Long time experience RN w/new NP license ready for NP role-enough financial benefit

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I know many nurses who has been an RN for a long time (10-20yrs) who finished NP program and tried to get a job as an NP but pay wise is not much to what they are already making! Does anyone had this problem. If they were to take their new role and go else where than they lose their benefits such as pension, etc. Many that I know who can venture out is the younger NP who is "nothing to lose." Another question I have is what is the average number of patients do you see to be productive and bringing money to the practice.

Any comments would help:p

Specializes in Psychiatric NP.

Dixiecup,

Yes, I meant to come back and correct that. I would say 25-30 now that I've had more rotations.

Wish that I could see 10 patients a day only. When you find a place that allow NPs to only see 10 patients per day let us know.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Many Nps I know do work a side job in addition to there full time job, so you do have the option of making extra money. And I don't know about your area and hospital but at our hospital OT is very limited right now because of finances.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.
This thread has been very informative and yet a bit scary for me as a potential NP in three yrs. Got into an NP program . It is a " direct entry" program which means you enter directly with a bachelors only. NoRn experience needed. I am also applying to another one like that, both starting in 2010. The thought of having a debt of 120K yes they are alll very expensive) and making less than RNs or even making less than $50an hour is frightening with all the time and money put into the program! Both schools I have talked to tell me that new NP grads are making around 100K and paint a very optimistic picture. Reading this thread has opened my eyes up to the fact that it is not true what they say AND the fact that I dont have RN experience may hurt me when I graduate. I am in my early forties and money, benefits are impt to me!THat is the reason I am leaving my current field of healthcare . I would welcome any , opinions and advise as to direct entry grads or new NP grads in general and if they feel the time and money was worth it in the end? If I have to wait for many years after I graduate to actually make good money and benefits then the investment may not be worth it. SOoo hard to decide what to do!!!!!! I can take all comments very well so do please give me your honest opinions. Until I read this thread I was under the impression that I would graduate in 2013 and have many jobs available to me and start making atleast 85K if not more! By the way I live in Mass. THanks

Stop and get some nursing experience first. I hate that they are letting people into the program with NO nursing experience.

Please don't take that as a personal attack. It's just that how do you know you will like it if you've got no experience at the bedside?

Yes I know the roles are different, but the NP builds on the things learned as an RN.

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Dixiecup,

Yes, I meant to come back and correct that. I would say 25-30 now that I've had more rotations.

Wish that I could see 10 patients a day only. When you find a place that allow NPs to only see 10 patients per day let us know.

Oh, I know there are no places like that!! That is why I am freaking out right now. Because I"m preparing to take the boards and I just don't see how I am going to be able to see as many pts as an employer will expect me to see. I just don't think I can do it.

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I didnt read all 39 posts, so forgive me if I am repeating something already said. Remember that often for a staff nurse to make $50 or more per hour, they often have to take shifts at terrible times Weekends/Nights. I also remember from my brief foray into staff nursing that for that kind of money often you worked as an agency RN or flex pool, which usually meant you were on the floors that no one else wanted to be on (usually for good reason:eek:). So you have to look at the whole situation. You might be able to match your NP salary as an RN, but not working 8-5 mon thr Fri- in a lower stress job that is a lot easier on your body, you know what I mean?

And as you get experience, your salary goes up- don't forget that!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatric NP.
I didnt read all 39 posts, so forgive me if I am repeating something already said. Remember that often for a staff nurse to make $50 or more per hour, they often have to take shifts at terrible times Weekends/Nights. I also remember from my brief foray into staff nursing that for that kind of money often you worked as an agency RN or flex pool, which usually meant you were on the floors that no one else wanted to be on (usually for good reason:eek:). So you have to look at the whole situation. You might be able to match your NP salary as an RN, but not working 8-5 mon thr Fri- in a lower stress job that is a lot easier on your body, you know what I mean?

And as you get experience, your salary goes up- don't forget that!!!

Kim, does it really go up much after you start working for a set salary? I was under the impression that NPs pretty much stay within 10K of what they start out making...

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I graduated in May 2006 and have been employed for almost 4 years at the same practice and my salary in just 4 years has gone up 7K so I don't see the 10k being a ceiling.

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Specializes in Psychiatric NP.
I graduated in May 2006 and have been employed for almost 4 years at the same practice and my salary in just 4 years has gone up 7K so I don't see the 10k being a ceiling.

That is good to know! But does that already count in the 1% yearly increase for inflation?

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Specializes in GI/GU surg,Pacu, ct surg, home care, NH.
That is good to know! But does that already count in the 1% yearly increase for inflation?

Where I work the NPs have been getting 3% yearly increases so in three years you would hit the 10k mark and keep going. Also since the hospital is unionized the NPs also get about a $1000 yrly increase due to experience. So even with inflation its still decent.

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Specializes in GI/GU surg,Pacu, ct surg, home care, NH.
Do employers count your RN experience as years of experience? Does anyone know what I can expect to make as NP new grad with 5 years nursing experience?

I work in NYC and my hospital counts my RN experience when determining pay for exp differential. I work in a unionized private hospital. But even when I interviewed at city hospitals that had lower starting saalries they also included RN exp when determining experience differential. It seems most of the hospitals in my area paid for RN yrs.

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