Members are discussing negotiating salaries as new Nurse Practitioners, the importance of building relationships with physicians, the value of sharing salary information for negotiation, the impact of pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree on earning potential, and the reputation of certain online schools for nurse practitioner programs. Additionally, members are seeking advice on transitioning to a career as an NP, the differences between working in a community clinic versus a hospital, and the potential for career advancement in the field.
My reasons why I question going for a Nurse Practitioner license.
Working with some seasoned nurses in the ER over the last couple of years, they make more than starting NP's do.
Two doctors and a nurse who did recruit and hiring for a couple of years all stated that it was not worth it.
If I don't jump on the bandwagon right away...the rumors of the dreaded 2015 DNP may come true
The Drawbacks:
Increased liability without enough pay
Overworked and underpaid for their work. In our ER, the PA's do most of the work while the physicians kick back
PA's are preferred in hospital settings (which is my major interest...though I'm sure an office setting will be great later in life)
Again...financial. They did not agree that 2.5 years of schooling was worth a mediocre increase in salary (even long term). They collectively felt that working a 4th 12hr shift each week was better than spending another 2.5 years an lots of money for an NP degree.
The Positives:
Increased autonomy
I can do a full time NP program and still work
There are 2 great NP programs near me (TWU and UTA)
I believe I can get in without to much hassle
In state tuition is affordable
Self satisfaction
I understand that financial compensation is not all there is to a job though it is a necessity. Increased autonomy is very important to me and the main reason I would like an advanced practice degree. Med school would be great, but being hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and taking 4 years off is not appealing to me.
So to the current NP's...
Would you NOT get your degree if you had to do it again?
Was it worth it more than just personal satisfaction?
I am currently finishing my BSN at Missouri State University and plan to continue on to the DNP program. It is good to hear that it is well worth it. Any of you out there doing the DNP currently? I would love to hear your opinions.....
Not worth it financially in the Boston when you have a very high cost of living. I heard RN can make that much there
Salary comparison for new grad RN to new grad NP at our big union hospital is between $10-15/ hr, with NPs making the higher amount. If you are a union per diem RN with 15 years experience who goes back to school you would likely take a pay cut.
That means very little to me in my NP job being "worthwhile". They are very different jobs with a different workflow. I am very satisfied with my job, more than as an RN. That's just me.
We don't have any PAs here to speak of, all NPs, in hospital and out-pt, primary care and specialty settings. No they aren't making mad bank, lol. NP pay here is about $30 an hour to start. RN pay is about $18-19, to start. After 20 years in Critical Care, I topped out the pay scale at $27 and change.
Wow what state do you work in??? In NJ/PA that average RNs start at $25/hr. which seemed low to me at first because that average RN in CA starts at $40-45/hr and thats in Northern CA that has about the same cost of living as South NJ. Makes me really scared to live in some states as a nurse. Lol
Sorry to say, but not true. The average starting salary in NJ is around 30/hr and NY is a little higher. Also, not true. South Jersey is generally cheaper than North Jersey. I can attest to this because I reside in North Jersey and have family and friends who lives in South Jersey.
Salary comparison for new grad RN to new grad NP at our big union hospital is between $10-15/ hr, with NPs making the higher amount.
To be fair, I would compare experienced RN with new grad NP. NP degree builds on experience as RN.
Many nurses who went to NP schools are experienced RN who worked in the field at least a few years, who may have taken pay cut or minimal increase in pay for the advanced degree.
To be fair, I would compare experienced RN with new grad NP. NP degree builds on experience as RN.
Many nurses who went to NP schools are experienced RN who worked in the field at least a few years, who may have taken pay cut or minimal increase in pay for the advanced degree.
If money is all that matters, not future employment or scope of practice: at our hospital a new entry NP is the same hourly wage as an RN in for eight years, give or take depending on differentials. RNs max out at $63/hr while NPs max at $110, so the ceiling is higher.
I have been working in a trauma ICU unit for almost 4yrs now in the Dallas area. I am definitely interested in getting my NP degree, especially before the required DNP program is required. How was the process for getting into the program at UTA for you? My biggest question for myself is how I am going to choose between ACNP and FNP. I have read all the pros and cons, but it is very stressful deciding! ? I didn't want to rush going back to school, but honestly the DNP requirement is making me do it.
For nursing school, I had to apply to the school first, then seperatly apply to the nursing program. Is it the same as UTA? Gotta say, the UTA website for NP Program isn't very user friendly when it comes to information on the process. I am currently waiting for my transcripts, then will do everything else. I don't want to quit my job yet, so I was wondering is part time available for the program??
It is worth it. I can not imagine having to go back and being a bedside RN. I have autonomy. I make good money. Im a contractor and work as littlle or as much as i want. There is no trying to decide if its Christmas or Thansgiving you want to spend with family. Plus I love the work and feel it suits my personailty a lot more than bedside, inpt work. I feel bad for my friends from nursing school who have not gone back. Then again I understand to each their own.
For me, no it was not worth it. I love geriatrics, but as a GNP, there are no jobs. When the last of the GNP program graduated(myself included in that 3 people who graduated). I don't feel it was a great program and I have health issues that have become worse since I've graduated. That is me. I wish you the best of everything. You will do fine.
My advice is to find out the market for your specialty. I know even before I applied to grad school where I wanted to practice, geographically speaking. Also try to keep expenses down. I went to a state school and was able to finish paying off the debt before I even got my NP license, dea #. This is an investment in your time, energy and money. Plan accordingly.
I feel bad for my friends from nursing school who have not gone back. Then again I understand to each their own.
Please don't blame them. It is not always worth it. Much.. much more liability and less then 1/2 pay of MD b/c of saturated market. That's the excuse I got from most of my ex-classmate and ex-coworker who did not go back. I don't know about you. But I feel like I always have to keep going with the time-limit with NP jobs and there is no down time. You are given certain time slots to see patient. However, you can relax and enjoy down-time in the ward on RN jobs.
holls2013
1 Post
I am currently finishing my BSN at Missouri State University and plan to continue on to the DNP program. It is good to hear that it is well worth it. Any of you out there doing the DNP currently? I would love to hear your opinions.....