Good Contract Terms?

[kmarieCCRN]

I'm finishing my ACNP this summer and was fortunate enough to be offered a NP position in the ICU where I work (SoCal). And from what I can tell the contract looks ok. Are there specific things that I should be looking for in a contract? What, in your opinion, is essential in the contract?

Here's what it looks like....

113K/year

Malpractice insurance covered

20 vacation days

Quarterly "incentives" for billing/helping out... etc

10 sick days

5 CME days

$3500 CME allowance

Hours and shift are not included: Apparently mostly day shift and approximately 2-3 NOC shifts depending on when/how many residents rotate through. Hours vary weekly- depending on census and staffing.

Thoughts? Advice?

[SnowShoeRN]

I too am new at this whole working-as-a-NP-thing, but I think I'd be a little leery of the fact that they don't have the number of hours down. I get that it would vary depending on staffing and census, but maybe ask them to specify an approximation. My main concern would be that they could really end up taking advantage of you if they don't have a rough number of minimum and maximum hours worked weekly into the contract. Unless it wouldn't bother you to work 20 one week and 60+ the next. I guess I'd need to know more about the exact position to give my 2 cents.

Then again, I'm primary care. My hours are written into my contract, but maybe the varied unspecified number of hours thing is standard for ACNP's in a hospital setting. I don't know. You'd probably get a better response from some experienced ACNP's out there. In any event, best of luck and congrats on the offer! :)