Beef

I see 20-28 patients per day. Walk-ins for the first 2 hours then scheduled patients. 15 minute slots for routine OV's; more for chest pain, GYN and physicals. I am paid based on productivity but there is an absolute base that is pre-negotiated so I don't dip TOO low.

And yes, my decision may be made for me by what is available here. THANK YOU for all of your thoughts and advice!

I became an NP with the mindframe of leaving the acute care setting- with the goal of working as an NP in a clinic (or atleast in a role that is not 100% inpatient)... I honestly could be happy doing many different things (specialties, primary care, etc). I think your point, pinoyNP, is well taken about losing your skills- that is my primary concern. I just need to pin down which patient population I most want to work with and go from there. Perhaps I have made my decision with that very statement- start with PC then move to a specialty later on... My husband and I will be moving in 4 years, so I will definitely be job hunting again in the near future.

I am in a similar situation in terms of the job market and have been applying to literally everything. A second question would be what advice do you have about ways to really make yourself standout as a new grad. I have been highlighting my GPA, prior RN experience, other credentials, and grad school clinical experience. Every resume submitted with a cover letter individualized for the position... following up with a phone call one week after submission.

Hello All: I am currently hunting for my first NP job- graduated December 2006. Was wondering what the general concensus was about starting in internal medicine/family practice versus taking a specialty job fresh out of school. I have heard arguments for both and wanted to hear what you all think. Thanks! PS: I am an FNP grad.

I was a second degree BSN. Worked for one year as an RN in critical care before starting my core course requirements. I completed my MSN-FNP this December with 3.5 years of RN experience under my belt, all in critical care. I worked full time while going to school part time. It was not easy, particularly when clinicals began, but I had so much vacation time saved that I took one vacation day a week and switched to weekends. I was on 80% scholarship from my hospital (university affiliated) so my debt is very low. I only took out loans for my last semester to go part-time at work (which meant that I lost my scholarship, but gave me the time to focus on learning). I was at a private institution, so the tuition that semester was ~$7000. Hope this helps!

Don't undercut yourself by trying to get into the easiest NP school possible... that may not translate into good training and may affect you for your first few years professionally. Choose a safety school, but also try for some harder programs as well- perhaps even some nationally recognized schools, especially since you don't care where you move. You may be suprised- you never know what kind of response you may get. I agree with the rec to get your BSN (I would imagine most MSN programs require that anyways) and work for at least one year. You may even want to find a job in a hospital that has an academic affiliation- they may offer tuition reimbursement or scholarship to attend their graduate nursing programs.

I worked full time while completing my FNP program part time. I was a slave to my scholarship (80% scholarship), which, now that I am finished, I am glad I did. However, when clinicals began, I had to work weekends only and take lots of reserved PTO. I have a very supportive husband who was a huge help at home. I have to add- all of us got sick towards the end of the program, so take care of yourself. You have to know what you can manage physically and mentally and you have to work efficiently.