I've been going over the older posts and I am alarmed at how many times issues such as poor pay/benefits and long hours arise for many of the NPs out there.
There is no way I am spending the next 2-3 years in school to make just a little more then I do now as an experienced critical care RN, never mind the same old two weeks vacation and lousy or non-existent retirement.
Please tell me this is not the 'norm' for NPs!!! If it is then I am definitely going the CRNA route. At least they are well paid, have good benefits and fair vacation.
I am currently an assistant director of nurses at a long term care facility. I absolutely love my job! Love it! I feel it is a role I was born to be in. I would work this job for the rest of my working days if it were not for the money.
I must make more money. So, I'm in the FNP program. Every day when I do clinicals, I think to myself, I don't want to do this, I don't like it. But my financial situation tells me, I must. NP's are in much demand in the area where I live.
It would be nice to be able to follow your heart but for some of us that isn't possible.
You may be surprised when you cross over that there is more to it than the money... I have seen many job offerings over the years for NPs supervisory positions as well as nursing home / rest home positions....
I've been going over the older posts and I am alarmed at how many times issues such as poor pay/benefits and long hours arise for many of the NPs out there.
There is no way I am spending the next 2-3 years in school to make just a little more then I do now as an experienced critical care RN, never mind the same old two weeks vacation and lousy or non-existent retirement.
Please tell me this is not the 'norm' for NPs!!! If it is then I am definitely going the CRNA route. At least they are well paid, have good benefits and fair vacation.
The Acute Care NP's I know are making anywhere from 90K to 120K per year, so you may want to pursue that opportunity rather than primary care. Also, NP's working in the ER are making far more than RN's. The ER RN's around here average $35 per hour and the NP's are averaging $65 per hour...no comparison whatsoever.
Something else, what I do as a NP is far more rewarding than what I did as a RN - it doesn't even begin to come close. Fortunately, I'm lucky and I'm making more money as a NP even though I work in primary care, but even if I were paid the same or less, I would never go back to nursing. This is way too interesting and I'm one of those people who gets bored very easily.
Where do you guys work that RNs make the same thing as NPs? Because I'm here in Texas and SEASONED RNs (with like 20 years of experience) make around 30-40.00 an hour working their butts off in 12 hour shifts at the bedside in the hospital. Brand new nurses start at around 23-25.00 an hour. But then again, here in Texas you can buy a very reasonable, nicely laid out house for 200K or less so we don't have the whole California thing going where the salaries are outrageously inflated just so you can afford a piece of the 700K shack around the corner.
NPs START around here at 80K with bonus plans offered, CME time, etc. and I've seen job postings that go up to 100K. These are for 9-5, no call, no weekends office jobs.
I have *no* desire to be cleaning butts and taking orders when I'm 55.
jcole, I have the exact same concerns you do. I'm in an RN to BSN program specifically because I wanted to go on to become a NP.
It's very discouraging to read NP's make the same (or even less) than RN's, considering I make $25/hr in Tennessee as an ASN.
I wonder what the point would be? Of course, I like to make a difference in others' lives but I can do that now. I could make a difference in someone's life working at Wal-Mart. Or sacking groceries at the 7-11.
I need money to back it up, and I don't think that is a cold or calloused thing to say. Ideally, I would be a CRNA but realistically, I'm getting old, I don't have the background nor do I feel capable of all the chemistry it looks like they have to take. I was looking for more of a challenge and more fulfillment in my career but part of that would come with making good money (like 80k + yearly.)
I'm afraid I will end up feeling like a fool. I pictured NP's to be in a dignified role, earning a comfortable living without toiling away long 12 hour shifts. I imagined they could keep banker's hours, have nice two week long vacations a couple of times a year, get excellent health benefits. Perhaps for their own fulfillment teach a class or two at the community college...the more I read posts about NP's the more I feel like a balloon that is having all the air let out of it.
