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I have an interview on Thursday for a NP position in a local ER. I graduated back in May of 2008 and I have no NP experience. Many of you are probably wondering why not. I'll tell you why. I have a great job as a RN working as a Community Health Nurse with the military. I work independently, great hours, great benefits...I have a young family, and it was great for my family at the time with my husband being active duty Army. In addition, I had a baby 6 months ago, and at the time, it was great for me, because I was able to stay and was paid full maternity leave for 12 weeks after giving birth. Throughout that time I was told that a NP position would be offered to me at the facility I am employed at. I have been here over three years. Circumstances have made me realize that it is time to move on. I won't go any further. I applied for a NP position at a local ER about 1 1/2 months ago. Well, I received a phone call tonight from the medical director that he wants to meet with me. His last comment to me on the phone was, "Your only detriment is that you have zero experience. However, I would still like to meet with you this Thursday." How do I overcome this in our meeting on Thursday? I have STRONG clinical skills. In fact, more than 1/2 of my clinical rotations took place in an urgent care clinic in a rival emergency room about 30 minutes away. Do I mention that to him? I know I have been working in an office type setting for the past 7 years, but I have over 10 years of emergency room experience. Doesn't that count for something? I'm not real strong on selling myself to others. I'm one of those shy, low self-esteem types that seems to back off when cornered. If he were to ask any of the command staff at my current facility about me, I would get raving reviews, but I don't know how to praise myself for me. Any advice?

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?

Hey now, all I was saying is you don't have to go totally in debt to buy a car you'll love. I was just pointing out that you can buy anything you want if you budget for it long enough and have a plan.

I was actually very pro-active in obtaining a job at the military post. I started working for the government when my husband was stationed at Fort Campbell. I called the Director of Nursing office and let them know of my interest. In order to obtain a job with the Army, you have to go through their Civilian Personnel office (CPAC). In addition, you can search www.usajobs.com to find jobs in the area you're stationed. I accepted a temporary position (not to exceed one year) to get "my foot in the door" so to speak. I didn't get benefits like TSP, etc, but I was able to earn leave time during this time. My husband received orders to Germany, and I was able to directly transfer into an ER position there. Once you're in the system, the process if MUCH easier! Contact the civilian personnel center at your post for more information! My husband is still on active duty. He's actually stationed at Fort Rucker now. :) I absolutely LOVE working for the US Army. I don't make as much money as my counterparts on the outside, but the benefits more than make up for what I would be earning. You can't beat it. USA is a great school! I know several people that graduated from their MSN program in our area. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. I've been working for the US Army for many years, and the retirement options is unbelievable. The good thing to remember too is that even if I'm working for the Army, all of my time would transfer if I decided to begin working for the Navy, Air Force or the VA. That in itself is awesome in my opinion! PLUS, who can argue working 0730-1615 every day?

I graduated in May and tested in September. I haven't gotten a license because I'm still working as a RN. Pay in Alabama stinks, and I'm making more as a RN than I would be as FNP. However, I am about to apply for TN APN licensure because of a pending opening at my current facility (federal system). I'm excited!

I wouldn't do anything differently. I think if you go into a specialty or get an advanced degree based on what YOU want to do and not on the amount of money you'll be paid for doing it, then you will be happy. Career choices made on salary are usually ones in which the person burns out quickly and is happy. There are few cases where someone goes in for the money and they're actually happy with their choice. this is only my opinion of course.

This statement is totally NOT true. Why you ask? Because I had a BMW in FNP school, and I only financed 10k of it. It was a brand new 2006 BMW 325xi loaded to the gills with GPS and Premium package. You can buy any car you want if you budget for it. I'm living proof.

I worked full-time and went to FNP school full-time. I was enrolled in an online FNP course so I worked M-F and then completed clinical rotations on the weekends. During my Peds and OB rotation, I took leave to complete my clinical rotation. It is extremely hard to do, but it can be done. I remember apologizing to my husband and our son repeatedly for not being around, but it was only 5 semesters. I made it by telling myself over and over again that I can do anything for 5 semesters.

I am married to an active duty service member in the Army. We were living in Germany when we received orders to our next duty station. I immediately researched FNP programs in the area we were headed and applied to a program there. When we arrived in May 2006, I found a job and began working at the Army clinic. I started my FNP program in August 2006. I graduated with my MSN, FNP track in May 2008. I never skipped a beat. My suggestion is to start AS SOON as you get to your next duty station. Then you won't have to worry with having to disenroll and transferring credits. I did have challenges of not knowing anyone in the area, but I found that once I found several preceptors, they were great and worked with me. My professors were instrumental in assisting me with finding preceptors and clinical locations for my clinical experiences. It will all work out. If you have questions, feel free to ask away!

I am a Federal employee. I love working for the government. The pay may not be comparable to other NPs in the civilian sector, but there are several perks to working for the government. 1. Retirement options are great 2. Thrift Savings Plan is a great way to invest in retirement 3. Paid Federal holidays with options to use leave on DONSAs to make easy 4-day weekends 4. Between 4-8 hours of annual leave accrued every 2 weeks and 4 hours of sick leave accrued every 2 weeks (annual leave amount is based on time in service - I get 6 hours with 6 years of service currently) 5. Annual wage increases 6. Some locations offer incentive bonuses for retention of up to 25% of current base salary 7. If you choose to move, the government covers all moving costs and provides you with a dislocation allowance to off-set moving costs I LOVE it!

I didn't put my GPAs on my resume. I was actually told by several prospective employers that they liked my resume because I didn't. They both voiced in the interview that GPA means nothing to them. I actually agree.

My husband and I are looking into retirement locations. He has 18 years with the US Army and will be retiring at 22 years. So far, we've identified NE Texas and the Fayetteville, AR areas as possibilities for retirement. Does anyone know the salary averages for these two areas? THANKS!

I wanted to update everyone on the status of the LPN instructor position I applied for at a local community college. I applied, interview with four different interviewers and was offered the job. I declined it, because I was a little shocked at the starting pay. Requirements included 5 years of nursing experience, teaching experience and a MSN degree. I have all of these and was offered 38k for a 9 month assignment at 47k for a 12 months assignment. I couldn't justify leaving my job as a RN (not a FNP) where I am currently making 60k working M-F from 730-1615 with no weekend call and federal holidays off. Plus the benefits at my current job are unbelievable as well. Did this offer seem low to any of you? Is that average? I just wanted to know the general consensus.

Okay, so I applied for a position as a Practical Nursing Instructor position at a local community college. I got a call today that they wanted to interview me, and I have to bend someone's ear about this! The secretary set up my interview time for next week and told me the first part of the interview would be questions/answers with 4 panel members and directly following this, I would be required to demonstrate a basic nursing skill of their choice. Does anyone have any idea what they might ask me to demonstrate? I was thinking bed making, bed baths, med administration...any other ideas? I really have no idea how to prepare for this interview. I feel that I have a lot to offer with my previous nursing experience, my enthusiasm and my ability to stay positive, but I have no idea what they are looking for! Any ideas on how to help? Thanks!

The same hospital hiring for this job, hired for a family practice position in the town I live in, and they offered a new NP there 62k annually. However, it is a family practice clinic. I'm hoping I will at least get more than that. I'm going to just see what they have to say and go from there.