 job offers before I graduated...heck, before I even finished my practicum clinical hours. These were all word of mouth i.e. none of the jobs were advertised. The offers ranged from 40.00/hr. to 48.00 an hour ($84K to $99K). Some had an amazing bonus structure and great benefits and some not so much.
In the end I chose an office that had patient care values and a practice style that melded with mine with a quick advancement scale that will have me earning what other NPs at the office make within a reasonable amount of time. All of the offers included an option for flexible part-time scheduling since that was my request. For all of you who hope to work part-time...it just simply wasn't an issue. If the office wants you it seems they are willing to let you do part-time. Of course, I have made it clear that I can increase my hours on days or weeks when other NPs are on vacation, etc.
The highest I ever made as an RN was the equivalent of $66K (not including shift diff, weekends, etc.) so I have no issue with being a brand new grad making anywhere from $84-99K. Especially for a job that will not require holidays and weekends! For NPs in my area, it is simply not true that we are being offered jobs at RN rates.
Just thought I would offer this up since I know students read these forums and become sometimes discouraged because of posts talking about salaries that are no better than RN salaries, lack of offers, lack of jobs, etc.
We have a state NP group and an area chapter as well. Google "north texas (insert your location of course) nurse practitioners" and see what comes up or go to your state chapter website and find a regional group from there. Our regional group meets monthly for dinners and I know a LOT of networking goes on there. I would stay in touch with your school, I know ours gets emails all the time from employers. You may just be in a bad area for NPs ? Good luck and I hope you find something soon.
Congrats on graduating and the job, that's great! I am also taking my MSN slow since I work fulltime + and it will be 4yrs once I graduate (halfway there!).
I graduate in May 2010, I have continued to work full time in the ER while going to school and found it was a great help in practising my advanced assessment skills and the docs have been awesome in letting me see pts and report what I think, then when they have seen the patient we share ideas or they point out what I may have missed. I love the enviroment but the NP's and PA's there still do shift work and work weekends, holidays and nights, thats what I would like to get away from, bedside nursing adnd 12 hr shifts for 18 years, I am ready for something different. All the graduates from the group ahead of me in my area got jobs by word of mouth, so there is hope when I finish.
I went to school in Miami and moved back home to Texas when I had finished school. I did not get a job based on word of mouth -craigslist and the local NP group. Unfortunately, many of my peers in Miami have yet to find positions, we graduated in August. Demand for Np's is very geographic. Good luck
Congrats! I was wondering what part of TX you are in. I lived in Austin, moved to nyc and am thinking of going back to Austin soon. Where did you go to FNP school? Thanks!
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sissykim
145 Posts
No how do I get involved with np meetings.