angel549

Whew, that makes me feel better! Hospitalist internal medicine is different from FP because we are responsible for everything on that huge problem list. (or at least referring to a specialty group) Also in the hospital: admits, dictating H&P's on new admits, dictating discharge summaries on all discharges. And it seems like lately every nursing home pt I go in to see has chest pain, shortness of breath, CHF, K of 6, infected surgical wound, HH of 6.8/18, and abdominal pain. So none are easy, lol. I wish!! Well, I will keep my chin up and give it some time. They should give a class in school about how terrible it feels to go from expert to novice again :) Especially after as long as I stayed a nurse before pursuing this.... Thanks for the insight!

I am a new NP, with 17 yrs acute care hospital nursing experience. My practice is internal medicine "hospitalist". Until my hospital credentials go through, the last 5 weeks I have been in LTC SNF / Rehab/ Nursing homes. We are expected to see 25 pts a day, obviously an industry standard (even though our group has no office/overhead) Either I am the stupidist NP in the world (not likely) or I am in some real trainwreck facilities. I can NOT for life of me no matter what I do see more than 16 pts a day, once I've seen 20. Mind you, we cover more than 5 SNF's. Some days you have to drive to 3 in one day. The residents are NEVER in their room (rehab, smoking, "out on pass with family"), the charts are never there, and if I want my vitals, or blood sugars - I have to go to the nursing carts and look them up. Nothing is computerized. Everything is handwritten. Plus I am taking "call" from 8am-6pm for at least 5 SNF's during the work day. I feel like I will NEVER see that many patients. How in the world? Unless I ignore every problem and write a 2 sentence note? LOL. I am trying to find the balance. How long should it take before I can see 25-30 pts a day? 6 months, a year, now?! I feel like I am not contributing to the group, and it stresses me out. :)

I am in no big hurry, that's for sure. The jobs out there in Florida aren't knocking my socks off with salary, LOL. I am kinda enjoying that 3 day work week right about now...I have a possible job in the works, they are waiting for me to test. I picked ANCC because Mayo Clinic requires this, and since I am in North Florida - I have more options in the future with Mayo if i take the ANCC.

I could take it right away. I just want to study a few weeks....you have a 3 month window if I remember. Plus, I am working full time as an RN - so I had to find time between work and "life" to take the exam!

Question: Since I am new at this, I am looking at #2 under deal-breakers. If a job says "we pay salary. $85K a year, 40 hrs a week in the office, 1 weekend covering the hospital a month, and you will be "on call" that whole weekend (overnight) once a month. All of that is included in the $85K salary" Do most practices give you a salary PLUS pay for weekends/on call?

Graduated May 5, notified of eligibility to test on May 24. My test is scheduled (gulp) June 20th

About to graduate May 5 (FNP program). Quick question: hypothetically speaking, if you had been an RN for 17 years, and now had your FNP degree which of these jobs would you choose? I am torn...well, blessed also! I have an NP job offer for after graduation, and an administrative job offer. I need to choose. #1) NP job, cardiology, $78K, M-F 8-5, every 4th weekend, phone call, 2 weeks vacation, $1500 CME #2) Director of a nursing unit (admin job), $85K, M-F 8:30 - 4:30, no weekends, no holidays, keep my current benefits (6 weeks vacation). I have worked hard through school, I like the NP role, but I also need better flexible "family" hours. The NP job would get my foot into the field. The admin role opens a whole other door, and is more flexible with it's hours. If you were to look back at yourself starting out, and this opportunity came up which would you choose? Just looking for some advice. So happy to be done with school!! PS: I live in Florida

I don't personally agree with the online NP programs. It is late, I have to work in the am, so I can't post any research articles to back my "instinct", haha. It is just a feeling of making the NP degree "cheap and easy". Of course, we all know online programs are not cheap! But supply and demand is REAL. My classroom based University took on 19 students. 3 flunked out / quit within a year. There are only 3 classroom NP schools in northeast Florida, and I am proud to be attending one. Too many important things to "self teach yourself" when it comes to being an NP, IMO. I do know two people who did online NP programs, and both said overall their education felt lacking when it came time to practice. Could have been just them....

Well, I have to say it is all in where you live. I live in the Southeast (Florida) and the only way my recently graduated friends (5 close friends) are finding jobs is by either relocating, or taking very low paying positions. I am about to graduate in May 2012, and I have attended a brick and mortar private university - about $32,000 in student loans. As you can read my my previous post, I have serious doubts about my future. Well, let me correct that, lol. I have doubts as my future as an NP! I will look for a job, slowly and methodically. I will not take the first job offered unless it is everything I want. I will HAPPILY stay a hospital staff / charge nurse because I love it. I LOVE my job, LOVE being a CCRN / cardiac nurse. I have been doing this for 16 years. But I know the market is tight around here in the south, more supply than demand (too many schools, and new online NP schools popping up overnight), less reimbursement for the MD's from Medicare now than even a few years ago = less jobs, less pay. Good luck!!

