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.
Maybe true for your area, but this is absolutely not true for most of the US. I can't hire enough ACNPs and I get recruitment emails daily via Linked In.
I agree. Fresh out of school, and there are plenty of opportunities where I'm at.
I would agree with the above, especially for my field (neonatology). I recently read a report that the average age of a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is 48. We also have a national shortage with schools closing around the country. I guess it means job security for me, but I hope we can get our numbers up.
That may be true, but pressure is also a great way to make mistakes because you now have to see more patients each day. And then get thrown under the bus for making the mistake.
I really want to thank you all for your advice and motivation to not be taken advantage of. I want to update you on more of the ugliness that has transpired. After my meeting with the CNO, I asked my boss for a raise. I stated, "you know I've worked here for a year, the responsibilities are adding up, I'm working more than the required 40 hours a week consistently, and I'm only making $2 more an hour than I was as a bedside RN". His response to me was that he consistently works 50-60 hours a week.. Totally just minimized my situation and my request. So I applied for jobs, to hopefully show them what a nurse practitioner should make just rounding for 1 service line's patients. I had my first interview last Friday, and it went really well. I was asked to return yesterday for another round of interviews, and that went really well too. They asked for references, so I asked my boss if he could be a reference for me, and he stated there is a policy that forbids him to be a reference for a current employee. I don't know if that's true or not, but I will be in HR's office on Monday morning to find this policy.. I'm just so frustrated that all this has happen. I truly enjoy my job, the doctors I work with, and the nurses. But I can't keep being taken advantage of right? My salary is not even comparable to what a new nurse practitioner makes in my area (85-95k).
Can you start your own practice? That would cut out the middleman.
I am really not surprised about this. Doctors do not like the idea of nurses having any autonomy and control over anything to do with their practice. In spite of how many degrees we have, expertise, the PTB prefer that nurses remain barefoot and pregnant, not speaking until we are spoken to.
Sad, that this behavior and mindset continues into the 21st Century.
His response to me was that he consistently works 50-60 hours a week.. Totally just minimized my situation and my request.
I bet he is appropriately compensated too. He chose to do medicine and accepted those hours. You did not. However if you are not even being paid what a new NP is you definitely should push it. Regardless if you like the people you work with, there are all kinds of workplaces and colleagues you'll like, esp with better pay.
During my RN program, I made a suggestion about shifting a due date on an assignment to make it easier for the students to get two assignments that were both due at the same time done. The professor I suggested this to went off on a rant that started with "When I was in school" and sounds very similar to the Monte Python skit about how kids don't believe how tough our lives were....
I calmly listened to the rant, and after he was done I simply told him, "that must have been rough, good thing we don't evaluate how to best teach by simply making it as rough as possible, but instead our interests are how to make an environment that is the most educational to all the students involved." He huffed off, and never did address my suggestion. However, the next years class told me that the schedule had been changed. A couple years later I was working with him as a colleague in the ER, and he mentioned how mad he had gotten when I made that comment, but that once he calmed down, he realized he needed to think about it differently.
I think your doctor needs a similar attitude realignment. Just because he/she works long hours, does not mean that all providers need to do so. If he/she chooses to work long hours, that is his/her choice, not the choice of all the employees in the firm, or even all the providers. To make such an assumption is incorrect. Also, the value you bring to the organization is not related in any way to how many hours or how much effort some other employee works, it's related to how much direct and indirect value you bring to the organization. Direct would be measured by revenue generated minus costs associated with generating that revenue. Indirect would be measured by other ways in which you help the firm grow (public relations, etc.).
Just accepted a job offer at a university hospital for 20% more money and way better benefits! I can't believe I put up with such BS for so long. This was definitely a life lesson as a nurse practitioner. Don't let people take advantage of our skills! I tried to reason with them and state the improved outcomes that are documented since my arrival, but that wasn't enough for a raise. I marketed all those qualities during my job interview, and they offered me the job instantly! I'm excited for my new adventure! and I want to thank everyone for their advice on this forum. You all truly gave me the motivation to succeed.
Sounds like they are getting the milk for free and bypassing the cow all together. I would negotiate and find out specifically what my duties would be. Many of my co workers asked me why don't I pursue NNP since I have been working in the NICU for 14 years. What you are enduring is why I declined any interest because I could not help but feel all my hard work and endeavor would only benefit the neonate physicians.
Just accepted a job offer at a university hospital for 20% more money and way better benefits! I can't believe I put up with such BS for so long. This was definitely a life lesson as a nurse practitioner. Don't let people take advantage of our skills! I tried to reason with them and state the improved outcomes that are documented since my arrival, but that wasn't enough for a raise. I marketed all those qualities during my job interview, and they offered me the job instantly! I'm excited for my new adventure! and I want to thank everyone for their advice on this forum. You all truly gave me the motivation to succeed.
After reading through all the comments, I am so so happy to hear this! Congratulations! And, I hope you are enjoying your new job
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MikeFNPC, MSN
261 Posts
I agree. Fresh out of school, and there are plenty of opportunities where I'm at.