New grad FNP dermatology contract assistance

[MaggieFNP]

Hi, all.

I recently finished my FNP certification and am interested in Dermatology. I've worked in dermatology for 5 years as a medical assistant before going to nursing school because I knew I wanted to do the FNP route instead of PA. My goal all along was to work in Derm as a FNP, and the day has finally come! I've been a nurse for 6 years, and this will be my first NP job.

I have a job offer in Virginia, they sent me a contract this weekend. I currently live in NC. NPs (especially in VA) I need your help!

Concerns:

CME of $1,000/year. I have a FNP friend in VA and an FNP friend in DC who say CME should be more like $1,500-2,000/year based on their experience with cost of actual CMEs. I feel like this is easily something to negotiate, but don't want it to seem like I'm nit-picking?

Other benefits: Aside from CME, they only offer to pay for malpractice. They offer 401K after 1 year. I get it, we both need to know this is a good fit. Investments. No biggie. BUT, they also do not offer health insurance, but are "looking at plans for next year". Right now I'm in NC and the cheapest plan I can get as a single 34 year old healthy female is $395/mo. I'm a per diem RN right now, which is why I know what this out-of-pocket business looks like. Anyone have their own health insurance in VA that finds this to be a struggle? The fact that being employed in the medical field, there are no healthcare benefits? I found this to be true at a practice in NC and one in GA where I've interviewed as well. But, I digress.

There is no mention of a DEA license. I feel like I should bring this up as part of the negotiation. I mean, working in Derm I'm not going to be writing narcs, but is this a requirement for NPs? I'm sure I can find it on the VA BON website, but I just don't want to end up paying for licensing and fees that should be covered by my employer as part of the job/licensing.

2 weeks vacation (80hr), 1 week sick days (40hr).. and no weekends, no call and all bank holidays off. I mean, it's Derm. I'm good with all that after floor nursing and working every weekend and holiday for the past 6 years. :)

Salary would be 90K first 6 months, then up to 95K after for the contract (which appears to be a year, but I need to get clarity on that from them). I'm assuming after the year I can negotiate salary more once they (and I) can see my productivity. 95K was my goal as a new grad, but the more I talk to other NPs they say you should expect to make at least 1/3 of what you bring in. Some have asked me to ask about incentive bonuses or productivity bonuses.

I'm just thinking of asking to increase CME to 2K, ask about DEA/licensing fee reimbursement, and maybe ask for a relocation bonus?

Right now I'm just like: 1) I'm so glad to start my career in dermatology. 2) they only expect me to see 35-40 patients a day, not 40-50 a day like other Derm practices, which is pretty huge to me because I'd like to actually spend more than 5 mins with each patient, even if it's just a quick eczema follow up or a more involved full skin exam with biopsies.

They have never had a NP before, only one PA. So, we are all learning right now.. they are excited to have me because I can staff their satellite office as the sole provider, which is a good deal for them. I know the value of a NP, as do they. I just don't want to get stiffed on my first job, but I also don't want to seem super demanding because I also don't have any insight on what needs to be in my contract. I'd love to stay there for 20 years and have it be an investment for both of us. Any help regarding this seemingly slippery slope would be helpful!

Thanks!!

Maggie