Where do you guys work that RNs make the same thing as NPs? Because I'm here in Texas and SEASONED RNs (with like 20 years of experience) make around 30-40.00 an hour working their butts off in 12 hour shifts at the bedside in the hospital. Brand new nurses start at around 23-25.00 an hour. But then again, here in Texas you can buy a very reasonable, nicely laid out house for 200K or less so we don't have the whole California thing going where the salaries are outrageously inflated just so you can afford a piece of the 700K shack around the corner.
NPs START around here at 80K with bonus plans offered, CME time, etc. and I've seen job postings that go up to 100K. These are for 9-5, no call, no weekends office jobs.
I have *no* desire to be cleaning butts and taking orders when I'm 55.
OK someone finally made the butt comment.... :chuckle:clown: Yep I don't wipe them anymore but guess where that gloved finger goes :uhoh21:
Job pay really seems to vary from state to state provider to provider and sometimes with no apparent rhyme or reason... Some of my class mates are making more than I am and some are making less (few thousand either way). I have a few friends that are agency RNs and are making close to my salary although they still have to put up with the hospital crap though.
jcole, I have the exact same concerns you do. I'm in an RN to BSN program specifically because I wanted to go on to become a NP.
It's very discouraging to read NP's make the same (or even less) than RN's, considering I make $25/hr in Tennessee as an ASN.
I wonder what the point would be? Of course, I like to make a difference in others' lives but I can do that now. I could make a difference in someone's life working at Wal-Mart. Or sacking groceries at the 7-11.
I need money to back it up, and I don't think that is a cold or calloused thing to say. Ideally, I would be a CRNA but realistically, I'm getting old, I don't have the background nor do I feel capable of all the chemistry it looks like they have to take. I was looking for more of a challenge and more fulfillment in my career but part of that would come with making good money (like 80k + yearly.)
I'm afraid I will end up feeling like a fool. I pictured NP's to be in a dignified role, earning a comfortable living without toiling away long 12 hour shifts. I imagined they could keep banker's hours, have nice two week long vacations a couple of times a year, get excellent health benefits. Perhaps for their own fulfillment teach a class or two at the community college...the more I read posts about NP's the more I feel like a balloon that is having all the air let out of it.
I'm not sure where exactly you live in TN, but I know for a fact that NP jobs in Nashville are notoriously low paying, because there is an over-abundance of NP programs in that city. I graduated from Vandy a few years ago (I live in TX) and I specifically remember hearing stories about NP's being offered $20 bucks per hour, etc. In S. TX, I've seen anywhere from $28/hr (pedes) to $65/hr (ER) with full benefits.
Unfortunately, there are a record number of new grad NP's that are flooding the market, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of this. Those online programs are pumping out the NP's like nobodies business and it is going to hurt our profession all the way around. I can see a lot of NP's going back to nursing and then the domino effect begins...hospitals will want the NP's in nursing positions and the "less educated" RN's will be out of a job. Personally, I think the standards should be raised for entry into NP programs. I've seen several programs that don't even require the GRE or any nursing experience. All this does is give our profession a bad name, b/c just about any Tom, Dick or Harry can get in!
jcole, I have the exact same concerns you do. I'm in an RN to BSN program specifically because I wanted to go on to become a NP.
It's very discouraging to read NP's make the same (or even less) than RN's, considering I make $25/hr in Tennessee as an ASN.
I wonder what the point would be? Of course, I like to make a difference in others' lives but I can do that now. I could make a difference in someone's life working at Wal-Mart. Or sacking groceries at the 7-11.
I need money to back it up, and I don't think that is a cold or calloused thing to say. Ideally, I would be a CRNA but realistically, I'm getting old, I don't have the background nor do I feel capable of all the chemistry it looks like they have to take. I was looking for more of a challenge and more fulfillment in my career but part of that would come with making good money (like 80k + yearly.)
I'm afraid I will end up feeling like a fool. I pictured NP's to be in a dignified role, earning a comfortable living without toiling away long 12 hour shifts. I imagined they could keep banker's hours, have nice two week long vacations a couple of times a year, get excellent health benefits. Perhaps for their own fulfillment teach a class or two at the community college...the more I read posts about NP's the more I feel like a balloon that is having all the air let out of it.
