Nurse practitioner- best jobs

[GEB16]

So, I graduated from NP school about a year ago and took a job at a family practice. I like family practice okay, but I took a lower salary because I thought this particular job would have more flexibility with hours, days, ect. Well... I was wrong. They strictly want me to work 8-6pm. I have young kids and really need more flexibility. I'm even interested in part time but they don't offer that and with my $40/hr, it's really not an option financially. Any input on NP jobs that are a little less stressful and more flexible??? I've considered hospice, home health, ect. My background as a RN was ICU. I want to hear some personal stories before I consider quitting my current job. 

[aok7, NP]

I would look at how much money you are bringing to the practice and then consider your $40 hourly pay.  I believe this information alone will highlight the type of employer you are working for. The only advice I have is to consider your value as a provider, as you carry the ability to bill for your services.  This is inherently different from our time as nurses, as money would flow whether we were there or not because providers billed for service regardless.  MDs and somehow PAs are trained in a culture where they KNOW their value.  We bill just the same, but as you know there is a lot of discussion about this so I will not digress...Your employer probably knows there are NPs who are begging for jobs I would imagine, and here is the point that we have to own this.  If there are options in your area, I suggest applying and checking out what is available.  When you are in a place of feeling an option (or options I hope), you could sit down with your employer and simply put on the table your monetary value. They may prefer to pay you part-time hours:)

As for practice setting, I am in specialty and find a lot of autonomy yet collaboration, professional challenge, and respect.  It is what I am looking for in a job. I am paid upper end NP range salary with all the benefits.  I feel so fortunate, but I had to make sacrifices to get here...more internal med first job (but I was paid fairly) and I did move to a new region of the country for my first NP job and also my now dream job I moved to an area I would not otherwise live.  Come to think of it in my group of 7 physicians and 2 NPs there is only one NP who did not move to work where we do.  I have plenty of vacation time, negotiated that, so I travel back "home" every 3-4 months.  There's something to everything, it's very personal, but I do appreciate specialty practice which you may enjoy given your background in ICU...targeted depth like that. 

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

So you are working 50 hours a week making only $40/hr? 

Well, that is your first problem. You took a job that clearly does not value NPs. If you are looking for work-life balance, I would try for an urgent care or retail clinic; they work typically 30-36 hours per weeks with some weekends, but the pay is higher and you will have fewer work days and more money.