Is this true? Salary Question

Specialties NP

Published

Hello everyone-

I often hear/read many NPs saying that if they were to work as normal RNs they would make more money than what they make as an NP; I even have read/heard of some NPs that went back to bedside RN because they made more money this way.

What if you were a PA? Would these population still be making more as an RN than a PA or is it specifically that they make more money as an RN than an NP?

In all honesty, how are FNPs in general weaker or less advantageous than PAs?

I live in California, in the Central Valley area.

Specializes in Mental Health.
I do know quite a few NPs who went BACK to work as RNs. I'm pretty sure it is this state - it is notorious for being a very bad practice environment for NPs, there are NO unions for nurses and so wages for them are pretty bad, there is also no patient safety act so everyone gets the shaft: RNs, NPs, and of course the patients. The hospitals here hire NPs as "contingents", that is, they don't want to pay benefits. You CANNOT negotiate. They TELL you: THIS is what it pays, there IS no negotiating, take it or leave it. Many left it: contingent NP pay here in this state averages maybe a dollar - yes ONE DOLLAR more than contingent RN makes. Hours are fewer because of that one dollar. The physicians hate the NPs and treat them worse than dirt. Some of the RNs don't want to work with NPs because as soon as the physician comes in, s/he changes the NP's prescribing orders for the patient: constant adjustment of meds. Not because the NP was wrong, but because the physician MUST feel in charge. Then, of course, the hospital pays the med. insurance for the physicians, and pays for their continuing ed credits, but NPs must pay their OWN insurance, and pay for their own CEUs, PLUS do them on their OWN TIME.

I do wish I had never gone into this field. It is the worst decision I ever made in my life. The university lied about everything - and never no where on the internet did anyone ever tell me these truths. I quit 2 jobs that were too horrendous already. Friends are working as pharma reps, teachers, temps, RNs, and some - in demeaning bad doc-handmaid jobs that don't pay that much more than if they were working as RN (and again, when you have high insurance costs and no benefits, you WIN as an RN and lose as an NP). No one is happy in any NP job they have. And BTW, no, we CANNOT open private practices here: NPs are not allowed, by law, to own ANY business at all in this state. RNs can. and PAs can . NP is the ONLY health care profession that cannot own a private practice.

Oh my...please share what state this is? I'm guessing Florida or possibly another southern state.. I know psych NPs making over 200k in Washington and Oregon where NPs are very respected and are fully autonomous. You should really consider moving if you can

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We pay our FNP $115+ per year; W2 w/benefits etc..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

I just graduated last December and for the same hours/shift I make about 30-40% more as an NP. In addition to that, the physical demand of the job is far less. Going back to school after 20 years as an RN was the best career decision I've ever made. I would highly recommend to anyone who is on the fence to just do it. If there's an APRN out there that regrets their decision to get their NP then there's a reason for it, and it's not due to the potential of pay or job availability. I LOVE BEING AN FNP!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So in a general sense PAs have it better in terms of salary and opportunities as opposed to NPs? Speaking as a California resident..

No CA is an NP state. Nursing union is better in Ca. The hubby is a PA with 6 yrs a second year NP makes as much as he does altho they work more hrs. In the same hospital the nurse's have a strong union and PA's not so much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

Wow, I kinda feel low-balled. Jules, aren't you a psych NP?

I've got 2 years of experience as an NP and I'm making about 90k a year. I'd love to know where all these high salaries are coming from because I've negotiated with every job and been making more than my fellow NPs at all of them. How much should I be expected to get in raises each year?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

Well, how much would an RN with 2 years of experience make working your hours?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Primary Care.

Oh, I'm definitely making more than I did as an RN with 4 years experience. All these people boasting about making double what I do kinda makes me feel inadequate though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

Well, there's always exceptions to the rule as with being an RN. I live in San Antonio and make around 100k with the best benefits of any job I've seen which makes up for the lower salary. I say lower because some of my NP friends make almost 200k, but they're working more than me and have more than 5 years experience. I'm not out a year yet but have approached my boss telling him that if I don't get a significant raise after I've had a couple of years experience then I'm going somewhere else. He was very positive agreeing to that conversation a little ways down the road. Here in SA, almost every offer I had was at least 100k.

I'm not in this for the money but it is a little frustrating seeing some make a lot and others not so. My current position gives me all the time I want with the patient, which is important to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Nursing.

MikeFNPC, couple years, Mike? My advice is at the year mark you get written offers from other employers and stop letting your employer take money out of your pocket. It's called CII, Continuous Income Improvement. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.
MikeFNPC, couple years, Mike? My advice is at the year mark you get written offers from other employers and stop letting your employer take money out of your pocket. It's called CII, Continuous Income Improvement. :-)

Good advice, my friends (NP's with >10 yrs experience) keep telling me that as well. I really want to do it for the profession mostly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Author/Business Coach.
Well, there's always exceptions to the rule as with being an RN. I live in San Antonio and make around 100k with the best benefits of any job I've seen which makes up for the lower salary. I say lower because some of my NP friends make almost 200k, but they're working more than me and have more than 5 years experience. I'm not out a year yet but have approached my boss telling him that if I don't get a significant raise after I've had a couple of years experience then I'm going somewhere else. He was very positive agreeing to that conversation a little ways down the road. Here in SA, almost every offer I had was at least 100k.

I'm not in this for the money but it is a little frustrating seeing some make a lot and others not so. My current position gives me all the time I want with the patient, which is important to me.

What kind of jobs do your friends who make 200k a year have? Are they FNP's as well? I think 100k is the absolute lowest a FNP should make, but your salary is nothing to sneeze at especially in Texas.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

They work either 1099 or in specialty areas like endocrin.

What kind of jobs do your friends who make 200k a year have? Are they FNP's as well? I think 100k is the absolute lowest a FNP should make, but your salary is nothing to sneeze at especially in Texas.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment