TJFRN

I know that there is a thread to how much you make, but I was wondering how much I should be paid. I work with a hospitalist group. I work at only one hospital and I get paid per patient. Based on if it's a follow up, H&P or discharge. I am a new nurse practitioner however, I am being asked by other physicians if I will work with them too. I do not know what I should be asking for. I am an independent contractor and with this one group I feel I am being low balled. So what should I be asking for?

Thank you!

What were you scoring on the practice exams?

How did you do?

Hi MegMont, well I'm in FNP program and will graduate May 2013. I'm liking it however, I do not love it. I have my days when I dream of going into a CRNA program after I graduate. But, reality sets in I know I just can not do that. I am lucky that school is manageable so that I can pay as I go. With CRNA school I would have to quit working and take out loans. I say if you have the resources go with your first choice. In the end you will be much happier. Good luck!

I have to agree with the above poster... Although I am in a FNP program now, I have already completed all the "filler" classes. Research is the one class you should pay a bit more attention to. Like the other poster stated you will use evidence base research in your practice. I have to say I could still practice without theory. I have always treated my patients as a whole because I learned that growing up as a child. I could care less about other peoples theory and how to use it in practice. Hang in there, it doesn't get better except after you pass the boards and find your dream job! Good Luck!

In my area FNP's work in acute care. However, it's all about experience as an NP (your RN experience does not count). I know FNP's who work first in an office setting (like cardiology, or another speciality) after 1 or 2 years experience then apply to the jobs working with intensivist, surgeons as first assists, etc but at the same time in the same hospital they will only hire PA's in trauma. At a few ER's I've worked at we had FNP's because of the client base (children and adults). ACNP is a great route also if you know for sure that's what you want because it is limited... 30 years from now you may decide that acute care setting is to much on you, and you want that 9-5 job seeing patient's in an office setting and at times you may see kids (never know). Schools do discourage FNP students working in acute care because of your clinical training but, think how many of you learned what you know today from your clinicals in nursing school? Didn't most of it come from on the job training? As you said not everything you read on here is 100% and my info is just through my own experience and research in my specific work area. I choose FNP because I'm one of those that is all over the place.... today I may want to work acute care, tomorrow I may want to work in a family practice, and yesterday... oh well yesterday already passed.... Good luck to what ever you do choose and do it for yourself! Being an NP or a PA is a proud profession and it sounds like you are a go getter that have a love for learning so I'm sure you will do great... plus you're young why not think medical school if I was your age I would go for it! Again, best wishes!:)

I'm thinking of specializing in Cardio myself... it's all I've done as an RN. I'm currently in a FNP program and I work in stress lab/cath lab and with EP docs so I'm hoping with my contacts that I'll be able to land a job with one of the many doc's that I work with. The PA's and NP's are helping me now with obtaining clincial spots for my FNP (must be family practice and in office setting). However, they have told me I'm welcome to come with them when I'm ready for my cardio rotation. In my area (South FL) it's harder to get jobs (to your liking) because of the many schools. But, in the mean time I'm networking and proving myself as an RN.

Yes it was similar... Print out the quizzes & study by them & you should be fine

I understand your frustrations I live in an area with many FNP/ANP schools along with medical students. I am being turned down by all docs in my hospital because of their commentment to medical students... I need a family practice to precept in office only. I'm not allowed to precept in a hospital because my program is FNP. I live in south FL if any FNP's or PA's are willing. The PA's & FNP's I work with is trying to help me but they all specialize in Cardiology.

I'm a nurse and I don't think you are nurse bashing! I'm happy that you admit that you are not "bedside nurse" material! I much rather work with someone who is in it for the right reason, and the patient will appreciate it to! It is not for everyone. I say go for your dream. Don't look back, just move forward. As a FNP you will be able to do what you want to do. That is if you work with a doc that gives you autonomy (or work where zenman does). I'm currently in a FNP program and I would respect you as a fellow classmate with 50 years of bedside nursing or 0 years of bedside nursing (as long as you know your stuff), in other words I welcome you with open arms.... just do it! :)

