Negotiating Salary - Suggestions

[hik9258]

Hi everyone,

I will be graduating in December as an FNP and recently had a clinic inquire about an employment option.

It is in rural Nevada where the current NP is seeing over 30 patients a day and turning down approximately 15 (So she has told me). She started the clinic on her own (not her first job), and had recently after 2 years in business had a group of clinics acquire her so that this group of clinic/providers could expand throughout the state.

This group of clinics normally salaries their NP's around 70k as a new grads, but this provider, she had some leverage in that didn't necessarily need to join the group of clinics. Because of this she was put on the physician payscale. I don't know the details of why she chose to do this, but it was financially beneficial for her. I don't really know what the perk of joining the group of clinics was, because from the sounds of it, it seems that is group of clinics just provides support like billing and administrative services to the provider. I think all the physician providers have to buy all of their own clinic furniture, exam tables, etc., and I am unsure if this is the case with the salaried NP.

Anyway, this group of clinics recently talked to me about being employed with them. I was not told any specifics about the contract rather than it is salaried around 70k/year, and they could most likely do the quarterly production bonuses. They didn't say how much, as it was an informal quick chat.

My question is, what should I expect and demand? I have been going through posts, and this is what I am thinking.

1) A modified no compete clause, that states if I leave the clinic for any reason other than my own free will, than the no compete is null and void. Also, this no compete clause expires after 3 years of employment.

2) Salary with production bonuses. How much should I expect to get as a bonuses?

I was told it was around 2 weeks paid vacation, money for education.

My problem is, I'm young (29), and want to maximize my earning potentials. I know it isn't the best idea to go solo right out of school, but I don't want to lock myself out of my rural area i am from with a no compete.

What should I be expecting from the clinic in this situation so that I don't get taken advantage of?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

See this Feb 2015 thread: Negotiating Salary -- Do it! has article links re negotiations and payment options: salary, productivity or percentage based. Includes article Beginning Employment: A Guide for the New Nurse Practitioner plus NP members recommendations.

[carachel2]

30 patients a day = INSANITY. You will burn out soooo quickly. And if it is salary, you will be charting half the evening in time that is not paid. You should really really spend some time there AFTER the doors close at 5 pm and see how long it takes them to finish a day like that.

[TammyG]

A lot of practices will give you a bonus based on Billings over a certain amount, or some other productivity measure. These can be tricky to figure out and you probably will not reach the bonus level during your first year. If there is a set amount of money that you feel you need to make during your first year, you can ask them to pay you that amount and eliminate any bonus clause for the first year. As for the noncompete, most organizations are very reluctant to change those terms. I have found that most will refuse to modify the noncompete for situations where they terminate you. As for time off, many practices will be hesitant to give you more PTO than they gave the other NPs. All this said, you can try to negotiate any terms that you like. I would suggest you do it face-to-face rather than via email. Some practice directors dislike negotiating terms and will become frustrated with you. I have not found negotiation to be as easy in my area as some of the posters indicate it has been for them. Or maybe I am just not very good at it.

[alfredlikes]

70k a year?? That's like nothing after taxes. Tell your employer to f*** off with that joke of a salary especially in Nevada. You are a provider bringing in large profit for the practice. Tell them to offer you at LEAST 90K with bonus and other benefits such as CME and 401k.