I have a dilemma as a new NP

PG2018 · Jul 19, 2015

I think there's always disappointment when people take a new job and find it doesn't fit them. When I was working as a RN, I took one that looked great on paper, but once I got in there I saw that it was awful the first day. I held on for a month and put in my notice. All told I was there six weeks.

If you're not liking the sleep clinic then I think it's prudent to go ahead and voice your concerns. If you don't like it in the new, honeymoon phase you're certainly not going to like it 10 years out. If you'd rather be dealing with hospitaly stuff then go do that.

automotiveRN67 · Jul 19, 2015

It depends on what you think the job will actually be. Everyone has to take their lumps in the clinic, in my opinion. I don't know many people who like the clinic, but it is the bulk of the work in most practices. Take it as experience.

You may ask to shadow him at the hospital. Some physicians are reluctant to bring their new staff into the hospital until they feel they can present themselves well. Some hospitals require privileges first.

I don't think it is right that you take a job, let him pay you and train you, knowing you have applied for something else, and will leave.

Sometimes, depending on the area, and the physicians involved, this can kill your opportunities.

Remember, when you are new, you have to settle in and build rapport, before you can get what you want.

Good luck.

lhflanurseNP, APRN · Jul 19, 2015

I am sure that as an ACNP, you would find clinic practice disappointing. Clinic practice is for the chronic patient. We may experience a few occasional acute cases, but overall it is following up on patients, doing education, encouraging lifestyle changes, etc. I would let your MD know that as much as you appreciate the opportunity, as an ACNP, the clinic is not providing the "rush" you need and that you would like to find a position in an emergency/acute setting. It is better to be up front now and help understand. He should be able to relate to this and appreciate your honesty and integrity. Good luck!

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Jul 19, 2015

I was at my first NP job for less than a year. I would not say/write down anything that isn't IN WRITING yet.

You never know what could happen and you don't want to burn any bridges.

Alicia777, MSN, NP · Jul 19, 2015

Duplicate, sorry!

CocoaLoverFNP · Jul 19, 2015

OP,

My first question is: Are you considered an "official employee" now while you shadow this doctor? Which means you are getting paid for orientation and submitted the appropriate forms to your employer already.

Or will you become official beginning September 1st (therefore, not getting paid while you shadow the doctor)?

I am asking this because, like the previous poster has stated, you cannot write the clinic on your resume (under experience) until you have officially started working for the clinic.

What I would do is look around (apply for that fellowship or other jobs) before your intended start date, if you are not an official employee of this clinic doctor yet. If this fellowship hires you while you are officially working for this doctor, then you can make your decision (whether to leave the present job, etc). Things come up! And i would definitely accept a job that will pay me MORE and make me HAPPIER. Things come up all the time... And that's life.

But that's my own opinion. I know that most new grads prefer to stay for at least a year working for their first employer. So if this is you, you should make your decision now before this clinic doctor invests a lot of his time and money training you.

rpatil88 · Jul 19, 2015

Thank you all for the advice!

Just as an FYI he is not paying me and is just letting me shadow him. I am going to the hospital 2 times a week with him to round on patients but it seems like he is just so busy that he isn't able to focus and teach me. He is an amazing doctor but he is also so OCD that I don't know if he going to be able to give up some of his responsibility to me.

And thanks so much for pointing out that if I haven't signed anything officially then I can't really put it on my resume. It's just hard at this point to figure it out because I don't want to burn bridges and at the same time I don't want to be stuck in job that I am not really interested in.