I'm in the same dilemma. I'm in a FNP program now & I'm not 100% sure it's for me. CRNA was where i originally wanted to be. I feel I have went to far. I quit my job in the ICU & took a less stressful one doing stress test in the hospital I sometimes go over to cath lab. I sometimes think of going back to the ICU & try for CRNA again, but I feel I have went to far into the FNP route. Also, my age is a factor.... I'm 43. I really want to be done with school eventually! Good luck

A personal statement is a little about yourself, any volunteer work that you have done or even info about being a wife and mom and how you have arrived to where you are now. Career goals is about where you see yourself in the future as an FNP how you will help the community and nursing with the advance education. You may include any desires to continue your education to gain your doctorate. Hope this helps

ga is a great place to be... i'm originally from sc & have lived in south fl for over 20 years & i'm ready to move on. my husband rather move to ga so that we are between our 2 families so it's great to hear the job market is good there.

Where are you going to school? I'm going to FAU in south FL & I'm afraid I'm gonna have the same problem!

Bsnanat2...... Where do you live? I live in south FL (near Ft Lauderdale) & plan to move to GA once I graduate (2013). How is the job market for family practice?

I'm in a FNP program and I believe I'll have to leave my job once I begin clinicals. I currently work four 8/HR shifts (10/HR most days) with no weekends or holidays. I am either going to take time off or take a pool position so that I'm not locked into any hrs or days. I figured going back to an ER would be the best bet. My husband & I will have to tighten the belt for the next year & half but it can be done. I rather do that then stress over school. I wish you luck & whatever you choose to do will probably be best for you & your family.:)

I live in S FL and in school now in the FNP program. I plan to move once I finish school. It's horrible in FL no work, little pay, and cost of living is outrages. I have lived in the same place for over 20 years and the area, economy, and working conditions are getting worse by the year! I've heard out west is the place to be... AZ, TX, etc...

zenman you live my life... if I didn't have a family I would join the nurse corps or an agency... I get bored... so after 12 weeks moving on seems to be the answer! Plus, I hate a negative work place. I rather go in do my job and don't talk to me about the ********! By the time I graduate with my FNP (2013) my husband my be up for the adventure. I know my oldest son will be gone (he's joining the Army this year) and the other two boys will have to live with what life brings them!

In to response to opening books and iphone in front of patients.... don't sweat it! I see my pcp ad FNP I go to do it and it actually relieves me. I know they don't know everything and it makes me comfortable that they admit to it. I always tell my patients that you want a healthcare provider who is willing to say "I don't know" over the one who says "they know" but really doesn't. Good Luck!

LexyD don't let the GPA thing get to you... The hospital does not know you're GPA. Although you may not be able to recite your textbook does not mean you are not a good nurse. Critical thinking (thinking outside the box or putting the puzzle together) is what you need to do! Get you're experience on a telementry floor (1 yr) then shoot for the ICU. Don't let a bad day define you... mistakes will happen, learn for them and keep going!

What do you mean "not smart enough to work in an ICU". I have worked both and in the ER you need your wits just as much as in the ICU. In the ER you are taking care of 7 patients at a time and in the ICU 1-2. Although in the ICU I worked in those 1-2 patients were critical you had to be prepared, but you are trained to do just that. However, in the ER you could have 3 or 4 critical patients... you never know... a stable patient can become critical. Also in the ER I worked in they used ICU experience as a stepping stone for the ER. You can do it with good training... I worked in the ICU as my part time job and in the ER per diem. Try that to see what works best and ask the schools you are interested in.

buster 4... you'll get your family back and think you are at the finish line. Pat yourself on the back you did it and survived.

Papers, papers, papers. After that exams, exams, exams. You have to write exactly! Meaning scholarly writing. You'll (which isn't allowed in graduate school, you will use "you will" instead) have ALOT of BS reading, however that reading turns your writing into scholarly papers. Your mindset must be I will jump each hurdle as I get there. By the way, if your college offer a writing lab... GO TO IT! They will help you and you will be amazed to how powerful your writing will become!

I've heard that this does work for you. I took 5 master level courses as a non-degree seeking student while deciding what to major in. Advance Patho is a good course to take beforehand. It's a science class and they look favorable on science classes. Chemistry wouldn't be a bad thought either. I would contact your #1 choice of school and ask them what they think. Just remember if you take a course that you want to transfer to another college keep your syllabus. Most colleges want to see that in order to transfer the credits.