Job Offer, but I have reservations.....

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

Was offered a job by my preceptor and medical director at a college campus clinic. I was honored, since I don't graduate until May, but was very disappointed at the starting salary. I've never considered being an NP for the money, but I make more working 2 days a week as a floor nurse than the offer salary. I already feel that higher education within nursing is not valued, and this further justifies my belief. As I think about it, a new grad RN working at my hospital will earn about $5000.00 a year more than I will if I do take the job (which is unlikely), how is that possible???

My preceptor took a significant pay cut ($65,000 a year) and says her quality of life is much better (no weekends or holidays, and the summer off), and I should consider more than salary when I become an NP. I do agree with her to a point. But I feel if NP's continue to accept such embarrassingly low salaries, then employers will continue to devalue the nursing profession as a whole.

I will keep the offer in my back pocket, but continue to search for other opportunities (I like retail healthcare, don't laugh...lol) as I get closer to graduation and taking the boards.

Anyone care to share their thoughts (sorry if this topic has been discussed already as I didn't do a search)?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

When I graduated in 2006 I was all set to stay at the hospital system where I had worked for ten years. However, they considered me a new grad APN and therefore would only match my salary with no increase.

Uh nope, don't think so...so off to the interviewing process I went.

The job I took initially offered me just a teensy bit more than I was making as a staff RN. So, I shot them a figure $20,000 more than that and unbelievably they countered at $15,000 more than the initiall offer.

I would not sell myself short. For me, though the work schedule sounds nice, if you can't generate the income to make your position profitable, it wouldn't be a good fit for me.

That said, I'm a grandmother and schedule isn't that important to me at this time. It will after my husband retires though in a couple of years so I may have to reconsider then...

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Specializes in ICU, CV-Thoracic Sx, Internal Medicine.

Pay is usually on par with the level of work and risk involved.

I say approach your new APN job just like you would any first professional job. It's a new field for you, expect a low salary.

If it's a job you really enjoy then the pay is your compromise. Look to a healthier salary after a few years of experience.

Best of luck.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

I agree TX RN about the give and take aspect of employment, and it would be a job that I would enjoy so that will weigh heavily on my decision to accept or decline the position.

It just shocked me that I, currently as an RN with 6 years of nursing experience, earn more than my preceptor who is not only an FNP, she is also a Midwife, and has about 15 years of experience.

Since its a state university, and the position is considered state government employment, I am shocked at how little the pay is in relation to education and experience that my preceptor has.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Pay is usually on par with the level of work and risk involved.

I say approach your new APN job just like you would any first professional job. It's a new field for you, expect a low salary.

If it's a job you really enjoy then the pay is your compromise. Look to a healthier salary after a few years of experience.

Best of luck.

Sure with any time you come into a new job you can expect to start at the bottom of the payscale. However, if as an RN you becoming an NP, you would expect to make more than you are able to as an RN. I am currently making around $55k as an RN, but have made as much as $85k in the past, and ideally would like to make at least that as an NP. If I am investing time and money to get a grad degree, I should expect to see a return on that investment.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

I agree 100%. For those who mortgaged off their financial future to become NP's, there should be some return on that investment. Can't pay off student loans with servitude, sunshine, and a pretty smile...:)

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You might just have to look elsewhere, hopefully your not in an area thats saturated with NPs. If you look at the stats, college health has always been on the lowests part of the pay scale. Did you ask if the experience you had as a nurses may factor in? I get so annoyed by all of this. Me and my BF just had a conversation about money vs. fulfillment or whatever. She says Im not one of those NPs trying to cure the world or received accolades ... " Im doing thid to make a living for my family". She's retail. Negotiating pay is almost like counteroffering on a house. I have a number in my mind that I would take but im gonna go to my highest number without ******* them off, but hopeful not low enough to **** me off:) Good luck. Retail has nice pay but is not easy to get into. I think TXN RN has a point, you can start but it doesnt mean you have to stay.

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

True, I can gain the experience then leave I guess. I just have a problem with working for less pay than I earn now. The salary being offered is less than I made as a new grad 6 years ago...I have my dignity...lol....:) My nursing experience does not count which I can live with since I will be in a completely different role.

With the cost of living increasing (as an example my rent will increase by $70.00/month) I cant take a dramatic paycut for the sake of fulfilment. Conversely, I have another offer (which pays about 30 grand a year more) in retail medicine that I am strongly considering.

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

I wouldn't even consider that. You aren't going to learn much in that environment, and aren't going to earn squat. McDonalds could probably offer you nice schedules too, but I assume there is a reason you aren't applying there. Aim higher!

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It is a sad condition really, sometimes you would think that nurses are paid a hefty salary but in truth it is not. If you are unsure of the pay and you feel that you should be given more, then I think you should not accept the job. It is not also about being unappreciated, it is just a reality that the economy is not that good and there are budget cuts that can affect even the salary of nurses and NP.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.

I feel like this a reality everywhere. Several RNs on my floor were NPs but because they made significantly more as an RN they didn't leave. Kind of a waste of a degree/money IMO.

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this is one reason that I did not want to go on for NP...it's sad

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