Professional Advice Needed

[lsutigerrn]

So, I recevied my ANCC certification as a FNP last September. I haven't been practicing as an APN because I got pregnant and wanted to stay in my RN position to use up my sick leave before moving to a new job. Well, I return to my RN job on Monday after 8 weeks of maternity leave.

I received an offer to work as the sole NP in a busy, 3 physician OB/GYN practice. My work week would consist of 4 full days, no call, no weekends (for now). This is subject to change over the next 6 months to years. The practice has never hired an APN so this is new not only to them but also to me. I have the state licensure application and I understand what needs to go on, but I am seriously confused when it comes to provider numbers for Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross, etc.

How do I apply for those provider numbers? Who do I contact to get that going? The office manager in the practice said I needed to start getting these things together, but I don't know where to start. My colleagues are telling me its the office manager's job to request those numbers. This is CONFUSING!

I also don't know where to start when it comes to a contract. I have read the previous posts to try and get a little information on what to ask for...

1. I'm making 62k now as a RN in a M-F position with the federal gov't. I don't want to leave my current job, but I need to get some APN experience under my belt. I told the employer today I wanted 65k. I low-balled myself and I'm kicking myself because I left ZERO room for negotiations. I should have gone for 70k, but its too late.

2. They are going to pay malpractice insurance as a writer policy under their existing policy. Not sure I like that, but that's what was offered.

3. I want to ask for CME days off with money, but I have no idea what is fair to them and to me.

4. They offer 2 weeks of PTO that begins to accrue after the first 90 days.

5. Medical insurance and dental offered but not great coverage. However, I don't need those b/c I have insurance under the gov't (we're military) so I won't ask for that.

6. I will be working M, Tu, Th and Fri from 8-5. No weekends, call or rounds in the beginning. 8 paid holidays during the year.

Am I missing anything? If they don't offer a contract, should I draft one myself?

[Sheri FNP-C]

First of all, one of my friends blurted out a way to low salary during an interview. Upon receiving an offer for the amount she asked for, she drafted a nice letter stating that she hadn't really thought about a fair salary prior to the interview and after doing some research she couldn't accept that salary, rather she felt a salary of X was more appropriate. The practice quickly raised their offer to her new minimum. You may also have room to negotiate since you won't require medical benefits. Maybe you could negotiate for them to pay for your own malpractice ins. or something else in lieu of the medical benefits.

I had a job offer in OB/GYN that offerred $3500 CME b/c there is so much to learn (IUD insertion, colposcopy, endo biopsies, etc.) They actual felt that I would exceed the 1 week time off and $3500 for CME the first couple of years, but since they were sending me they would pay anyway.

The job I actually took is in pediatrics. I have $1,000 CME/yr and NO CME time off. I do have a 4 day workweek with 4 weeks vaca and 6 or 8 holidays so I didn't mind not having the CME time.

I did get my own ins., NPI number, DEA number, and hospital credentialing. I started the tedious process of trying to figure out how to do the ins. credentialing when my new employer told me that it is way to complex for a provider to do themselves. Instead the company that does their billing takes care of credentialing. For my small practice, I had to sign at least 50 different forms that the billing company would then complete and submit with copies of lots of the paperwork they requested from me. I hope that this office only wanted you to start compiling your paperwork (license, certification, dea, college diplomas, etc) not actually start the ins. credentialing!!!!!!!!!

I don't know where you live, but the offer really doesn't sound that appealing. I live in a very NP oversaturated area with low, low salaries and feel that my offer as a new grad is much better. I only say this to encourage you not to short change yourself. If this isn't the right offer for you, just wait a little longer and something will appear!

Oh lastly, yes...you want a contract with everything in writing so the expectations are clear for both sides! Even though this practice has never hired an NP before, if they have ever hired a Dr. I am sure they know they should provide you with a written contract.

Good luck and keep us posted!