New Grad NP Job Advice

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Specializes in Pulmonary/Critical Care.

Hello All:

I am currently hunting for my first NP job- graduated December 2006. Was wondering what the general concensus was about starting in internal medicine/family practice versus taking a specialty job fresh out of school. I have heard arguments for both and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks!

PS: I am an FNP grad.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Depending on the area of the country - it might be taking what is available. That was how it was for me. However, I was very lucky and did get a wonderful position right out of school. My job market is very tight and I interviewed for EVERYTHING!!

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Specializes in Pulmonary/Critical Care.

I am in a similar situation in terms of the job market and have been applying to literally everything.

A second question would be what advice do you have about ways to really make yourself standout as a new grad. I have been highlighting my GPA, prior RN experience, other credentials, and grad school clinical experience. Every resume submitted with a cover letter individualized for the position... following up with a phone call one week after submission.

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Hello All:

I am currently hunting for my first NP job- graduated December 2006. Was wondering what the general concensus was about starting in internal medicine/family practice versus taking a specialty job fresh out of school. I have heard arguments for both and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks!

PS: I am an FNP grad.

Depends also on what you want to do as a NP. I went straight into specilty practice and I have not had problems. I did not want to be a walking rx pad for colds all day. Would you be happier in primary care or specilty area?

Jeremy

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

When I graduated (May 06), I had highlighted my RN experience (10 years at a level one trauma center in various capacities). The interviewers all liked the variety that I had dealt with and the fact that I was pretty independent with my assessments. I ended up going into nephrology/dialysis without any related experience. However, I was hired over four other experienced NPs because they liked my positive attitude and ability to see the bright side. I think much depends on the attitude that you project and that you a team player.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Hello All:

I am currently hunting for my first NP job- graduated December 2006. Was wondering what the general concensus was about starting in internal medicine/family practice versus taking a specialty job fresh out of school. I have heard arguments for both and wanted to hear what you all think.

Thanks!

PS: I am an FNP grad.

To me, it depends on what motivated you to become an NP. Is it to practice in primary care or to work in a specialty practice? One downside of going into specialty practice right away is that you may lose your primary care skills and may not be as marketable as a primary care mid-level provider if you decide to come back to that setting in the future. If your goal is to be in specialty practice anyway, then that would not be an issue.

Most ACNP's like myself planned on working in specialty practice when we were students and that was usually one of the reasons why we picked the ACNP route.

I also agree like the others who already posted that at times, you may just have to pick what is available in your area.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I am in a similar situation in terms of the job market and have been applying to literally everything.

A second question would be what advice do you have about ways to really make yourself standout as a new grad. I have been highlighting my GPA, prior RN experience, other credentials, and grad school clinical experience. Every resume submitted with a cover letter individualized for the position... following up with a phone call one week after submission.

I think those are good strategies you mentioned. You almost have to use the CV format instead of a resume so you can include all that information. I found that on some occasions, employers do look for new grads. My first NP job straight out of school was with a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation group practice and my role was to do PM&R consults at their affiliated hospitals. I also filled in for the PA's and NP's who worked in the in-pt rehab units if they were on vacation. The physicians specifically wanted a new grad (mainly because the position didn't pay that great). I later found a critical care position that closely matched my ACNP training at another hospital and this has been where I've been working since.

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Specializes in Pulmonary/Critical Care.

I became an NP with the mindframe of leaving the acute care setting- with the goal of working as an NP in a clinic (or atleast in a role that is not 100% inpatient)... I honestly could be happy doing many different things (specialties, primary care, etc). I think your point, pinoyNP, is well taken about losing your skills- that is my primary concern. I just need to pin down which patient population I most want to work with and go from there. Perhaps I have made my decision with that very statement- start with PC then move to a specialty later on... My husband and I will be moving in 4 years, so I will definitely be job hunting again in the near future.

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Specializes in Pulmonary/Critical Care.

And yes, my decision may be made for me by what is available here.

THANK YOU for all of your thoughts and advice!

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