I know at least three brand new NPs and they are ALL making 80K yearly to start and that just goes up with experience, bonuses, etc.
OUCH! I just applied to one of those online NP programs!
I certainly hope that I am well qualified and I know I will apply myself to the best of my ability but, if I feel that I am not cut out to be a NP, I think I am an honest enough person to admit it before the end of the program. In the event that would happen, I think I am STILL smart for getting the additional education and experience.
As with everything and all regions of the US things differ but some of you are saying that you make more as an RN than a NP??? How could that be, is that with overtime or just base pay??
Sorry I am a new grad who plans to go back in the next year and would just like to be enlightened. Furthermore, in the SE where I live I will make around 50-60k (with overtime, etc.) as a new RN but from speaking with new grad NPs they are starting out at at least 80K...
OUCH! I just applied to one of those online NP programs!
I certainly hope that I am well qualified and I know I will apply myself to the best of my ability but, if I feel that I am not cut out to be a NP, I think I am an honest enough person to admit it before the end of the program. In the event that would happen, I think I am STILL smart for getting the additional education and experience.
Make sure you check with you state board, because not every state recognizes online programs. As of 2003, there were something like 7 states that wouldn't accept them. The schools aren't exactly forthcoming with this information, which in my opinion, is very unethical.
I'm not sure where exactly you live in TN, but I know for a fact that NP jobs in Nashville are notoriously low paying, because there is an over-abundance of NP programs in that city. I graduated from Vandy a few years ago (I live in TX) and I specifically remember hearing stories about NP's being offered $20 bucks per hour, etc. In S. TX, I've seen anywhere from $28/hr (pedes) to $65/hr (ER) with full benefits.
Unfortunately, there are a record number of new grad NP's that are flooding the market, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of this. Those online programs are pumping out the NP's like nobodies business and it is going to hurt our profession all the way around. I can see a lot of NP's going back to nursing and then the domino effect begins...hospitals will want the NP's in nursing positions and the "less educated" RN's will be out of a job. Personally, I think the standards should be raised for entry into NP programs. I've seen several programs that don't even require the GRE or any nursing experience. All this does is give our profession a bad name, b/c just about any Tom, Dick or Harry can get in!
Gee whiz. I have nothing against people who go to online schools, but to me there is just something inherently wrong with going "online" to get your NP license and I believe that is what is cheapening the profession. Pretty soon it will be like you can get one out of every Cracker Jack box.
Looks like pretty soon everyone and their brother will be a NP, thanks to XYZ College online. It's like a faucet and they don't know when to turn it off.
I'm so against online learning for a NP I am willing to take my family and move across the state (or to another state, even) to attend school. That is how seriously I was taking a NP education. I even shirked the RN-MSN. I wouldn't feel right going into it without a BSN.
I guess I could look at it this way, If it's going to get where everyone has one, I guess I'd better have mine, too.
As with everything and all regions of the US things differ but some of you are saying that you make more as an RN than a NP??? How could that be, is that with overtime or just base pay??
Sorry I am a new grad who plans to go back in the next year and would just like to be enlightened. Furthermore, in the SE where I live I will make around 50-60k (with overtime, etc.) as a new RN but from speaking with new grad NPs they are starting out at at least 80K...
Thanks in advance for your replies :wink2:
I noticed that you work as a RN in the NICU. NNP's are very well paid in my neck of the woods. One of the local hospitals is advertising for NNP's and they are offering 105K to 125K (depending on experience and they will accept new grads) with all benefits (401K, malpractice insurance, etc) for just working three 12 hr shifts per week!
This is not the case in other areas such as primary care or pedes. I know some PHYSICIANS who aren't even pulling in 125K per year!
JDCitizen
708 Posts
You may be surprised when you cross over that there is more to it than the money... I have seen many job offerings over the years for NPs supervisory positions as well as nursing home / rest home positions....
APRN you are still a nurse... :nuke: