I graduated from NP school a year ago this month, passed boards and received my license in Oct 2012. Unfortunately, I have not found a job in my new chosen profession as of yet. I have been on several interviews but, in the end the job always goes to the NP who has the experience. And the jobs that are advertised on the career sites (career builder, indeed etc...) want NP's with 1 or 2 years of experience. At first I didn't worry too much but, now I'm down right frustrated and depressed that I am still working as a RN. It seems like no one wants to invest the time and patience to hire a new grad NP these days. Any advice, or suggestions please.
What? The starting salary of an NP here is significantly more than I make as an RN. So I wouldn't take heart in that if it was me. I'm an RN with 5 years specialty is a certification...I make 24/ hr. I would not assume the RN salary is higher than the NP.
Around here the starting salary for NP is $40/hour, and many RN's with a few years experience are making more than that.
What? The starting salary of an NP here is significantly more than I make as an RN. So I wouldn't take heart in that if it was me. I'm an RN with 5 years specialty is a certification...I make 24/ hr. I would not assume the RN salary is higher than the NP.
Not sure where you live, but new grad RNs start at $26 here in Houston. Ya'll need a serious market adjustment. I'm a new NP in surgery, and I make more as a RN, so I work weekends as an OR nurse as well. The disparity reverses as you become more experienced.
HR depts in general have no clue what they're doing, just remember that on interviews, find every strength, find positives from their negatives, and always give yourself a positive outlook...
And when you're done with the interview, send another resume somewhere else. Always keep putting your resume out there (unless you just love your job .. then forget it ).
This really surprises me - everyone in my class of ACNPs (graduated 4/12) had at least one job offer prior to graduation. Some changed jobs already. Most employers were extraordinarily willing to take on new grad NPs, esp if you had significant RN experience in your area. Re the need for Spanish or FNP/ACNP, I would hope you'd research the market need before investing in a degree. I am sure it's location dependent. I am in Pittsburgh and honestly we cannot hire enough NPs, the demand in several areas is so great. Good luck, it must be really frustrating to have worked so hard and then not be able to start using your new skills.
You are describing the same situation I am going through exactly!!!! I was told this time of year is harder in my area anyway...and hopefully things will improve in the fall. I had to wait until now to start looking...its complicated... and now am having a hard time finding anything. Sigh....
May i ask if you are an ACNP? My boss is looking for 2 new ACNPs in the Nashville area. He will accept new grads. Not sure what area you are in or what your specialty is.
I got a job at Minute Clinic one week out of school, in their #1 ranked market. They are looking for a very particular kind of NP. The projected growth in primary care with the impending Affordable Care Act will more than double their hiring and the projected growth is astronomical. You have to say you are looking at it as a career, not a job and write a great cover letter. I make a great salary, my hours are fantastic, and I work in an autonomous setting with no physicians, just NP providers at every immediate level. It is a fabulous career. I am thrilled.
Target now has retail health and so does Walgreen. I expect others to join in too with the new ACA. If they are like Minute Clinic, they will only hire FNPs and not ANPs. I just finished my AGNP program and have not taken the cert exam yet. I am looking for advice on passing the exam but happened to find this thread. My age will be a liability to getting hired for me too as I am a nontraditional student with lots of loans to pay back. Maybe I shouldn't have done this education.
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JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP
1 Article; 1,863 Posts
Around here the starting salary for NP is $40/hour, and many RN's with a few years experience are making more than that.