GI NPs...

lalaxton · May 12, 2004

Gee! Sounds like an enviable place to be with so many choices! What part of the country are you in?

As far as your question, that's a tough one. If you have an interest in a particular area and like the physician you would be working with, I would go for that, as it sounds as if they all will make good money in the end. It also depends on how much you need benefits and if you don't how much those benefits would cost you on your own. If you don't get benefits are you expected to help pay a portion of the office expenses? Is your salary based on the percentage of collections?? Ask lots of questions! I also think you should invest in Carolyn Buppert's book. Sorry I forgot the title, but she is an NP and also a lawyer and speaks to all the things you need to know when starting out!

lalaxton · May 12, 2004

I found the reference!

Buppert, C. (2004). The Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide, Gaithersburg, MD: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

cgfnp · May 12, 2004

I found the reference!
Buppert, C. (2004). The Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide, Gaithersburg, MD: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Thanks. I have one of Bupperts other books (get paid and not get sued). She's a great author and a great resource. I've laid out all the costs as far as the benefits are concerned and I've basically found that I'm gonna need about $20K/yr extra to make it worth it to not have benefits. Even then, I'm skeptical because the insurance seeking individual is never as powerful as the insurance seeking group.

I think when it comes down to it I'm just gonna have to be blunt about it and say, "listen, exactly what am I gonna get paid and how much growth is possible for me here?" If you look at physician job opportunities on the web, you nearly always see the compensation spelled out loud and clear. But, NP job postings are always vague and hush hush about the money.

I guess I'm afraid that my probing about the money will make me look like I just want money and don't care about the patient care. I just want to get the money situation out of the way so I can focus on becoming a great NP....

cgfnp · May 12, 2004

Gee! Sounds like an enviable place to be with so many choices! What part of the country are you in?
As far as your question, that's a tough one. If you have an interest in a particular area and like the physician you would be working with, I would go for that, as it sounds as if they all will make good money in the end. It also depends on how much you need benefits and if you don't how much those benefits would cost you on your own. If you don't get benefits are you expected to help pay a portion of the office expenses? Is your salary based on the percentage of collections?? Ask lots of questions! I also think you should invest in Carolyn Buppert's book. Sorry I forgot the title, but she is an NP and also a lawyer and speaks to all the things you need to know when starting out!

Oh, and I'm in Missouri...

lalaxton · May 13, 2004

What's wrong with asking for all the details and being honest about what you want in a job? As long as you are assertive and not agressive about it, you should have no problem. I have always asked for what I want and most of the time I have received the salary and benefits that I've asked for. The worst they can say is no.

My advice is go with the job that interests you the most, working with the people you connect with the most. It's not always about the money it's about your interests and the people you work with.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

salvati08 · May 17, 2004

Hello, I sent you a pm, will you please read it and reply? Thanks

camrn · May 20, 2004

My sis just graduated w/ her MSN and is a NP in a GI clinic she's worked with as an RN for many years. They are offering her a salary base in the 70K range w/ options for bonuses and profit sharing that could increase her income to over 6 figures. It's a great gig, but she's had about 20 years experience as an RN, but she's doubling her salary. The good deals are out there!