New AGNP-C seeking career advice

Published

Greetings all,

I have been a nurse for about 7 years, and I recently completed my MSN as an adult-gero primary care NP. I finished in August and had some family issues that kept me from searching the job market in earnest for about a month after graduation. I have a diverse clinical background which includes med-surg, neuro, ortho, and for the last couple years I've been working at an academic medical center in psychiatry. A lot of my experience has been with agitated neuro/psych patients. I didn't feel particularly called to do the PMHNP program so I did adult-gero instead. I enjoy the patient population, did fairly well in my program, joined sigma theta tau, and expected to quickly land a job after graduation.

That hasn't exactly happened...

I've applied for so many jobs I've lost count, had two promising interviews that quickly moved into second interviews, and then they kind of fizzled out. I'm learning that this can be typical for new grad NPs, but I'm only working flexi, and as an adjunct for my local SON st the moment. My wife is able to float the cost of living, but it's time for me find gainful employment once again. I can't relocate permanently, but I'm open to the idea of doing locum tenens on a temporary basis, but hate the idea of being away from my kids. I've got a couple ideas, and I thought I might bounce them off the knowledgeable folks here.

1. Keep applying and wait it out.

2. Make a lateral move and apply for some FT MSN type RN jobs. (Worried that this could be career suicide). Considering working as an RN in something that supports my resume more than psychiatry (geriatrics, palliative, hospice).

3. Return to school for a second MSN. Considering ACNP or PMHNP. It would only take a year, my employer would pay for school if I went back to work as an RN for them full time. Which would be the more desirable degree given current market conditions and my primary care AGNP degree?

4. Get a DNP. Would only take a couple years and would probably land me a full time teaching gig. Might make me stand out in the job market a little more.

5. Your advice.

Im in uncharted territory here. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

HMC

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there - sorry you are having such trouble getting a job. I agree that you have laid out some decent (and not so decent) options.

What type of positions are you applying for? Have you tried applying for jobs rounding at nursing homes? You could then emphasize your broad base of knowledge with the recent pysch experience as you know how to care for the elderly dementia pt. (If you do).

Agree moving into an MSN-type job which is not an NP position might be career suicide at this point since you have no NP experience.

DNP - well I don't think much of this so-called degree so I won't even go there. In my area, a PhD is needed to gain tenure.

Getting a post-MSN PMHNP might be the way to go if you want to cont in psych as an NP.

The ACNP would be fine too but again, in my area they require acute care experience in order to be hired - you don't want to get another certificate and still not be able to find a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the response! I have acute care experience it's just from early in my career, but you're right. They may not even consider that. A lot of ACNPs here are critical care nurses.

I would be fine rounding in nursing homes. I don't know exactly how to go about that. It seems like most of the nursing homes have a contract with a physicians service. I've considered trying to contact a physicians service about this, but I don't know who has the contracts. There are only really two true gerontology practices here; the one that turned me down, and one that I emailed my resume to that hasn't responded. I'll have to do some more research on that.

Thank you very much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I'm so sorry that your job hunt has proved to be so challenging, but I am hearing the same sort of thing from new NPs in my area also. Many organizations (mine included) are extremely reluctant to hire inexperienced NPs, even those that have several years of relevant RN experience. As a consequence, many NPs are working in staff nurse positions that don't require an MSN at all - at least for a while. I know of a couple who took this route at first, and then were able to advance into NP positions after "proving" themselves to be top-notch nurses. Maybe this would work for you also.

As for moving into an education role. . . .this is an entirely different specialty. Even with a DNP, you would still have to to top off with some formal courses in the discipline of education in order to be fully qualified for an academic role. Quite a few programs are offering 'certification' programs for NPs who want to change/add clinical specializations. If you can find an employer who will fund additional education, that would be a real bonus.

Hey, give your wife a hug for us ... carrying the major financial load for the entire family is stressful. It's probably time to give her a break. Best wishes on your career advancement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Personally I wouldn't throw any more cash on this bonfire just yet. I'll write more later but definitely explore nursing homes, even consider doing some PRN work as RN to get your face in the door and figure out who the key players are. Geri is huge and although you aren't certed in psych the experience should make you a golden boy. Pull from your work connections. What physicians were you friendly with when you worked as a RN? Fellow RNs you knew who were moonlighting at nursing homes? Anyone you can think of to get an actual phone number of someone other than HR.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Merged threads

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

OP, a lot of the nursing homes these days are no longer mom and pop operations. Many are part of huge corporate conglomerates and will hire NP's directly like they would hire RN's and LVN's. Big players are HCR ManorCare, Kindred, and Genesis Health Care. I've seen HCR ManorCare post NP positions on their website - and they actively recruit (on linkedin and other recruitment sites). Who knows they may have facilities in your backyard looking for NP's.

This is a list of the the largest corporate entities that own nursing homes: http://www.providermagazine.com/reports/Documents/2015/Top50_2015.pdf

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you! I'll start looking immediately.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you in an oversaturated area or is it just the new grad issue holding you back? It makes it tough that your degree is adults and keeps you out of the mix of positions where peds is involved. I would lean towards taking a full time/PRN RN role and keep networking and applying. Also, continuing your education is never a bad idea or waste of money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work, teach, and attend school in one of the largest NP programs in the country. So yeah...oversaturated. I can't relocate because my family has put down roots here. I guess I'm playing the waiting game.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

unless you want to change specialties, dont spend the extra time/money going back to school, spend the time finding your NP job. keep looking for jobs, dont get discouraged. i didnt find my first RN job for 10 months when the market was saturated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Update:

It took a while but I found a job. I'm doing gerontology and podiatry in a number of long-term care facilities in my area. I'm still learning, but so far it's going well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion