NP

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jun 11, 2020

1 minute ago, babyNP. said:
Thanks for sharing. I guess my field is the lone holdout? Although the board exams don't require NICU experience, all of the schools that offer neonatal NP programs do and nearly all require at least 2 years experience (I have a spreadsheet that I created looking at this).

It's hard to saturate NNP because you absolutely need strong interest in order to get those 2+ years of NICU experience, and there just aren't many NNP programs out there to begin with (e.g. I think there's only 1 NNP program in my state and we have 8+ NP schools not including online schools).

babyNP., APRN · Jun 11, 2020

2 minutes ago, umbdude said:
It's hard to saturate NNP because you absolutely need strong interest in order to get those 2+ years of NICU experience, and there just aren't many NNP programs out there to begin with (e.g. I think there's only 1 NNP program in my state and we have 8+ NP schools not including online schools).

True. There's only 38 schools +/- each year. There was a period a few years back when a bunch shut down but we've had some new ones open since.

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 13, 2020

I'm a newish NP. Started my first job in October 2019.

I work in family practice.

Better pay and better quality of life than hospital RN (did that for 9 years).

No regrets here.

verene, MSN · Jun 13, 2020

On 6/11/2020 at 12:31 PM, umbdude said:
This isn't entirely true anymore. Jobs are there, but the number of PMHNP test-takers tripled between 2016-2019 and number of PMHNP-BC doubled during same period (per ANCC). My area doesn't have a shortage and it's not easy to find jobs, and I'm hearing the same from those in larger cities. I am a new grad psych NP have been aggressively looking.

Yes, and unfortunately many of those coming in don't necessarily have a great understanding of what they are getting into with psych or are only wanting the "cushy" psych jobs -- which are actually not as easy to get as a newbie. I'm thankful I did my research before hand and chose a school that has both a good reputation and which sets students some pretty realistic expectations of first jobs.

Hoping some of those going into the field for the money or because "psych is easy" will leave and that will help some of the saturation issues. In the mean time though I worry what it will do to our patients who need people who CARE and who WANT to work in this field, and to PMHNP salaries and reputations.

I'm a new grad as well and I LOVE my job (most days at least... this last week was really, really rough), but I also knew what I was getting into and had fairly reasonable expectations. At my current employer people tend to either last less than a year because they aren't prepared for the population/workload/realities of this setting/population or 5+ years because it actually is a pretty darn good place to work if you like the patient population. It's rather polarizing that way. I'm almost a year in and can pretty easily see myself sticking around several more years.

If you are wiling to relocate I do know of a few places hiring, but the market is definitely dried up with COVID right now.

To the OP: I do make more as an NP than I did as an RN but there is definitely an invisible toll in the weight of responsibility to your patients and to the staff you work with that I don't think many realize comes with the leadership role of NP. You have to WANT the NP role and not just the NP money. On the best days I'd be completely fine doing this job for RN pay. On the worst days... you will completely understand why you can't do this job for money alone as it will never fully compensate the heavy, invisible toll of the work.

Scrubsof3, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 14, 2020

On 6/9/2020 at 2:21 AM, babyNP. said:
I would argue that it depends on what kind of NP you want to be. PMHNP has a shortage and pays well, for example.
It’s true that if you wait a long time to become a NP you may not make much more $$ but not if you’re only a few years in. I made about $75k as a RN in the NICU in 2014 and my first job as a NNP I got paid $95k. Now my base salary is $160k, much more than I’d ever make as a RN.
But there’s also lifestyle to consider as well. I’m less stressed out as a provider than as a nurse. This may seem ironic, but in the provider role I’m cushioned from the daily stresses of being “on” with parents my entire shift (I love talking with parents but some parents can be a bit draining and spending 30 minutes with one set is different than spending 12 hours with them), don’t have to ask permission to go to the bathroom, and it’s nice to have my own office to have some downtime. Plus I get much better parking and my paid time off is at the top of the accrual scale versus if I was a nurse I’d have to wait 10 years to get to that accrual.
As far as the school goes, you need to do your research and go to a reputable school. I chose a brick and mortar one that fully arranged my clinical sites. I think it’s downright criminal that schools take student money and then don’t set up clinical sites for them.

