Stephgriffin6

Hi Melanie, To answer your question, yes PP hires New Grads and honestly I think they prefer New Grads. PP was my first job as a New Grad and I had no women's health experience at all. I think I had 50 hrs of clinical rotation in women's health and that it. My background was in telemetry in the hospital so not even L&D or postpartum. Yes, the training is 12 weeks and this with awesome being right out of school. I worked at PP in San Diego so I can only go by what I did there. I feel like the 12 weeks was very though. I feel like 6 weeks were at HR doing class room training and then the other 6 weeks was working with the Lead Clinician and seeing patients. You have to do so many skills for example IUC insertions before doing them on your own. But they train you on everything. The pay probably depends on what part of the country. But in CA you can expect to start at least at $58 an hour or more in CA. Not sure about the loan reimbursement but they do offer sign on bonuses for least desirable areas to work. But in CA you can make good money. If you have the opportunity and get offered a position I would take it at least to get your year in of experience. Hopes this helps!

Did you take the PP offer? I worked at PP in CA as a new NP and stayed for 3 years. I can answer questions for you if you like. Let me know.

Hi Kimmba, Yes, I did get both my RN and APRN endorsement from TX. It took a little over two months. I think I started in Sept 2021 like you, and then I got approved for the APRN license right before Thanksgiving at the end of November. I think I would have even gotten it sooner but my school incorrectly filled out the education form twice and then finally after the 3rd submission it was approved. I'm not sure why its taking over 7 months for yours to get approved as we started at the same time ! Are you checking online on the website under your account to make sure nothing is missing. Thats how I knew I had to have my school correct a form? Stephanie What state are you coming from? Stephanie

Hi, Did you go onto the AANPBC website? From what it says the 15 hrs of continuing education has to be on your areas of weakness that can be found on your score report. If you are a AANP member they have free CE on their website that you can do. I'm sure they cannot deny AANP CEs. I have already renewed my AANP certificate once and what I did to make sure all my CE are approved was to make sure all my CEs are approved by the following providers/sponsors ( See Below) This can be found under the AANPBC recertification handbook on their website: RecertificationHandbook Continuing Education Providers/ Sponsors: American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP)American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE)American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)AmericanCollege of Physicians (ACP)American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)American Medical Association (AMA) in collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) of accredited CME activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE)Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)State Medical Associations, State Boards of Nursing, and State Boards of Pharmacy. This is says what you have to do if you fail: Q: What continuing education do I have to complete before I can retake an exam? A: A minimum of 15 hours of advanced practice continuing education from an accredited CE provider in the area(s) of weakness as indicated on their score report. Continuing education hours must be completed after the exam date which the candidate did not pass. A general NP certification examination review course is strongly recommended, but not required. Candidates should review the applicable Certification Examination Blueprint for content that describes each testing domain in detail. Hope this is helpful and good luck on your next exam, I know its challenging but you can do this! Stephanie FNP-C

Hi, Has anyone gone through the process of APRN endorsement from CA to TX ? From the directions it says you have to hold a current TX RN license or privilege to practice in TX to meet the qualifications ( which yes I get this). But can I apply for a TX RN and TX APRN license at the same time or do I have to get the TX RN first and then apply for the TX APRN. I cannot find this answer anywhere on the Texas Board of Nursing website. Thank you for the help!! Stephanie FNP-C

Hi, I do not work in the hospital setting but as long as you are board certified I would not think it matters. Any job that you apply will say you will need to be board certified but either ANCC or AANP, it never specifies one over the other. But I can tell what the difference is about the ANCC test vs the AANP test. The ANCC exam has ethics and nursing research questions included where the AANP exam does not. The AANP is only clinical scenario questions, no ethics or research. I chose the AANP certification for that reason, I really dislike ethics and research. Plus, I also didn't have to study ethics and research for the AANP exam...... LOL. Hope this helps a little!

