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.
My feathers aren't ruffled, but it is frustrating to hear things like it shouldn't be about the money. No one gives physicians a hard time about their salariies, but nurses are somehow expected to "care" so much we are practiacally volunteers, and if you don't feel that way you are somehow degrading the profession. Speaking for myself, I anticipate getting out of NP school owing as much as 60K. I had better make at least $60 an hour or it isn't worth it. I went to RN school for free (ADN on a grant and BSN on total scholarship) and presently make just over $30 an hour. I have 5 kids to get through college, a mortagage to pay and my husband is waiting patiently for me to finish so he can go back for his masters. We make well over 100K a year now between us and are are barely scraping by (did you see the part about 5 kids?) so I don't want to be told I'm petty for desiring a larger salary!
Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.
I have a MSN and MBA and thinking about getting my FNP because I miss direct patient care but want the autonomy of a NP, I do work in the ER when time allows so thats how I know I miss direct paient care, and have thought about going back into it, but I don't want to be 60 years working in the ER
I been a nurse for 30 years and still don't know what I want to do, now that I am all grown up...
Magnolia, I don't mean to pick on you, it is just a sentiment I have heard before from some nurses (which boggles the mind) and pts/people out in the community. Nurses are supposed to "care" so much, we'd do it for free. We are supposed to be happy to work nights, weekends, holidays, because afterall, "the patients don't want to be sick on holidays either..." I do do some volunteer activity, but when I am working in a professional capacity, I expect to be compensated accordingly. I am not "lucky" to be making $30 an hour. On the contrary, I'm grossly underpaid, and yeah, I resent it. But not nearly as much as I resent the implication that I am not ethical if I say so.
I guess I should be thanking my stars for that princely sum of $30 when the dental hygienist who went to associates program is making $35 - $60 an hour.
Nurses have to eat too and I am tired of the implication we should be thankful for being underpaid relative to our education.
Specializes in ICU, ER, RESEARCH, REHAB, HOME HEALTH, QUALITY.
Magnolia, I don't mean to pick on you, it is just a sentiment I have heard before from some nurses (which boggles the mind) and pts/people out in the community. Nurses are supposed to "care" so much, we'd do it for free. We are supposed to be happy to work nights, weekends, holidays, because afterall, "the patients don't want to be sick on holidays either..." I do do some volunteer activity, but when I am working in a professional capacity, I expect to be compensated accordingly. I am not "lucky" to be making $30 an hour. On the contrary, I'm grossly underpaid, and yeah, I resent it. But not nearly as much as I resent the implication that I am not ethical if I say so.
:steppping gingerly off soapbox:
I say amen!!
I feel what you are saying we are grossly under paid, and what is worse, nursing instructors really don't make any money either.. and they talk about a shortage- I like patient care but not all the time, I have paid my dues, and did it all trust me.. and I was happy to do
been there done that.. but this stage of my career I want more control over it.. I know you can appreciate that. I want to work at the bedside on my terms.. we do work hard for the money don't you agree , sometimes we stay in one place to long, find an area that you can excell in and enjoy and move on.. and make more MONEY...
I am extremely happy to have made the transition to NP. At one point I remarked that it was so great, I'd do it for free... well, no, I couldn't really unless I had some income from elsewhere. After a lot of number crunching I went from salary to being paid by RVUs--so I have incentive to see people. This was scary, as if I have holes in my schedule, I don't get paid--plus I don't get paid on days off. Plus part of my job is calling after hours to talk to people, get an update, give results--I don't get paid to do this. No I don't have to, I could delegate this to the office nurse who is getting paid by the hour, but I actually do enjoy this part when I have time for it. And, as the word gets out that here is a person who will take care of you in the office and will take time to talk to you outside of the office, my caseload is growing. I have paid off my loan. I have no doubt that I made the right decision, both for my own personal growth and for my financial security.
BTW no one calls me "an angel" anymore, but they'll tell their friends to come and see me anyway... and I have never had complaints from folks paying up what they owe.
I am extremely happy to have made the transition to NP. At one point I remarked that it was so great, I'd do it for free... well, no, I couldn't really unless I had some income from elsewhere. After a lot of number crunching I went from salary to being paid by RVUs--so I have incentive to see people. This was scary, as if I have holes in my schedule, I don't get paid--plus I don't get paid on days off. Plus part of my job is calling after hours to talk to people, get an update, give results--I don't get paid to do this. No I don't have to, I could delegate this to the office nurse who is getting paid by the hour, but I actually do enjoy this part when I have time for it. And, as the word gets out that here is a person who will take care of you in the office and will take time to talk to you outside of the office, my caseload is growing. I have paid off my loan. I have no doubt that I made the right decision, both for my own personal growth and for my financial security.
BTW no one calls me "an angel" anymore, but they'll tell their friends to come and see me anyway... and I have never had complaints from folks paying up what they owe.
Just wondering what state you practice in?
You make a great point that your caseload will grow as "word gets out" that you take time with patients and give their cases your attention. I work with 3 NPs and most patients prefer them to the M.D. for this very reason!
I have never figured out why some pts prefer certain providers--I know when I see some folks who usually see the physician they are disappointed when they see me (or the other NP). I'll try to have the MD stick his head in the door to bestow the blessing with them. Others would rather see one of the NPs.
Even before I became a nurse or had any desire to be a FNP I always wanted to see a NP over another provider. Something about the fact they actually listen.....actually have time.....actually want to be present in the same room with me....call me crazy
I have never figured out why some pts prefer certain providers--I know when I see some folks who usually see the physician they are disappointed when they see me (or the other NP). I'll try to have the MD stick his head in the door to bestow the blessing with them. Others would rather see one of the NPs.
Give me an NP any day!!!! :)
I work in a urologist's office. One of the NPs, who is just fabulous, has her Ph.D., so she is known as Dr. XYZ. In a conversation with me, one of the patients went on and on one day about how she would only see DOCTOR XYZ, because she wasn't one of those darn NPs who didn't go to med. school. Yes, I broke the news to the patient... boy, was she shocked. LOL Didn't you read the embroidery on her lab coat that says, "Ph.D., CRNP"? I guess not!
Even before I became a nurse or had any desire to be a FNP I always wanted to see a NP over another provider. Something about the fact they actually listen.....actually have time.....actually want to be present in the same room with me....call me crazy
I've been seeing the NP at the gynecologist's office. She's super nice and all, but she is in a hurry as much as the doctor is. It's okay with me, because I don't come there for a counseling session (I'm about as nuts and bolts as you can get) but I can't imagine many providers at all have time to sit down and talk a whole lot.
I want to work at the bedside on my terms.. we do work hard for the money don't you agree , sometimes we stay in one place to long, find an area that you can excell in and enjoy and move on.. and make more MONEY...
*RN123ABC*
58 Posts
My feathers aren't ruffled, but it is frustrating to hear things like it shouldn't be about the money. No one gives physicians a hard time about their salariies, but nurses are somehow expected to "care" so much we are practiacally volunteers, and if you don't feel that way you are somehow degrading the profession. Speaking for myself, I anticipate getting out of NP school owing as much as 60K. I had better make at least $60 an hour or it isn't worth it. I went to RN school for free (ADN on a grant and BSN on total scholarship) and presently make just over $30 an hour. I have 5 kids to get through college, a mortagage to pay and my husband is waiting patiently for me to finish so he can go back for his masters. We make well over 100K a year now between us and are are barely scraping by (did you see the part about 5 kids?) so I don't want to be told I'm petty for desiring a larger salary!