Is the compensation worth it?

[Jo Dirt]

I'm the sole wage earner in my family. My RN salary is fair by a lot of standards but with a husband, three children (who eat like horses) and one due in 1.5 months...I don't see anything but tight times ahead as far as finances go.

I'm working on a BSN program at this time and don't have a lot left to go before I'm finished. I'm getting the BSN only as a stepping stone to go to NP school. I've heard from some who are more familiar with NPs, though, that the financial compensation is very little (if any) more than they were making as staff RNs...is this true? I hear different things, so I don't know. I have heard NPs can easily make 80+K a year, but then I hear NPs can realistically only expect to make 45-50K plus the added stress of making medical decisions for people.

I was drawn to the idea of being a FNP for the autonomy and better wages. I know they say if it is the money you are after go to CRNA school but I do not have the aptitude for that.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Totally area/state dependent coupled with experience, motorcycle mama.

I did not start off making anymore than I did as a staff RN and if fact, less. But, over the years was able to command the salary to which I was entitled.

[jer_sd]

I agree with Siri, experienced nurses may initially take a pay cut or be equal but the upper limits of NP salary are higher than that of a RN so with time a NP can make more.

[carachel2]

The RN's I know who are making that kind of $$ are busting butt working ungodly overtime hours, doing agency work or working PRN (and don't need the benefits.) I'm pushing 40 and there is NO way I want to or physically could keep up with the physical aspect of bedside nursing.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I graduated in May 06 with an adult health CNS. I had already decided that I was not going to take a pay cut. For one thing, nursing is a second career for me and at 47, I couldn't take a pay cut. So...I did go on interviews but was insistent that I make a decent wage. The place where I am now initially offered my $55-65 but I said that wasn't in the ballpark because I would be taking a paycut. So...I got more but had to bargain for it. (And to be honest, I was scared to bargain but it worked out in the end okay).

[DucatiNP]

I graduated in May 06 with an adult health CNS. I had already decided that I was not going to take a pay cut. For one thing, nursing is a second career for me and at 47, I couldn't take a pay cut. So...I did go on interviews but was insistent that I make a decent wage. The place where I am now initially offered my $55-65 but I said that wasn't in the ballpark because I would be taking a paycut. So...I got more but had to bargain for it. (And to be honest, I was scared to bargain but it worked out in the end okay).

Trauma, I took a pay cut from $60 to $41 and I'm starting to think I shouldn't have. Now I feel that even if I move to a 'higher paying job' the next employer will see the $41 and just try to top that. I'll still be behind.

How did you bargain for it? My current position lowballed me at $37 and I bargained up to $41.

It sounds like $55 was your company's 'lowball offer', how high did you bargain it?

[DucatiNP]

The RN's I know who are making that kind of $$ are busting butt working ungodly overtime hours, doing agency work or working PRN (and don't need the benefits.) I'm pushing 40 and there is NO way I want to or physically could keep up with the physical aspect of bedside nursing.

+1 Cara, I took the pay cut from 60 to 41 because I couldn't do 1 more night of bedside. I think I gave 3 wks notice but used up 2.5 wks of sick / vacation because I couldn't stand it.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I currently make in the $70's, but get completely free health insurance, 4 weeks paid vacation, 1 week of CME, $1500 per year for CEUs, 1 week of sick leave.

As to the bargaining, I just told them that I wanted much more and this is what they came up with. I'm interviewing again and am now asking for $80. I didn't HAVE to leave my job that I had before I graduated, I just wanted to move on. However, with my student loans, I'm not seeling myself short.

Where I live is a very tight market with good solid competition so I really worried about an APN position but figured that I liked my staff nurse job well enough that I could continue to do it while looking.

[DucatiNP]

I currently make in the $70's, but get completely free health insurance, 4 weeks paid vacation, 1 week of CME, $1500 per year for CEUs, 1 week of sick leave.

As to the bargaining, I just told them that I wanted much more and this is what they came up with. I'm interviewing again and am now asking for $80. I didn't HAVE to leave my job that I had before I graduated, I just wanted to move on. However, with my student loans, I'm not seeling myself short.

Where I live is a very tight market with good solid competition so I really worried about an APN position but figured that I liked my staff nurse job well enough that I could continue to do it while looking.

~ $70 dollars per hour right? Wow, I'm behind.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

For ED call, I make $100/hour.

Six figure income with excellent benefits. But, as I pointed out above, that was after "selling" myself (you must have a USP) and years of experience.

[core0]

~ $70 dollars per hour right? Wow, I'm behind.

I would assume from the original post that this is per year. You might see call pay up there, but the only people making that regulary would be surgical subspecialties. Rember the average NP salary is about $78k. As a new grad it will probably be less. As an experienced NP it will probably be more.

For those of you looking at contract negotiation, I would suggest this article:

http://nurse-practitioners.advanceweb.com/common/EditorialSearch/AViewer.aspx?AN=NP_06jun1_npp24.html&AD=06-01-2006

David Carpenter, PA-C

[DucatiNP]

For ED call, I make $100/hour.

Six figure income with excellent benefits. But, as I pointed out above, that was after "selling" myself (you must have a USP) and years of experience.

What is a USP?