New Grad FNP job hunting

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Specializes in Emergency, CVICU, PICU, NICU, MICU, SICU.

Hello,

I am a new grad as of December 2015 and I have passed my FNP certification through the AANP. I am in search of a position as an FNP. I have over 16 years of experience as a registered nurse. I worked in pediatrics, med/surg, ICU, CVICU, MICU, NICU, and the emergency room. I have applied for positions ranging from ED, Urgent care, CVS Clinic, Walgreens Clinic, the Little Clinic as well as some hospital based programs. Any suggestions? Do I need to be more patient? I have reached out to several contacts and they seem to think that I am a guaranteed position. While I was in school all of my clinical rotations wanted me when I was finished. However, now that I have graduated and completed my certification they all have no openings at this time. I am eager to start working in my new role. Any suggestions or ideas would be most helpful.

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most employers don't care too much about prior nursing experience.

Do you live in a saturated area? thats the biggest factor in a job hunt. It is easier to find RN jobs in comparison to FNP, since everybody and their mother wants to be an FNP for some reason.

the tides have turned since i have graduated a while back, most people are better off staying regular nurses due to the overflow of masters prepared nurses.

But if you go to an unsaturated area you can easily find a job, otherwise be expected to take a not so great position for a few years... at best.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

What I have found, as I live in an oversaturated area, is that contacts are what gets you in... Who you know. Doesn't even depend on how much experience you have as a nurse and you don't even need to be that smart it all depends on WHO YOU KNOW. So, the best thing is to network and not blindly apply for positions. Its what I did and that took me nowhere and I was incredibly frustrated. Talk to NPs in practice in your area, go to local NP meetings. Prepare to travel for your job, or relocate. Try locums.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I was in the same boat when I graduated (in 2006) and worked as an RN for another 3 months.

Have you considered joining your state's APRN organization? Great networking.

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Specializes in Emergency, CVICU, PICU, NICU, MICU, SICU.

I am a member of my states APRN organization and I go to the meetings on a regular basis. I have contacts that I have known for years and I am in contact with them as well. I was offered a job while I was in school, but they are currently on a hiring freeze at this time and the HR director states that I am at the top of the list for hire when they are able. Thanks for the information.

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FNP looking for a job in Orange County, CA I have about 8months of Experience it has been hard t find any decent Job currently I make $6/

less than what I make as RN

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FNP looking for a job in Orange County, CA I have about 8months of Experience it has been hard t find any decent Job currently I make $6/

less than what I make as RN

Just for clarification--you're making LESS now as an NP than what you made as an RN? How? Why?

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

It's mind boggling that NPs, clinicians with an actual ability to independently solve a problem, make less than hospital room service attendants (RNs). Why NPs allow that to happen is beyond me. Heck, I'd go ride a cubicle or be a bodyguard or something. I can't see the appeal in having the valets making more than the managers.

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Specializes in Hospice.

First off hospital rns are much more than room service attendants.....but I get your point.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women’s Health.
It's mind boggling that NPs, clinicians with an actual ability to independently solve a problem, make less than hospital room service attendants (RNs). Why NPs allow that to happen is beyond me. Heck, I'd go ride a cubicle or be a bodyguard or something. I can't see the appeal in having the valets making more than the managers.

OP I'm so sorry to derail, but is this guy freaking serious?? I certainly hope to make significantly more money when I finish my FNP program next year, but to say that RNs don't have the ability to independently solve a problem and referring to us as "room service attendants" is completely ridiculous and derogatory and makes me wonder if you have ever worked as an RN. Come work a shift with me in the SICU and then let's revisit this topic. Get the * over yourself.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
It's mind boggling that NPs, clinicians with an actual ability to independently solve a problem, make less than hospital room service attendants (RNs). Why NPs allow that to happen is beyond me. Heck, I'd go ride a cubicle or be a bodyguard or something. I can't see the appeal in having the valets making more than the managers.

Service attendants??? Wow...

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OP I'm so sorry to derail, but is this guy freaking serious?? I certainly hope to make significantly more money when I finish my FNP program next year, but to say that RNs don't have the ability to independently solve a problem and referring to us as "room service attendants" is completely ridiculous and derogatory and makes me wonder if you have ever worked as an RN. Come work a shift with me in the SICU and then let's revisit this topic. Get the * over yourself.

U mad bro?

nursing was a pretty easy and mindless job, and i worked in the (insert)CU. It is not engineering or medicine, even though other nurses will have others think it is on par intellectually wise.

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