PrettyWingsFNP

Totally agree with so many of the comments regarding the lack of transparency regarding our salaries. I work for the major hospital system in northern VA (OP you can probably guess which one) and was offered what I now consider to be a low NP wage (~90K). I was happy to have a new NP job and underestimated my worth. I DID NOT NEGOTIATE. I took the HR reps word when she said--the offer is non-negotiable. After speaking with some fellow NPs (outside of this health system), I discovered that there was a LOT more money to be made. So, about 6 months into my position I started going on interviews and got some offer letters--which were significantly higher than my current wage. I took my letters to my boss and politely said that although I want to stay, that I felt that I was being underpaid and that this would be my 2 week notice unless they could beat my new offers by 10%. No, I didn't ask for a match, I asked for MORE! Within 2 minutes my manager had our HR rep on the phone and magically approved a 14% raise effective immediately (along with some other demands regarding scheduling, my site location, etc). I am now making 105K which I feel is an appropriate salary for a new graduate NP. Also, I have to add that I have worked for this health system as a RN for 5 years and have known my boss during this entire time. She has a very high level or respect for me and I knew she would not want to lose me. My advice to you---NEGOTIATE NEGOTIATE NEGOTIATE YOUR SALARY! You are worth it! Shoot for 100K PS I live in DC, work in Northern VA and when to GWU NP school as well. Good luck!!

Hi, I worked a mon-fri 8:30-5 job as an outpt nurse case manager throughout NP school. I did my NP program part time, in 3 years. The first year i worked 5 days with no problem. Second year I asked to switch to mon-thurs, 10 hour days. I wrote a proposal to my employer about how i thought earlier and later clinic hours would be beneficial to our patient population and it was approved. Once clinicals started (second semester of 2nd year), I did all of my clinical hours on my day off, and took a few PTO days to complete my hours by the end of the semester. Third year however, i had to be in clinical at least 2 days a week in order to complete the minimum hours for the semester. So I cut back to 3 10's a week and used all the PTO I saved--I eventually ran out. My school also permitted us to do clinical hours over fall, winter, and spring break--which I took full advantage of. I was basically in clinical every week for 1.5 years straight--I didn't go home for holidays, I was the only student in clinical on Black Friday, day after Christmas, etc. This was mentally exhausting--when my classmates were on summer or winter break, I kept doing clinicals. Also, one of clinicals had Saturday hours which I did as well. (Yes this means I was at work or in clinical 6 days a week). With this schedule, I was able to just barely get in enough hours to move through my program, but had a ton to "catch up" during my last semester. At that point (my last 3 months) I stopped working all together and started clinical 5 days/week in order to graduate on time. This worked out great for me. It allowed me to continue working the mon-fri RN job that I loved! Sooo, it can be done! But you have to be creative with your schedule and plan ahead. I worked out this schedule well in advance. I printed a calendar and counted everything out. I knew exactly how many PTO days I would need once I cut back to 3 10's in order to continue bringing home a full paycheck. I started "saving" my PTO hours during my first year--ie no vacations or days off. I also knew I would likely need to take time off towards the end to finish and purposely saved some $$. Good luck!

I worked in an ambulatory clinic as an RN that was owned/operated by a major health system (comprised of 7 hospitals, countless ambulatory clinics, and several thousand employees). So my pay/benefits/everything were the exact same as when I worked inpatient at one of their hospitals! It was the best of both worlds. Once I was promoted to a RN Case Manager (still ambulatory) I was paid even higher than floor nurses. (Makes no sense to me why hospitals pay RN case managers more than floor nursing, there is absolutely NO comparison in terms of stress and workload). I loved ambulatory nursing and the schedule was amazing! My craziest and busiest days working in ambulatory did not hold a candle to an easy floor shift!

Meeep, you read my mind. Broken record. I don't think he/she is even in NP school yet.

I give my preceptors a gift certificate to their fav lunch spot and a nice handwritten card. I get the office staff breakfast (Panera bagels or donuts).

As long as you have good credit or a co-signer who does, I'm pretty sure you can take out as much as you need in loans. I know plenty of med student who are living 100% off of student loans---tuition, housing, food, etc. Good luck at Penn!

I know that George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) has a brand new Psych DNP program. When I went to their info session they were practically begging people to apply. From what I hear, its a great program!

Everyone---thank you for your responses!

Hey everyone! This is a bit of a rant..... I am in my first semester of a PT FNP program. We are currently enrolled in a research and a theory class. I have to say that I find these classes to be painful, boring and borderline WORTHLESS!!! Seriously, why am I being forced to read about non-nursing related philosophers, argument structures, nursing theories, blah blah etc!! I feel like NP programs are already jammed packed enough with pertinent classes like advanced patho, pharm, and health assessment that could be broken up into two classes and studied in more detail! Instead, we waist an entire semester on this?!?!? Enough with the filler classes!!! Three years from now when I am beginning my career as a brand new FNP, will I look back on my graduate education and think, "Oh that research and theory class was truly worthwhile and an enrichment to my education," eh, maybe. OR, will I look back and wish I had had more time in health assessment or advanced pharm.....only time will tell. -wings

I am a relatively young RN, starting NP school, wait, I guess I am technically in NP school, as of three days ago :) I've been a nurse for 2 years, card/tele and clinic nursing. I can say that my hospital and clinic experience have been very valuable in many ways, 2 in particular. 1) General real life knowledge of what a sick person looks like....labs, vs, etc 2) I've learned that I do not like working in a hospital and that I like the clinic setting. I LOVE teaching and preventative and primary care. I DISCOVERED MY PASSION!!! I didn't know I wanted to be an FNP until I spent a year and a half working on a step-down unit that wouldn't even exist if these patients had quality, or any for that matter, PRIMARY CARE! At age 24, and beginning my FNP education, I wouldn't have changed my path. However, if I had known what I know now, if I had known that I would love the FNP role, then I would have jumped straight into this program at 22, fresh out of nursing school, and took advantage of "school mode." Not to mention, I'd be studying for boards right now, or maybe even have passed them at this point, instead of beginning my program!!!!! P.S. I work with an incredible FNP who went right from BSN to FNP school, never worked as an RN and whole-heartedly feels that her path was best for her!

Georgetown has a great new grad program....although I think they finish all their new grad hiring by Feb/March. I started as a new grad there and I attended a new grad open house in Jan and was hired by Feb. They hire some new grads in the fall for a winter start as well. You may have to wait until the next new grad open house (which in probably in in the end of the summer/early fall). Contact the Nursing Office and ask them when their next new grad day is.

Nurse Case Management! NCMs work in many different settings-- hospitals, clinics, urgent cares, etc. I work at an HIV clinic and I get to combine my nursing knowledge with social work and mental health support. I think you would like it :)

ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY send that letter to the nursing director of the hospital, the ED manager and the nurse (use her name and describing characteristics ie hair color, glasses, etc). Also, CC each individual on the bottom so they know it is going to everyone. SO sorry you were treated that way! SHAME ON THAT NURSE! Besides the fact that you shouldn't treat a person like that, I would NEVER let a pt experiencing neuro changes walk to the BR without MY assistance. I probably would have requested that you use a bedpan for your safety and pulled the curtain for your privacy.

i wouldn't have given anything that may have altered my frequent neuro checks in any way.

research CNL (clinical nurse leaders) programs. you can have a bachelors in any degree and get your MSN through the program. Most require you complete pre-reqs like A&P, chem, etc. I know UVA has a great program.