Hi does anybody mind sharing a couple of good schools with good good NP programs, now I’m not sure so I continue my education

Guest1144461 · Jun 14, 2020

1 hour ago, Scrubsof3 said:
Hi does anybody mind sharing a couple of good schools with good good NP programs, now I’m not sure so I continue my education

Too vague. What are you willing to pay? Are you willing to move?

verene, MSN · Jun 14, 2020

12 hours ago, Numenor said:
Too vague. What are you willing to pay? Are you willing to move?

^ This. Which specialty are you looking for? Budget range? Able to relocate? Online vs hybrid vs brick-and-mortar? Part-time vs full-time?

There are a number of variable to consider.

I'm happy to recommend schools that stood out to me as I was doing my search for PMHNP programs, but I was primarily looking at B&M schools, full-time programs, and willing to relocate (and ultimately did move to a new state). So this may or may not have relevance to you.

babyNP., APRN · Jun 14, 2020

It would also depend on what type of program you want to do, some schools have stronger reputations for some programs than others.

Scrubsof3, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 15, 2020

Hello.... I am unable to relocate at this time. I would prefer a B& M but online is an option. I am interested in pith PT & FT programs. Thanks for responding & sharing ?

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jun 15, 2020

On 6/13/2020 at 4:50 PM, verene said:
Yes, and unfortunately many of those coming in don't necessarily have a great understanding of what they are getting into with psych or are only wanting the "cushy" psych jobs -- which are actually not as easy to get as a newbie. I'm thankful I did my research before hand and chose a school that has both a good reputation and which sets students some pretty realistic expectations of first jobs.
Hoping some of those going into the field for the money or because "psych is easy" will leave and that will help some of the saturation issues. In the mean time though I worry what it will do to our patients who need people who CARE and who WANT to work in this field, and to PMHNP salaries and reputations.
I'm a new grad as well and I LOVE my job (most days at least... this last week was really, really rough), but I also knew what I was getting into and had fairly reasonable expectations. At my current employer people tend to either last less than a year because they aren't prepared for the population/workload/realities of this setting/population or 5+ years because it actually is a pretty darn good place to work if you like the patient population. It's rather polarizing that way. I'm almost a year in and can pretty easily see myself sticking around several more years.
If you are wiling to relocate I do know of a few places hiring, but the market is definitely dried up with COVID right now.

Thanks Verene. I'm with you on all that and I appreciate your help. I've just graduated and passed my board within the last month so I'm still trying to find something in my area first. I have a couple of possibilities so hopefully one of them will pan out.

Do you do any outpatient clinic work? If you do maybe I can PM you with some questions. My plan was originally do FT or PT outpatient and pick up a PRN at a correctional facility. That facility approached me a month before I graduated and they told me to reach out to them when I pass board. Unfortunately, by the time I did, the jobs were gone (all within 4 weeks).

**CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN** · Jun 15, 2020

I can speak a little to PMHNP although I am not one. My city (large-ish city in New England) has an absolutely desperate shortage of psychiatric prescribers/providers. If you have the degree and a heartbeat, we want you. I am speaking from the perspective of an FQHC who constantly has job ads up. When we (the RNs) complain about our patients being unable to get Psych outpatient care, we are told that our clinic is trying to hire, as are all of the other similar clinics in town, but the providers do not exist. It’s FQHC work, so it may not pay well at all (I get paid well but I don’t know what the providers get) but the market is definitely not saturated in my location and for that particular field.

verene, MSN · Jun 15, 2020

9 hours ago, umbdude said:
Do you do any outpatient clinic work? If you do maybe I can PM you with some questions. My plan was originally do FT or PT outpatient and pick up a PRN at a correctional facility. That facility approached me a month before I graduated and they told me to reach out to them when I pass board. Unfortunately, by the time I did, the jobs were gone (all within 4 weeks).

Umbdude-- Unfortunately I'm in inpatient/forensics so my exposure to outpatient/clinic work is limited. I'd still reach out to the Correctional facility about PRN positions - even if they don't have any positions now -- they may have a position open down the road.

If you do want to know more about the inpatient world feel free to send me a PM (so we don't further derail this thread). Good luck in your search!