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!!!!
Specializes in Med-Surg; Infectious Diseases; Research.
It all depends on where you live. Check into unemployment, reduced hours plans and bedside jobs. If you're close to a VA, they will take any NP willing to work with MH. With you enrolling in a MH program in the Fall that will make you even more attractive. As an Adult NP, you can cast a pretty wide net. It all just depends on where you live. You may have to give up the convenience of being "close to home" but let's focus on our hierarchy of needs first. More than anything, take a deep breath!! It sounds like you've gone through some major things in your life and you came out on the other side. This is no different. You can and will get through this!
Immediate options that come to mind are going back for RN work, home health, case management, insurance nurse, and jails or prisons. The latter are typically dying for help, and you could be a NP. Secure employment would be with like the VA or IHS, but those jobs take a long time to get - more of a future option. Maybe you could start applying for clinic job in subspec or surgical fields. I hope it works out for you. When you finish the pmhnp you'll have a high paying job the next day.
I'm sorry this happened to you, and I also want to express my condolences regarding your husband. You and your children have been through a lot, and you are obviously a survivor so you will get through this.
Fact: Your hours have been cut from 36 to 4. You ARE 32 hours unemployed each week. It does not matter if you are in NH (abysmal benefits) or the neighboring MA (amazing benefits) the fact is that you are down 32 x hourly rate. You ARE now unemployed. Any $ income for those 32 hours beats zero income—file, immediately. Try to get something in writing from the employer, if you can, showing that you are hired currently for 4 hours per week only. The state has your numbers relating to the past hours/rate already.
It makes zero difference if others around you do or do not file for unemployment. You are eligible (each state is different and often it requires having been on the job for 3 quarters) or you are not. If you meet the minimum requirements of the state you will get paid for the 32 hours at the state % (or in your case more likely the maximum allowed). It makes zero difference if they hire you back in several weeks. If they do, then your unemployment benefits cease, if not they continue as allowed by state law.
There may be a week or so waiting period. You will be required to look for work and will likely find it. I think that collecting benefits for a week or four beats using a VISA card to grocery shop. Look at the bright side—your next job may be a better one. Good luck and ‘git on down to that office to file (or online, if possible).
Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.
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.
I am sorry to hear about your situation, but I was wondering the same thing as this particular responder. How do you pick and choose the anxiety and depression patients? You NEVER know what you are going to get until after they come in and sit down and start talking. Psychiatric care is nothing to take likely. Also, there is no guarentee that the anxiety and depression patients are the easiest ones. Not to mention the drug seeking, Axis II and substance abuse. People die on you and the depressed ones are the first ones to go. Psychiatric care is very stressful and you have to work very, very hard at self-care. Everything is psych is "hard core!"But if you understand that, the one thing that it may be able to afford you with three children (although not immediately) are options and reduced hours if you get a high enough paying job. Psych NP jobs are abound and you can negotiate a fairly decent salary which will allow you more time to be home at home. Good luck to you and your family!
Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Stay strong, Stay focused. I've been in your shoes before, it feels horrible. 1.Do apply for unemployment. 2. Update resume, post it online on indeed, glassdoor nursing cafe & other websites. 3. Consider part time work, 2 part time jobs may be a better fit especially if you are thinking about going back to school. I have had 5 part time jobs for the past 1.5 years. I found myself in similar situation and before I knew it I had one then two, then 3 part time jobs. There are lots of opportunities, look for a teaching job ( I taught nursing for 9 years in BSN program, but you can teach at community college too.) Look for medicare advantage home assessment jobs or doing health risk assessments. And yes, you are still an RN, so I used to temp thru an agency in the summer when I was teaching. PM me. Do reach out to family & friends. Not sure what part of the USA you live in but sending positive thoughts your way.
I am not an NP but I have worked with them in hospice. Patient's need an exam every so often and are not able to leave the home. It's good money for the time put in. Perhaps work in hospice with an option to perform some of those exams as an NP. I think you are onto something when you say dealing with life changes would be an area of interest. I don't see why you would not have many opportunities to treat patients going through things like grief, anxiety and depression associated with those changes and how to be proactive to avoid those pits. They would be less likely to need long term therapy but you could give talks, seminars on those topics to pastors, healthcare profesionals, military families, new mother's groups. Even if you do speaker's bureau, it would be good exposure. I pray you can take care of yourself and remain where you are geographically. As you go, your children will go. It's another bump in the road of life.
Have you ever considered doing locum tenens? It is like filling in a temporary role for 3 to 6 months. There are companies that will place you where you want to go. This can give you a breather until you are sure about your next move.
I know this is an old post, but if you are a NP, DON'T settle for RN jobs. You are a qualified provider. Do not waste your education to do a job you are too qualified for.
DrKim
48 Posts
It all depends on where you live. Check into unemployment, reduced hours plans and bedside jobs. If you're close to a VA, they will take any NP willing to work with MH. With you enrolling in a MH program in the Fall that will make you even more attractive. As an Adult NP, you can cast a pretty wide net. It all just depends on where you live. You may have to give up the convenience of being "close to home" but let's focus on our hierarchy of needs first. More than anything, take a deep breath!! It sounds like you've gone through some major things in your life and you came out on the other side. This is no different. You can and will get through this!