Newly single :-) where to go in the US for a new and better NP job??

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Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

I'm newly single and a very freshly minted FNP! My fiancé is leaving me in 2 weeks, I'm a very recent FNP grad, I'm 50 (old), retired military with benefits, I can move anywhere in the world, where do I go for a great job, what do I need to look for or look out for?? I don't need benefits, I get medical, etc from the military. I'd like a lower stress, fewer patient per hour job if at possible, nursing background has been Med/Surg, ER, ICU, LTC, Hospice.

Any advice where to look for a great job? Which part of the country? I've had 3 interviews and 3 job offers. I'm currently in TN working nights as an RN at the VA medical center.

1. Pain management, that's where I'm currently working mon-thur 8 hr days for $90,000 yr

2. Urgent care - PRN - within 1 hour drive, $42.40 hr to start, $44.40 after with a solo clinic.

3. Rheumatology/arthritis clinic with the VA in Seattle, $92,500 to start per year, 5 days/wk

None of the pay is over $100,000, the pain management job is like a sales job, how many trigger point injections can you do in a day, how many X-ray orders, how many....the more sales (orders) you put in the better and if you don't do enough, they will show you the door.

The VA clinic in Seattle would be the most stable and continue with the employer that I have now, but not great money in a higher cost of living area.

The Urgent care job is with a catholic organization, they are super nice, but minimally manned, after training, I would be in a 4 person urgent care, doing anything that walks in the door, sutures, chest pain, etc.

Is there another way? A better way? My self centered, ego centric view/desire is a mon-thur job that makes at least $100,000 year with no more than 2-3 patients per hour with low stress, does that job exist? If not, which part of the country can a person move to, that is relatively low stress, high pay and a nice place to live, ex, key west is much more attractive than say Chicago :-)

What do you all think? Where does a new grad, old single guy move to and expect to find a decent job?? Does that place even exist??

Thanks

Tony in TN

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I saw a primary care NP position with the VA that covers Lake and Mendocino counties in Northern California. Pay starts at over 100K. I think that's a reasonable amount considering that this is rural and the cost of living would not be the same as San Francisco Bay Area yet you're just hours away from a big city. It's the kind of place you could probably afford to buy a tract of land and even grow your own vegetables or raise farm animals (if you're not vegetarian). The area might be too boring for a single person though (wineries and fresh produce will be a novelty initially then it's not that fun afterwards). I also hear there's also a lot of meth up there, lol.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I would do VA. Helping people that deserve it will pay off in heart healthy ways.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there and welcome.

Just a word of advice regarding your military bennies: my husband is retired Air Force (23 years). Don't think Tricare is the answer to everything. Believe me, you want a primary insurance. Unless you have a service-connected disability, be aware that though you can REGISTER with the VA, you can not use their services except for pharmacy (and that is often space-A).

I'm also a vet but hubs and I make way too much to even be considered for VA care.

Don't dismiss benefits....best wishes finding what you want.

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I were single with no other family obligations, I would use travel/location as a major decision-making factor. For instance, I'd work in Lake Tahoe for sure!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Cardiac/Renal, Ortho,FNP.

Hmmm...if you are "normal" (yes, that has now become a qualifier in my book) I know my clinic chain in Texas/Fl would probably pay your asking price but 2-3 pts/hr not likely maybe 5 (pain mgmt) and 5 days/wk plus 1 wk call/yr. I know a place in Oklahoma that you could manage a 4 day/wk in a small town at a community clinic, low pressure and great people for $95-100K IF you're easy to work with. You'd get bored with the town but it's right in the middle between OKC and DFW. You'd better like summer heat. On the deep end keep heading north of Seattle to Alaska where I've seen job offers there above $130k/yr.

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NOT Ohio - 12 years experience an a NP and making $82,000/year (yes that's average for this area.) Granted benefits are included but pay still sucks.

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Hi Tony,

In Fort Worth area of Texas there are clinics that will start you out at $53/hr working Monday-Friday, no call, no weekends. Pretty low stress. I work in a testosterone clinic, can you believe that? I never thought I would ever do something like that, but, where I work we double as a PCP and that makes it OK in my book. Texas is pretty nice. I grew up in California and then joined the Navy as a sub guy. I have been all over the states and I enjoy living here now. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi Tony-

Rhode island is a good place for NPs. Pay is good, it's an independent practice state, and it's a nice place to live. Providence is a cool little city and Boston is close by. Cons-cost of living is kind of high and there's winter.

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Just as the lion goes to where the zebras are, go to Florida.

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Hi Tony -

First of all, thank you for your service to our country. It's an honor to live in a country that is free and secure thanks to those who have served in our armed services. Next, I was in a similar situation (wife was open to moving anywhere in the country when I graduated) and so I looked around. A lot. I found several areas in the country that offered some great opportunities as someone starting out. When I looked, I considered things like cost of living vs. salary (to this end, $90k a year in Seattle is a joke and barely above poverty line due to the very high cost of living), location, and state stance on advanced nursing practice. Three areas really stood out as promising:

1) Eastern Washington State - Washington State is one of the leading states when it comes to being an NP with regards to practice authority. No collaborative practice agreements, full prescriptive authority, can work outpatient and inpatient settings for the most part. East of the Cascades in Washington affords all of the great things about the state minus the awful rain and ridiculous cost of living you will find in the Seattle region.

2) Colorado Springs, CO - housing is very affordable for the size of house you get. Colorado has some pretty nice practice authority as well. Salaries aren't bad considering cost of living, and the area is fantastic for outdoors, being a military-centric area (which might be a perk for you).

3) Reno, NV - the town speaks for itself. Practice authority is great. Might be a stellar area for someone who is single and might enjoy the finer aspects of what the town has to offer. Salaries will offer you some comfort.

Good luck in your search!

If this doesn't work, there are loads of travel assignments you might do. My recommendation, though, is to fine a place that offers great collaboration for 1-2 years to give you your bearings and then look around.

Darth Practicus, FNP

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How can I get in touch with ya?

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