GS Pay Scale for Nurse Practitioners

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So I was applying online for a NP job on a military installation, and from what I could tell new grads would only qualify for GS-11 which is about $58,000/year. Am I missing something? That's ridiculously low . . . why do people say it's so great working for the DOD if the pay is over $30K below the area average? I must be missing something, right?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I work for the Army and Psych NP's are GS 13 pay scale. I worked as a contractor for the Army for 2 years then went GS in the same job, and have been for almost a year. You get a locality adjustment which in my location is 29K, making my salary over 100K. As a veteran, I just like treating active duty Soldiers and being on a military post.

Civilian new grad psychNPs in my area are starting out in the $150,000 range. I loved caring for vets and with the horrific medication regimens many of them are on there is a huge need for competent prescribers however there is no way I can justify the pay difference.

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Specializes in psychiatric.

Zenman, how do you know if a VA job gets a locality adjustment, and what is the criteria? I had noticed a wide range of posted salaries for military PMHNP advertisements, so I was curious as to how they are doing that if they are following the set payscale, maybe this explains it.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Zenman how do you know if a VA job gets a locality adjustment, and what is the criteria? I had noticed a wide range of posted salaries for military PMHNP advertisements, so I was curious as to how they are doing that if they are following the set payscale, maybe this explains it.[/quote']

Good question there was no mention of locality adjustments when I was offered a NP job for VA. If you find a locality adjustment that is at least $80,000 in addition to salary let me know and maybe I'd consider going back to VA.

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JulesA, you are a true gem on this board! I'm starting a NP post masters program in the Spring and you have provided so much great education for future NPs and nurses in general! I love reading your posts! You always remind us not to sell ourselves short and to look out for our best interests! Just wanted to say thank you for the contributions you make to this community!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
JulesA, you are a true gem on this board! I'm starting a NP post masters program in the Spring and you have provided so much great education for future NPs and nurses in general! I love reading your posts! You always remind us not to sell ourselves short and to look out for our best interests! Just wanted to say thank you for the contributions you make to this community!

Wow, thank you this is so nice! I can be a bit of a blessing or a curse depending on who you ask. :D

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
Civilian new grad psychNPs in my area are starting out in the $150,000 range. I loved caring for vets and with the horrific medication regimens many of them are on there is a huge need for competent prescribers however there is no way I can justify the pay difference.

At the VA, I so frequently saw Adderall and Xanax as the go to remedy for all maladies. It was exhausting trying to get them off those meds as an intern and started on something reasonable and prudent. It's the old docs that like slinging that crap. I really enjoyed the vet population too. I feel like they were more interesting, and I had something closer to an altruistic moment treating them. For my benzo grabbing, Medicaid, SMI population...not so much. Although I like my job tremendously and am quite lucky to have it.

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
JulesA, you are a true gem on this board! I'm starting a NP post masters program in the Spring and you have provided so much great education for future NPs and nurses in general! I love reading your posts! You always remind us not to sell ourselves short and to look out for our best interests! Just wanted to say thank you for the contributions you make to this community!

I think nursing has spread some rash of hog hooey that it's ok to "sell ourselves short" as long as the patient is nurtured. I believe once NPs separate themselves and become as business minded as docs then things will change, and we'll have more demand.

I did the email version of a cold call recently and shot the CMO of a company an email saying I'm a board certified psych NP with DEA registration. I'm interested in moonlighting. Call me if you want to discuss options.

Within two hours, I received a call from their personnel director letting asking me to email her my desired rate, mileage, and travel pay and requested a resume. Done. Put yourself out there. Be expectant and not arrogant. Know you've got something great to offer. Healthcare is a business like no other. Maintain a business mindset. More patients, more productivy, more efficacy, more money. Supply v. demand. In psychiatry, there's high demand, little supply so expectancy works in this instance. For FNPs that's unfortunately not the case and doesn't even seem to be the case for CRNAs anymore.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Be expectant and not arrogant. Know you've got something great to offer. Healthcare is a business like no other. Maintain a business mindset. More patients, more productivy, more efficacy, more money. Supply v. demand. In psychiatry, there's high demand, little supply so expectancy works in this instance. For FNPs that's unfortunately not the case and doesn't even seem to be the case for CRNAs anymore.

Well said and not getting emotionally invested is key. I remain pleasant, upbeat and don't escalate in the slightest no matter how insulting I might feel their offer is. I once told a Doc who was busting my chops that even if he felt he was overpaying me as a NP I was way cheaper than bringing in one of his golf buddies.

I know the rate I am able to command, I have the contracts to back up what I'm requesting and if a prospective employer can match that sweet, if not, no biggie I'm not going to take it personally but they also will not be receiving my fine services. And in my experience there is can be a huge difference in the quality of care from one provider to another, again NPs or psychiatrists.

I agree that FNPs are not in as much demand and the fact that there are way too many of them with bleeding hearts who think they are also there to mop brows and hold hands which they wear like a badge of superiority over physicians for a paltry $70,000 a year. Sorry but the whole holistic thing doesn't hold any weight to the people signing the pay checks. My guess is a FNP who knows they are da bomb, has excellent contacts and the cojones to ask for a premium wage will get it. I know a great NNP working in women's health getting in the $150,000 range. Know your value, know how much you bill and don't feel the least bit uncomfortable about requiring it.

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How many patients you see daily?

I can't answer any questions about the VA. Remember I work for the Army treating active duty gunslingers.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.

Hmm. I think GS jobs are good and you need to take into account 6 weeks vacation, etc., and security (for the most part). That's worth something. As far as civilian demand for FNP's I know some that got work and are making $120-140k in Tx. Not every market will bear high salaries so you've got to look at the type of patient base, volume and reimbursements. Most everyone I've personally met, depending on how/where they structured their clinicals, was offered a job at or near $100K right out of school. So I think the demand is still there in more rural or suburb areas. Look around. Heck physicians pack their bags and head to "whereever" to finish their residencies, why shouldn't we do the same to find better pay? It certainly won't come looking for us!

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Specializes in ER.

Original poster here . . . interesting discussions for sure, but I guess no one knows about the GS level for a new grad or additional benefits that may make up for pay? This would be a job working on an army post treating active duty and/or family members. I'm already a military spouse of a "lifer" so I'm guessing I don't need a lot of the benefits that may make a DOD position more appealing.

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Specializes in ER.
Hmm. I think GS jobs are good and you need to take into account 6 weeks vacation, etc., and security (for the most part). That's worth something. As far as civilian demand for FNP's I know some that got work and are making $120-140k in Tx. Not every market will bear high salaries so you've got to look at the type of patient base, volume and reimbursements. Most everyone I've personally met, depending on how/where they structured their clinicals, was offered a job at or near $100K right out of school. So I think the demand is still there in more rural or suburb areas. Look around. Heck physicians pack their bags and head to "whereever" to finish their residencies, why shouldn't we do the same to find better pay? It certainly won't come looking for us!

You say GS jobs are good for the benefits - can you elaborate?

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