I TOTALLY agree with NPluvsalsa! GREAT IDEA!!!! I will get a DNP when they require a PA to get a doctorate also! Why the heck not? They pay PA in general more than NP anyway, and we do the same work! This whole 2015 DNP push is crazy. It is a way for schools to make more money. It doesn't provide the NP with more money, in fact pay is decreasing steadily for NPs across the nation. Nursing said in 1996 when I got my BSN that BSN would be the entry point for RNs. States can't agree on nationally equal nurse practice acts, what on earth makes you think they will enforce this?! Of course there will be a grandfathering in of MSN prepared ARNPs - that would be healthcare suicide if they did not. No, save your money unless you just want to do it for your own satisfaction. Let me add, also, that the medical doctors / profession do not own the scholarly title of doctor. By goodness, if I spent the time and money getting a DNP, you will call me doctor :yelclap:

Late in commenting, but this is what I just posted about! I am about to graduate in May 2012. I make $73,000 as a n RN right now, with 8% matching 401K, 6.5 weeks paid vacation. The pay in Florida is anywhere from $60,000 - $78,000. A few hospital ARNPs might get offers of $80K. This is INSULTING people. We do the same dang job as the doctors, and the revenue we generate for the MD and hospital is 4 times our pay.... DON'T SETTLE FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I didn't go for this because of floor nursing burn out. I am mainly a cath lab / ICU nurse and love it! It was the next best step to take in my education path, and it just seemed like the right time. Fortunately for me in Florida, there is no mandatory overtime....unless you are an ARNP, lol! (I call not getting paid overtime mandatory overtime....) I do agree I am interested in using my mind, and that hospital nursing will eventually be very tiring. I have been a nurse for 16 years. But I had consider how to respond to the statement "Wanting to be treated as professionals with respect and fair working conditions". I see less of that extended to ARNPs than floor nurses. Respect is fair payment for the level of experience and education we bring to the table, and equal reimbursement. That is NOT HAPPENING FOR ARNPs. Many new grads are settling for terrible, low paying, legally dangerous ARNP positions - just to get a job. "...but even if the salary isn't ideal consider the chance to do something safer, less stressful and more enjoyable." Once again, my dilemma is that I refuse to settle for a low paying job with my level of education and experience I have worked VERY hard to become an ARNP. My base pay right now is $35 an hour. (That is before any evening, weekend shift differentials.) It is not about the money: I didn't start this program to be rich, lol. But if ARNPs knew how much the doctors / hospitals were profiting off of our work, they would think twice about accepting $75,000 a year - working 50 hrs a week! After graduation my finances now have student loan debt payments added to my monthly bills. Yes, I demand more. I plan on finishing, and taking the boards. Interestingly enough, since my original post I have applied for an administrative job at the hospital I work for. $95,000 a year. 40 hrs a week. NO weekends, no holidays, NO CALL, full benefits, 6.5 weeks paid vacation yearly (due to my seniority at the hospital) My interview is soon, and the kicker?! Only a BSN required to apply for that job....... A cardiologist has offered me an ARNP job. He offered me $78,000 a year to be a cardiology ARNP. 2 weeks paid vacation, call twice a week, and every third weekend, health benefits, no 401K, and wants me there M-F 8-6. I haven't answered him yet, but the answer is going to be no thank you.

Ok, maybe I am just burned out. The last semester of FNP school will do that to a person, I understand. I graduate in May from an FNP program in Florida. Relocation is totally out of the question for me (joint legal custody of an elementary aged child). There are tons of newly graduated NPs in this region not finding jobs, or settling for ridiculous salaries just to "get a NP job" For instance, I have 5 close friends that are new NPs (all in the last year). One moved to Atlanta, and is the ONLY one with a decent paying job. One girl can't find anything. One is making $75K. One is making $65K. And one is making, gulp, $60K!!! ALL ARE WORKING 50+ HRS A WEEK. Even my preceptor works 10 hrs a day, 5 days a week. I have been a nurse for 16 years, all ICU, cardiac, and education. Worked hard and earned a 3.9 GPA in the FNP program. But sadly, I don't think I will even take the boards. Yes, you read that right. Am I crazy to feel this way?! It has taken a lot of courage to tell my husband and family I don't think I want to do this. I just can't see after this many years getting paid less than $85K - and working 50 hrs a week is NOT fair to my child, my husband, or myself! I casually mentioned an interest in a PRN NP job, and my professors told me basically "no one will hire a new grad NP PRN". Is this true? Thought I would ask if my feelings are normal. For now, I plan to stay where I am, and be thankful for a master's degree I worked hard for. I have to shake my head at the younger girls in my class (I am only 36) who really expect to graduate and find a $100k paying job overnight. Even sadder are the girls who QUIT their nursing jobs this last semester --- sure hope they can get re-hired as an RN if they can't find an NP job. Yikes! Anybody else feeling scared of the future?

I considered this until I read they will NOT pay back co-signed loans. My husband co-signed on most of my Wells Fargo private loans. So, it looks like it won't work for me.

I am about to finish up and graduate this Spring. I have been an RN for 16 years. My background is cardiovascular critical care and cath lab. I am doing several hours in my final semester with a great cardiology practice. They are "hinting" at a job post graduation, but I am worried. Their mid levels work 50+ hrs a week. Only 1 weekend a month on call. NO NIGHT CALL, EVER! Salary approx $90K. 401K is NOT provided, 2 weeks a year vacation. As a new NP grad, I want to get a job as soon as possible. But my main concern is how many truly FAMILY friendly jobs for NPs are out there?! I am married, but my husband works horrible, unpredictable hours in the hospital - so I have to take my 8 year old to school, and pick her up. Extended day is only open in the evening until 6pm. Frankly, I see myself staying a staff nurse after all this hard work, 3.9 GPA, and student loans to repay. How understanding are practices to ARNP with children? The NP who is my preceptor has a "stay at home husband"....haha, I don't have that option. Another NP I questioned says her 11 year old is a "latch key kid". I love my job. I have loved going to NP school, and have excelled at it. My concern is how do you bring this up in an interview? Most girls graduating with me have no kids, are only 2-5 years out of their BSN program. A friend of mine who graduated a year ago loves her NP job, but told me last week "When I have a baby, I don't know what I'll do. I can't work these hours with a child" Ugh. I am depressed, when I should be planning my grad party!!