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?
Is there any way of you guys moving? That does sound horrible. I work in an independent practice state with great opportunities but have gotten the sink or swim type orientation. I was use to it since I was a travel RN for a good portion of my RN career just wish there was of an orientation since I was coming from a different state. Alabama sounds horrible.
I love being an NP. I work in MA and I really have so much freedom to practice how I think best. ? I enjoyed being a staff nurse too years ago...but there is a lot more independence and autonomy to enjoy as an NP.
$18k is well below what I found available for me, but $100k is way more than anything I found for MSN or DNP. Having said that, my first thought was $60k for a BSN??? My wife and I both graduated with far less than that combined, and we thought we had taken out too much in loans!
UTEP. Public school in Texas. Just about any public school in Texas will have you in and out for under $30k for in state residents. Even UTEP out of state isn't much more than $30k.
Specializes in NICU, Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
I would have not gone to school for my Masters if it had been $100k! NO! There are people that do it, I even work with a few. It boils down to what you really want... but for me I am terrified of debt. Also, I think it's a good idea to look for public universities that have hospitals you can work at with a tuition discount. I did this and my Masters education cost me about $7k including books and fees.
I would have not gone to school for my Masters if it had been $100k! NO! There are people that do it, I even work with a few. It boils down to what you really want... but for me I am terrified of debt. Also, I think it's a good idea to look for public universities that have hospitals you can work at with a tuition discount. I did this and my Masters education cost me about $7k including books and fees.
Thank you! Nothing wrong with going to a nice public university with a good local reputation. The cost of my tuition and books is 18k. My hospital has assisted me with 5k of that cost, meaning my MSN-FNP is costing me 13k. This December I will be graduating debt free, and a friend of mine I know going to Georgetown will have over 70k in debt. Granted she didn't have to find preceptors and I did, but I'll take the 70k in savings to do a little of the leg work myself.
NPAlby
231 Posts
Is there any way of you guys moving? That does sound horrible. I work in an independent practice state with great opportunities but have gotten the sink or swim type orientation. I was use to it since I was a travel RN for a good portion of my RN career just wish there was of an orientation since I was coming from a different state. Alabama sounds horrible.