First job woes

Specialties NP

Published

Hey all. New AGACNP here and been looking for the "ideal" job for a couple months. Was wondering if anyone has any tips for negotiation or opinions of it for a new grad?

I've been offered a position in a hospital surgical ICU group and honestly it is a job I really feel would help me grow into this career and I'd enjoy it. However, I can't see myself accepting the job and its responsibilities at the offered salary (less than 100k, 97k and change).

I'm thinking of how to, respectfully, counter offer but wonder how it should be worded. Classmates of mine have received offers at other facilities in the same state for around 105k and one even greater then 115k.

Opinions, ideas, or conversation?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Which is definitely livable. I'm going to counter and see.

Ok but doesn't explain why it would make sense to move 1,000 +/- miles from your home and professional contacts to work for a similar rate.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Ok but doesn't explain why it would make sense to move 1,000 +/- miles from your home and professional contacts to work for a similar rate.

Your opinion makes sense, and I value it (was actually hoping for you to come back to this forum); but I am looking to leave Florida. There is nothing in this state making me want to stay put. I feel this hospital will continue growing my knowledge and support me in this new role. I will be in the ICU where I desire to be. I think it is a good set up for my future endeavors.

Would I like more money (in comparison to COL), of course. But my options are to either take this, get experience and become a skilled provider - or continue in my same role as an RN and hope to find a job that will 1) pay well 2) provide a good learning environment 3) be in critical care and 4) be in an area I would enjoy living.

I think my list of requirements for a job is far too large to also expect top rank pay while having no experience. I know I can do the job and feel 6 month orientation is far from necessary, however, I'm sure more than a handful of new grad NPs have been let lose that didnt fit the bill. I find it hard to really bat for "great" pay with no experience or proof of abilities.

Also I am by no means trying to be dismissive or appear to not value what you say. Just my thoughts here currently as a new acute care NP trying to get in a small group of critical care APPs. I'm sure if I opened my net wider and 'settled' for emergency or even hospitalist positions I'd have more options but i would not enjoy being in those environments.

Really feel these conversations and forums are important for new NPs. It really is not something fully discussed through school and our salaries should not remain a secret as we are worth more than what we are offered (in my opinion).

I feel right now I am going to have to sacrifice a cush salary for an amazing experience and growth in skill. I have applications all throughout the states and there has not been an abundance of interest; whether it is due to me being out of state or a lack of experience as a new NP I'm not sure but it is the reality.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Ohhhh, if you are looking to get out of Florida anyway and really want ICU this would be an excellent opportunity. I think Baltimore is a great city with plenty of hospitals should you decide to move jobs later. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Ohhhh, if you are looking to get out of Florida anyway and really want ICU this would be an excellent opportunity. I think Baltimore is a great city with plenty of hospitals should you decide to move jobs later. Best of luck and please keep us posted.

I've sent a counter offer and am waiting for them to consider it. I'll post an update and maybe even the counter I proposed (to be critiqued and potentially help others in similar positions) once I receive word from the company.

Thanks for being so candid in your pursuit being a new grad on the job hunt.

If you are indeed a new nurse practitioner, the pay you've been offered may well be fair and reasonable. There are some other things to take into consideration.

1) Is the ~97K the cash portion alone or is it your entire package? Someti

2) Is your health insurance covered? Other insurance such as life, dental, disability, etc.?

3) Is there a retirement plan included? 401K with some level of matching?

4) What kind of paid time off is offered? Vacation? Sick days?

5) Is there payment for continuing education?

I'd recommend going to Salary.com - Salary Calculator, Salary Comparison, Compensation Data and looking to see what the median salary is for nurse practitioners in your area. In my neck of the woods, the median salary for a nurse practitioner in primary care is ~95K. So as a new nurse practitioner, you'd expect to get lower pay than that; the 25th percentile is ~88K and the 75th percentile is ~103K. Someone with higher levels of experience would expect more than just 95K.

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