Do FNP's really make 80k to 90k a year?

Specialties NP

Published

Hi everyone,

I was talking to my aunt who is an FNP, but she mostly teaches and does research. She was telling me that FNP's make 80k-90k a year and that FNP's are going to be really in demand when health care reform kicks in. I told her I wanted to be a PNP, NNP, or a midwife. She told me that PNP's don't make as much money, that is hard to break into the neonatal specialty, and that midwifes are only really needed in Kentucky. I really want to work with babies and/or children because I just LOVE them. So I was just curious about how hard it is to break into these specialties and I'm curious about general salary ranges. I'm not expecting to make a ton of money as a nurse I just want to love the work I do. Thanks in advance!

most np's have their malpractice ins. paid for, but the policies are not that much. the premiums are more on par with full coverage car ins. than physician malpractice fees. as for cnm, aside from crna, those ins. premiums are going to be the highest. as i said in another thread, i think cnm's are great, but due to the litigious nature of society, i think a nurse would be crazy to do it. when you see physicians running from something, you probably should too.

i have been intending to find out exactly what would cost me for awhile now, so i called nso just a couple of hours ago. fnps in my state would pay approx. $1300/year, anps would pay just under $800/year. the most expensive, as i'm sure most would guess, would be the ob specialty at approx. $2000/year.

i also asked if there was much difference between my state and others, and was told that my state has the highest premiums for the same amount of coverage when comparing the same specialties.

0 Votes
Specializes in FNP.

In my area a staff nurse is going to top out in the 50s and a NP will be upper 60s. Personally, I didn't go back to school for money, I went back to learn a new profession and meet new people, etc. I'd have done it even if it paid less than staff nursing. The money is immaterial, I just thought it sounded like an interesting job with lots of opportunity. I was right!

0 Votes
In my area a staff nurse is going to top out in the 50s and a NP will be upper 60s. Personally, I didn't go back to school for money, I went back to learn a new profession and meet new people, etc. I'd have done it even if it paid less than staff nursing. The money is immaterial, I just thought it sounded like an interesting job with lots of opportunity. I was right!

That's great for you. Some of us can't afford for money to be immaterial.

0 Votes

You can do travel nursing (called locum tenens) as a Nurse Practitioner as well. I went to school for FNP in CO and figured out afterwards that there are no jobs, or just PT or very low paying jobs (lower or same as RN).

Traveling as a NP I think is also better then traveling as a RN. As a RN you pretty much are stuck with 13 week contracts. As a NP you choose how long you want to go, if you need time off in between, etc. I have worked as little as 4 days to as long as 5.5 months. And almost ALL of them ask you to go perm (unless they just need vaca coverage) but you are not obligated unless you decide you love it and want to stay there.

I have worked all over the place and licensed in 5 states + 1 expired.

They usually pay for all your licenses, travel, malpractice, housing, and often they will pay for rental car or a car allowance. Most will also pay for your gas (if a short stent few weeks) and luggage fees.

I calculated I made 70k last year NOT including my travel, housing, etc. and I only worked 24 weeks.

There are downsides, you are continually packing your suitcase, have to pay for your own CME and vacations, health insurance, etc. (but most of that you can deduct on taxes)

It is a great way to pay off student loans and see the country!! How many jobs pay for a great apartment directly on the beach??

It is also a great way to get a wide variety of experience and really figure out what exactly you want to do. I've done rural pediatrics, family camp, college health, ER, urgent care, occ med, family practice, anesthesia/pre-op.

0 Votes
You can do travel nursing (called locum tenens) as a Nurse Practitioner as well. I went to school for FNP in CO and figured out afterwards that there are no jobs, or just PT or very low paying jobs (lower or same as RN).

Traveling as a NP I think is also better then traveling as a RN. As a RN you pretty much are stuck with 13 week contracts. As a NP you choose how long you want to go, if you need time off in between, etc. I have worked as little as 4 days to as long as 5.5 months. And almost ALL of them ask you to go perm (unless they just need vaca coverage) but you are not obligated unless you decide you love it and want to stay there.

I have worked all over the place and licensed in 5 states + 1 expired.

They usually pay for all your licenses, travel, malpractice, housing, and often they will pay for rental car or a car allowance. Most will also pay for your gas (if a short stent few weeks) and luggage fees.

I calculated I made 70k last year NOT including my travel, housing, etc. and I only worked 24 weeks.

There are downsides, you are continually packing your suitcase, have to pay for your own CME and vacations, health insurance, etc. (but most of that you can deduct on taxes)

It is a great way to pay off student loans and see the country!! How many jobs pay for a great apartment directly on the beach??

It is also a great way to get a wide variety of experience and really figure out what exactly you want to do. I've done rural pediatrics, family camp, college health, ER, urgent care, occ med, family practice, anesthesia/pre-op.

Great information. Thanks!

Question: Is it the agency or facility that pays for ?

0 Votes
Great information. Thanks!

Question: Is it the agency or facility that pays for malpractice insurance?

The agency that hires you. AND I always ask for a copy because the next place you work for always wants ALL the malpractice insurances you have ever had.

In addition I have my own, I feel its safer that way. My own malpractice will protect ME without worrying about the hospital or the agency! Its about 1500/year and tax deductible!

0 Votes
The agency that hires you. AND I always ask for a copy because the next place you work for always wants ALL the malpractice insurances you have ever had.

In addition I have my own, I feel its safer that way. My own malpractice will protect ME without worrying about the hospital or the agency! Its about 1500/year and tax deductible!

Thanks! That's what I was thinking when I asked question. Plus, I would still want to be covered in between jobs.

0 Votes
Thanks! That's what I was thinking when I asked question. Plus, I would still want to be covered in between jobs.

Yes, and for volunteer work. I would think one would be covered volunteering under good Samaritan but you never know.

0 Votes
Yes, and for volunteer work. I would think one would be covered volunteering under good Samaritan but you never know.

Not sure about that, but if you have your own insurance there's no need to worry. :)

0 Votes
Specializes in FNP.
That's great for you. Some of us can't afford for money to be immaterial.

Yes, this is why I said "Personally." As in, speaking only for myself. Not speaking for anyone else. My words apply only to me. My words do not apply to you. Personally. My person. No one else's. Do not infer from my statements, prefaced "personally," that I am implying anything about you. Or anyone else. I am only speaking of my perspective. I refer only to my experience. I am not assuming anything about anyone else's. I guess sometimes "personally" means YOU. I didn't not mean you, I meant me, personally. Sorry for the confusion. :lol:

0 Votes
Yes, this is why I said "Personally." As in, speaking only for myself. Not speaking for anyone else. My words apply only to me. My words do not apply to you. Personally. My person. No one else's. Do not infer from my statements, prefaced "personally," that I am implying anything about you. Or anyone else. I am only speaking of my perspective. I refer only to my experience. I am not assuming anything about anyone else's. I guess sometimes "personally" means YOU. I didn't not mean you, I meant me, personally. Sorry for the confusion. :lol:

Can we say, "over the top?" :rolleyes:

0 Votes
Yes, this is why I said "Personally." As in, speaking only for myself. Not speaking for anyone else. My words apply only to me. My words do not apply to you. Personally. My person. No one else's. Do not infer from my statements, prefaced "personally," that I am implying anything about you. Or anyone else. I am only speaking of my perspective. I refer only to my experience. I am not assuming anything about anyone else's. I guess sometimes "personally" means YOU. I didn't not mean you, I meant me, personally. Sorry for the confusion. :lol:

Dang. I WISH you were talking about me.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment