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.
OP -In one of my classes we had to purchase a book "Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide" by Carolyn Buppert, CRNP, JD.
It has a good section on standard contracts, common contract issues she comes across when she is negotiating contracts for NPs, etc. I found that chapter well written and easy to understand.
I was offered a FT nursing home position M-F with on/call between 4 ARNPs and 4 MDs for 83,000. 2 weeks PTO, medical, dental, ST and LT disability. With various other discounts from local retailers. CEU are paid for by the company also. I love in Miami, Fl and this is what it looks like.
Thanks zmansc. I had to buy the same book and looked over the contracts section. I will do it more thoroughly when/if that time comes. My prof said that contracts usually mentions details regarding leaving the practice such as proprietary data, not taking patients with you, and not practicing within a certain mileage of the office, etc.
Congratulations reddgirl on getting that position. I mentioned earlier that I emailed the doc too, and he responded Monday. He said that he was still interviewing, but he was still very interested in me and would be in touch soon. That was this past Monday. I really don't know what to think, but am still applying for jobs.
I also contacted my state senator about the new grads and federally funded clinics, etc, and she loved the idea. She referred me to one in my state who is more involved in policy. I will contact her tomorrow. I hope things change soon.
Barinbass, don't get discouraged at the wait. This is a big decision for both you and the practice. It should take time to hire a provider. In the mean time continue looking (I'm sure you are) and keep in contact with this provider, let them know your interested in them, but you have to continue to look out for yourself as well.
Thank you zmansc. I will email once a week to check the status, but I am applying for other positions too. It is frustrating, and I am restless and afraid too. I plan to get out my Fitzgerald CDs and listen to them with the notebook to stay current.
I heard tonight that in Health Services there is a question regarding reimbursement and that this may lead to cut backs. Have any of you heard this? Thanks
Thank you zmansc. I will email once a week to check the status, but I am applying for other positions too. It is frustrating, and I am restless and afraid too. I plan to get out my Fitzgerald CDs and listen to them with the notebook to stay current.
I heard tonight that in Health Services there is a question regarding reimbursement and that this may lead to cut backs. Have any of you heard this? Thanks
Hey there Barinbarr,
Your experience sounds so much like mine. I actually sent you a PM recently btw. Anyways, keep on doing what you're doing. Keep contacting the practice but don't stop searching in the meantime. Hopefully you are still working as an RN in the meantime? After more than a year of looking (I had a baby along the way to slow my search down some) I was finally verbally offered a position yesterday in an outpatient specialty practice with an MD willing to provide a residency. I'm in disbelief that all my obsessing over jobs and interviews and how I appeared, and if they liked what I had to say is finally over. Now I'm just scared that I've been out so long and have forgotten so much!! Planning on looking through old class notes and books. Keep us informed and good luck! ?
Hi and thanks for sharing that. BostonRN13, I did get your PM. Thanks. Congrats on getting the offer!! The fact that you had a baby during that year makes your year well spent and you needed the time.
I got a coach and made a Linked In page that is specific to what I really want to do. I have interviewed the Directors of those Divisions here in my area and have opened communication with two in other states. Here, they have no openings and no funding either. I joined the organization associated with my area of choice which opened other doors and brought visitors to my LI page. I got out my notebook with the practices I called when looking for clinical sites. One is looking for a PA, and I sent a CV yesterday. I also spoke to the one in my Representative's office I mentioned re policy and the hiring of new grads for positions in HRSA approved locations. She said she would present it. Trying to stay busy. Thanks for your support.
BostonRN13, I sent you a PM but your box is now full.
I contacted the site I phone interviewed with before this last one and spoke to the CEO again. He made some calls and wrote today that he is going to set up a face to face interview. I am not really hopeful as he said this before too. I also heard this morning from the one I last interviewed with in the earlier posts. The NP who was to leave and get married is not getting married until next year, so the position went poof! The doc said he'd like to be able to contact me if things change. I have had good interviews with the docs. I also wrote up my proposal and sent it to my state Representative. She asked for that after I called her.
HI, I thought I'd be writing you telling you I had a job offer, but that is Not the case. I called back one of those that never said yes or no and rather than go to the CEO, I went to the manager. I had phone interviewed with her and she had wanted to have a face to face but HR dropped the ball and didn't set up the appt. She decided to set it up herself and the appt was today. i drove 70 miles one way for this appt. Interviewed by the office manager, doc, LCSW, RN, and a new, two week FNP. Surprised she was part of the interview team. The manager had told me they needed staff and were tight, so I felt good. The interview went pretty well but the very young doc gave me the distinct impression that she felt I would not appreciate the patients like she does because they are all medicaid or no insurance and the manager told her I had gone on house calls with my father which did do. I should never have mentioned that but before others got in, the manager started that tell me about yourself stuff. I felt like her comments were discriminatory in a way, but thee felt like there was some culture stuff in that meeting. Anyway, I got an email on the way home that said they were gong to interview more candidates in the next few weeks to get the best fit and thanked me for coming over to interview. That sounded like a brushoff to me. I have no other options and have this stupid education I cannot use!! I am at a total loss. After getting my BSN I made a choice to go this route instead of Medical School. I obviously made the wrong choice!
I never did hear from that last interview one way or the other but I have had three interviews with the company coming into my area that I think does very good things. It is exciting and innovative and has tons of merit for the patient as well as for health care. I also did the work to get two interviews last week and both are interested. One called and offered the part time position in his practice that I liked. Now the dilemma is that there is one more interview to go with the innovative company, and I have mad it through the Chief Medical Officer. It is scheduled for next week, but the doc who offered the part time job in his practice texted me tonight saying that he has two other candidates scheduled for this week and he needs an answer by the end of the week. That runs into that last interview which I told him about and said I'd like to finish that out and was very pleased with his practice and was very interested in working with hm., Any thoughts on how to handle the two since I want to make the best decision for me, and they are very different. I still would do NP duties in both. Thanks
My instructors have told us to send out our resumes to places we would like to work even if they do not have any openings listed. I know that for myself and at least one more student, we have been offered jobs by doing this. Are you able to relocate? Other parts of the country have significant shortages but moving can be daunting. For myself, I looked at areas outside of the location of my schoolmates. Luckily I live further out than they do.
Great idea, Cherry2000! How did you send your resume to clinics that didn't have openings? By mail, email, or in person? Did you have to call the manager first before sending it?
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.
As an RN (7 years experience) at a step-down unit, I make $53/hr minimum. New NPs would get $44/hr as starting wage.
zmansc, ASN, RN
867 Posts
OP -In one of my classes we had to purchase a book "Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide" by Carolyn Buppert, CRNP, JD.
It has a good section on standard contracts, common contract issues she comes across when she is negotiating contracts for NPs, etc. I found that chapter well written and easy to understand.
Good Luck!