Nearly impossible to find NP jobs

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Anyone else having difficulty finding a job as an NP? I thought psych wasn't oversaturated but apparently it is.

1 Votes
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

It is harder to find a job now due to the COVID lockdowns. Psych is not oversaturated. It depends where you live. If you are having trouble finding a job, then widen your search to other geographic areas.

7 Votes

A lot of health systems are in hiring freezes trying to recoup some of their losses from COVID....however we are absolutely hiring NPs where I work (including psych)

5 Votes
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

Look into telepsych....that's pretty hot it seems

1 Votes
Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
On 8/4/2020 at 9:21 PM, mrsannRN said:

Anyone else having difficulty finding a job as an NP? I thought psych wasn't oversaturated but apparently it is.

Just to be clear, are you certified in psych? And when/where did you start your job search? Sometimes it can take over a month for hiring staff to call back.

I live in a fairly competitive area. The job market certainly isn't what it used to be even just ~3 years ago due to the supply growing rapidly (experienced NPs and those living in shortage areas don't realize this, yet). Most jobs require experience (I applied to these jobs and none called back). But there're still jobs out there but we have to adjust our expectations.

I agree with above and expand your search to include Telepsych in other states (I would prioritize on states with FPA).

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

California and most of the other Western States have a shortage of primary care and mental health providers. California does not have FPA, but I can guarantee any PMHNP will have no trouble finding a job here. 30% of Californians w/mental health problems can't find a provider. It is common for patients to call multiple psych providers only to be told they are not accepting new patients. If they can find a provider, then it is common to wait up to 3 months to get an appointment.

COVID has increased the demand for mental health services - the amount of anxiety and depression the lockdown has caused, along with the media constantly trying to make everyone hysterical, is very troubling. Mental health is well-suited for telehealth and all the mental health practices in my area (Sacramento) are hiring. It is all telehealth now, although there are starting to be office visits.

3 Votes

New Mexico!

In NM NP's can work independently/prescribe without a doctor, why don't more NP's branch out on their own? Will insurances not contract with independent NP's? I hardly ever see an independent NP office and I can't figure out why that is

2 Votes
Specializes in medical surgical.

The difficulty of finding a position at this time is directly related to covid 19. My son had to end up taking a travel position in New York. In our state there have been many lay offs. I believe he told me they had furloughed approximately 50 NP's at his hospital. He was reduced to working only 12 hours (essentially one shift).

He is coming back to our state but it is still difficult to find employment here. Many non essential services are still cancelled. He made a very good income in New York but he may have to take another travel assignment out of state to another one of the "hot spots". I fear this is the new norm for the rest of the year especially if another wave comes upon us.

Specializes in ICU, trauma, neuro.

I am still getting about 10 calls per day for various psych NP positions and am still in the "new grad" phase of my career. Granted most of these positions would require that I move to locations ranging from Maine to California or Oregon. Thankfully, I am happy with my tele-position. If I make "a change" it will be to do my own "cash only" tele psych appointments in all of the states where I am currently licensed (Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and Florida, but Florida isn't IP). Of course this would mean paying for two additional DEA's and if the Ryan Haight act goes back in to effect (President Trump had directed the DEA to amend it by Oct 2019 for teleproviders, but they essentially ignored his directive and it wasn't until Covid that it was suspended), I will have to only use drugs like Wellbutrin and atomoxetine for my adult ADHD clients rather than my beloved Adderall XR/Vyvanse. Still, I think I could make it work and so could you.

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
2 hours ago, myoglobin said:

Florida isn't IP).

I thought FL passed IPA this year:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2020-03-11/florida-oks-independent-practice-for-nurse-practitioners

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
45 minutes ago, FullGlass said:

I thought FL passed IPA this year:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2020-03-11/florida-oks-independent-practice-for-nurse-practitioners

That's what I thought initially too, but unfortunately the bill is quite limited and excluded PMHNPs, certain outpatient specialties, CRNAs, and CNS's.

They are trying to amend the bill somehow to add PMHNPs into this bill, but it's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
2 hours ago, umbdude said:

That's what I thought initially too, but unfortunately the bill is quite limited and excluded PMHNPs, certain outpatient specialties, CRNAs, and CNS's.

They are trying to amend the bill somehow to add PMHNPs into this bill, but it's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Bummer. Thanks for the update.

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