Help, I need some advice!!! I'm a certified NP, I would consider myself a new graduate even though I became certified in 2017. I've still been at the bedside because I had a baby and wanted to stay 2 days a week at the hospital. Fast forward to now. I have been applying to NP jobs off and on for the last 6 months, its very competitive because of the amount of new NPs and because I live in San Diego and everyone wants to live here.
Long story short I have NP friends who helped me get my resume to the hiring managers of Minute Clinic and Planned Parenthood. I had phone interviews with both and will have in person interviews within the next 2 weeks. This would be my first NP job!!!!
I did part of my preceptorship at Minute Clinic so I know how it would be like to work there. I do see pros and cons about working at either place but I would like anyone's opinions on either company.
Minute Clinic is primary care so I would learn the basics but planned parenthood is women's health and very specialized. Any thoughts?
Hi Stephgriffin6, thanks for the update and that is so wonderful to hear! I finally got my license and applied to my local PP. I applied to 2 part-time positions. How long did it take for you to hear back from HR? I just emailed the generic HR contact listed in the job description. One of the jobs has been vacant for at least a year. I really hope I do hear back from them.
Hi Stephgriffin6, I just saw in your previous post that you were referred and HR contacted you the next day!
I don't have any Planned Parenthood contacts and was wondering if anyone had any input as to how long in general it takes to hear back from HR? Thanks.
The first time I applied to PP I sent my resume/ application and got an email the exact same day asking for a phone interview. The second time I applied I didn’t hear anything at all and then 4 or 5 days after I applied I had my friend sent my resume over to HR and an email immediately. So I guess it just depends on who is in HR and the need for NPs. I hope you get an interview!!!
Thanks so much for your reply!!! That's wonderful you heard back from HR so quickly. I still have not heard back but I will give it a week or two before emailing a follow up. On your resume, did you list CRNP or APRN as your credentials? I know they are the same for working purposes but they might be confusing to those outside the field. I listed APRN so now I am worried that because my resume did not say CRNP like the job ad, it might be tossed...
I also contacted the director of clinical services a few months back re the job position but never heard back. I initially contacted her last year about the possibility of clinicals and she responded a couple of months later (no availability). I am wondering if I should call her or fax over my cover letter/ resume, but I don't want to be too aggressive since she never emailed back. What do you think?
Thanks so much for your guidance! I will fax over my info first thing Monday morning to get things rolling! Hopefully that will get me an interview (fingers crossed) ?
Good Luck!!! Getting that first NP job is the hardest. Just be persistent, send out lots of resumes and talk to anyone who has connections to companies hiring NP!!!
Hi Stephgriffin6! I wanted to follow up and let you know that I am applying for a floater position. You mentioned that you had to float in the beginning. How did you find it? This job requires experience for the floater position, but will accept a new grad, depending on the candidate. Did you find floating manageable? There would be several clinics to float to for the clinician. Also, were you able to complete your charting in time with a daily 20-25 pt load? Is overtime permitted? The floater position is listed for 35 hours, but I am wondering what happens when you exceed your hours. I am guessing it's a salaried position, not hourly? Was your malpractice reimbursed?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks so much for your help! I am really excited about the position and hope it will work out.
Most positions are Flex Clinician positions( floater). You would have a home clinic and then be required to float 30 percent of the time. This has been the case for me. Floating is okay, just prepared to be working with different people, but I have not found it to be a problem. Each clinic is a little different in set up and flow but after going a few times it’s not that big of a deal. The nice thing is that you will get travel time pay and mileage pay, which is nice. I’ve gotten lots of over time and it has not been a problem. After training you will be prepared to float. You will get better with time.
You will be busy but seeing 20-24 patients a day is doable along with the charting. Many visits are very quick such as STI testing no symptoms and HC visits. You will get faster as you go. You chart after each patient so you don’t stay late charting!!!
Once orientation is complete I think the expectation is to see 18-21 patients. I would say the average I see is 20-21 patients per day but have seen up to 26 patients. It just depends on the shift you and flow.
I would say 35 hrs per week sounds perfect, 40 hours is almost to much but I like the money. I would say 4 days would be perfect for full time. I work 5 days per week.
Malpractice is covered !!!
I’m excited for you, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi Stephanie! Thanks so much for your response!!! Always greatly appreciated ?
That is so wonderful to hear that the patient load is doable. I am glad it is not as intense as primary care where 20-25 complex patients/ day can be very stressful. I am also very glad to hear that the charting is not too bad. They use NextGen where I am, but will be moving to Epic soon. I have used both, so I am not concerned about learning about a new program… I do get paranoid about charting though, cya etc.
I have applied to positions at multiple affiliates and am waiting to hear back on the hiring decisions. Everything seems to take a while, like one step forward takes about a week. I guess with the holiday season and end of the year, recruitment is delayed. I have really enjoyed the interviews and the energy of everyone. I am getting really pumped about working for PP ?
I was wondering if you were able to negotiate your salary? You mentioned your affiliate started at $58/hr after a recent raise? Here it is $41/hr and then an $43-45/hr to float. Honestly, I made more as a nurse, but I was working in a different state, where hourly rates/ salaries were higher, due to a higher cost of living. If I get any offers, I would like to see if I can get a few more dollars per hour. I also won’t be needing the insurance, as I will be getting it from my spouse, and I am hoping I can use that in the conversation. Do you think they would be open to that? I don’t want to jeopardize my offer, but everything I have read indicates that there is always room for negotiation. The other reason I ask is because I also have another offer that is $49/ hr with better benefits, but it is not Planned Parenthood. It’s not all about $$$ for me, but at the same time, I am wondering if they can meet me in the middle to be more competitive with the salaries in the area? What do you think?
Stephgriffin6, BSN, MSN, NP
50 Posts
Hi Express099,
I just read you other post and saw that you are in San Diego! Let me know If you would like to meet up and I could give you more info :-)