More work, no pay increase..

Specialties NP

Published

What would you do as a nurse practitioner? I have been working at a hospital within the critical care areas with 2 intensivists for the past year. Apparently, another group of doctors are interested in a NP of their own, but it isn't budgeted. The CNO approached me and asked if I would be willing to enter an agreement with these doctors ALONG with my current docs, FOR NO EXTRA PAY. I am currently salary (84,000), with no RVUs. When I was approached, this opportunity was presented that it will advance my career, which it will because I will be seeing patients that will broaden my knowledge base as a NP. Is this intrinsic motivator worth it? In a way I feel like I am being taken advantage of, and I can't imagine taking direction from 4 doctors, who are in varying specialties.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

NO WAY. They want you to be their beast of burden without compensating you for the extra responsibility. Either they compensate you appropriately for the extra load, or you maintain the status quo. As it stands, your salary seems somewhat on the lower end of the spectrum, and if I were in your shoes I would be asking for a hefty raise when propositioned to cover for twice as many providers.

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Specializes in NICU.

Yeah, no, that's crazy, especially for the kind of money you're making. I make $96k as a new grad NP in an intensivist role (neonatology). I would counter for $$ or just decline politely.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Why is this even a question? They would never ask a physician to take on twice as much work for the same pay on the grounds that it will "advance their knowledge". Presumably if you're going to be billing, they are going to be making money off your work - I assume that increasing revenue is why they want an NP to begin with. So they need to give you a cut of the potential increased income.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I can't believe they even offered that with a straight face. No thanks.

You know what else broadens your base? Paying work.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.
Why is this even a question? They would never ask a physician to take on twice as much work for the same pay on the grounds that it will "advance their knowledge". Presumably if you're going to be billing, they are going to be making money off your work - I assume that increasing revenue is why they want an NP to begin with. So they need to give you a cut of the potential increased income.

Absolutely! This is an insulting proposition.

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Specializes in Surgery.

Ummm no!!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Why is this even a question? They would never ask a physician to take on twice as much work for the same pay on the grounds that it will "advance their knowledge". .

Lol, yeah it is a question because there are NPs out there who fall for that tripe! I hear it all the time and we see it on this board. NPs working for peanuts because they are new and are trying to "get experience". Taking on tasks that should be done by administrative staff because "who else is going to do it if I don't?" :sarcastic: Really? Any Docs who have to do that? None that I know of.

My employers all learned rather quickly that if they wouldn't ask the MD to do there is no sense in wasting their time coming to me with it.

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The way this issue was presented to me was under time constraints so I couldn't really gather my thoughts to present a logical answer other then I'll think about it and get back with them. I almost felt threatened that if I didn't do this for the hospital, I would get bad references from them if I decide to leave. They went on to say that this would be reflected within my yearly evaluation.. But that doesn't promise me anything. I know that I am an underpaid NP, but I weighed the pros and cons before I started, and felt I was getting everything I wanted minus a few grand. But now that these other duties were presented to me, I definitely feel insulted.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

Do you have a contract that stipulates your duties and who you provide for?

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No contract. Just a collaborative agreement with my intensivists.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Hospital admin is always going to try and pressure providers (NPs, MDs, etc). You don't have to give in.

Sent from my iPhone.

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