Lost my NP job Friday

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Specializes in medical surgical.

background: I am an adult nurse practitioner who lost her job on Friday. I was doing ortho injections (Supartz, ect). It was not my perfect job but I am a single mom to 3 kids and the money was decent (not great) and it was close to home. I was told reimbursements were horrible and they had to limit my hours from 36 to 4.

I started a PMHNP program this summer and am enrolled for fall. I really do not want to treat hard core mental illness but am interested in depression, anxiety, PTSD. I also suffered from depression myself so I have an understanding of it personally.

I have really good references from every single job I have ever had. I would now like to work in the mental health field (I am certified for 13 and above). I really do not want to go back for FNP because I have always thought there was enough of a market for ANP as well.

I am really worried......obviously.....and stressing. I have 3 kids who are very upset because many of our plans were put on hold in a 2 day period. Does anyone have any advice. I am now worried that I, myself, could slide back in to depression with this job loss. It could mean moving my kids (again). They have been thru so much. Their father had a heart attack years ago. I think I would be good at helping people with life changes. Can anyone offer me any words of wisdom? Thank you and I will be very grateful!!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

I can't necessarily give words of wisdom but I just want to say I feel for you! It seems they didn't realize they couldn't keep you in a matter of two days....so how horrible of them to not at least give you a heads up of "hey...reimbursements aren't coming in like we thought. If they don't pick up we may have to cut back hours or let people go."

Can you get unemployment?

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Specializes in medical surgical.

Not sure about unemployment though I know our state does not pay much for that. However, I would like myself to be counted in the unemployment statistics. They also let about half our office go but offered them a few hours a week for the transition. My problem, of course, is that the unemployment numbers are false if none of us apply.

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My advise is to find a job tomorrow. Don't worry about the role at this point. I've known NP's that choose to do similar work as RN's. Maybe you could get into a home health setting where you are traveling to patients homes. It isn't perfect......but I guarantee you will find work and you won't have to tap into your savings. Then while you are working, you can continue to apply for a better NP position. If you have money coming in you won't feel so desperate when negotiating your salary with your new NP employer. PLUS....working will help you not get depressed. ;) Just don't worry about the things you can't control and do the next thing. Then pray about the things you can't control and let God work it out. Who knows, maybe he's actually opening a new and better door that you would have otherwise missed by continuing to work at your previous NP job.

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When I've been in between CNS positions, I've worked prn as a staff nurse in my specialty. It keeps the money flowing, and frees you up to take your time finding a new advanced practice position. Employers were delighted to get me. I made it clear to them that this was a temporary thing for me and I would be leaving as soon as I got a new CNS position.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I had a CNS friend who was laid off, got unemployment, job counseling and a good job through the unemployment office. I would apply for unemployment, just in case. You are an experienced NP. You have options. Let us know how you make out.

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

Why are people so caught up on working for someone else...sounds like to got enough knowledge to start your own business, its time to stop depending on others to put food on your table...thats my thoughts. I'd look into home health for starters.

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Specializes in psych.

I'd apply for unemployment while you figure everything out. My state pays about half of what you were making, so something beats nothing.

I have a friend whose job was downsized from 40 to 20 hours a week. She got unemployment bases on the 20 hours she lost for almost a year while she looked for a better job.

That being said, I work for a medical temp agency. I love my job. There is such a shortage for people here that I've been averaging 60 hours a week since January with the psych hospital they send me to. I work so much most of the staff forgets I'm agency. My schedule is completely flexible, as I tell them weekly what days I can work. I don't get benefits, but the much higher pay is worth it. They started sending me on assignments within a couple of days of starting, so something like that might be an option in the short term. Or do while in school. I'm doing it while finishing my RN to BSN classes.

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Amen! I have believed for years, that nurses need to work as Independent Practitioners, and be able to call the shots.

YOU have a lawyer write a contract that specifies, hours, benefits, working conditions, patient ratios, etc.

It is a valid contract that can be enforced.

THIS is the way that nurses can start calling the shots!

JMHO and my NY $0.02

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

If you become a PMHNP how do you plan to not treat "hardcore mental illness"? Just pick and choose the "easy" patients? Good luck with that.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

@windsurf.. OP just lost her job and is looking for suggestions.. she stated a preference for treating certain psych diagnoses in the future. The diagnoses she specified: depression, PTSD, anxiety are not "easy" to treat. Conversely, schizophrenia can at times be straightforward... I like the whole range of psychiatry and mental health but many people choose to specialize and do fine...

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In my state, if your hours are cut back, you are paid the difference between your wages and your benefit amount for unemployment. Go ahead and apply for it, but spend your energy on finding another job. No matter what kind of unemployment benefits, it never makes ends meet. Good luck.

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