DO NOT APPLY for your DEA until you are hired by a employer! You will have to give the address of your employer on the DEA application. You cannot just put your home address, it has to be a business address. The $731 dollars in NONREFUNDABLE. I made the mistake of doing this and they held on to my money. When I did end up getting a job I was able to get the money back to go towards my new application but it was a pain up the butt and I had to call to speak with a representative. Take my advice!! AANP and ANCC are national certifications so it does not matter which state you take it in. Good Luck! Plus get your employer to pay for your DEA, I did!

Hi, Currently, I'm a NP working at Planned Parenthood in San Diego with 3 years of experience under my belt with the company. I'm considering moving to Austin TX area. I know I would be taking pay cut moving out of CA but I wanted to ask if anyone in the Austin area has an idea what the Planned Parenthood pays its clinicians? Thank you in advance for the help, Stephanie NP

That makes sense, thank you!

Great, thank you for response!! Good to know Austin pays low! I’m also looking at areas north of Dallas and Houston so sounds like the pay is better. Texas seems to pay just a little less than CA.

Hello, I'm a NP in San Diego CA, with 2 years of experience. I'm looking at possibly relocating to Texas particularly the Austin area. I know my income would drop but I would like to know the average income for NPs in Texas. I realize there is no state tax in Texas but the property taxes are much higher than CA. Not sure if it would be worth making such a big move. Anyone from Texas have any thoughts or advice on this subject. Thank you for the help, Stephanie NP

Congrats Medsurge!!! Part time 4 days a week with a set schedule sounds great! That is so much more doable with having a young child. You can always keep checking the other affiliate for positions to work closer to home. I do not have my own Malpractice insurance since I’m covered under work. I did not even research it. I wouldn’t do it unless I was an independent contractor and had to, but that’s just me. My orientation was at the administration building mon-fri 5 days a week for 1 month and then I started in clinic with a clinician preceptor and I was on her schedule. Since I was hired at 5 days a week that’s what my schedule was with my preceptor. But I would just prepare for 5 days in the beginning. You could always just ask. Very happy for you and your new career !!!???? Stephanie

Hi Medsurge, Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!! Okay, so I'm going to give you my honest opinion on traveling 2-3 hours a day, its going to be very hard and draining on you. Its very difficult to juggle being a mom and working, add extra travel each day and you will feel tired all the time. In my case i started working at PP 6 months ago when my daughter was 18 months. She is in daycare 5 days a week. My husband has to get her ready for the day, take her to daycare, and pick her up from daycare and watch her until I get home 5 days a week. My husband is self employed so he obviously has some flexibility, not to mention i chose a daycare that is 5 mins from his office. But i do get a guilt trip from him that he has to do so much and that I never spend time with my daughter. My home clinic is very close to where I live (about 15 mins) and I'm there most days of the week. I only flex probably 3 times a month, which is really not that bad, and the furthest I would have to travel is about 45 mins max (maybe an hour if heavy traffic). If I had to travel 1-1.5 hrs each way to work, I really don't know if I could actually do it with a family. Yes, its nice to get paid your time and mileage but that makes for a really long day. I get my schedule 4 weeks in advance so I can plan ahead. As the the on call shift. I have not started doing on call yet. But it is 1 time per month. I believe the hours are from 4 pm to 7 am. Many Clinicians do work the following day. If a patient calls it does not go straight to you, it goes to some sort on messaging service that can either transfer the call to you or you call back. I'm sure if you were driving you could take the call after reaching your destination. If you take the job, you should sit down with your husband and see what his expectation are with helping with your baby. If you take the job, see if in 6 months you can get a staff clinician position at 1 clinic near your home or work part time. Working at PP is so much better than working in the hospital but working more days in the week is challenging for family balance. Let me know you what you decide!! Stephanie

Hi Medsurge, So I would say every affiliate is different ! I live in San Diego and work for the pacific south west affiliate, and this affiliate is financially strong plus I’m sure the California wage is adjusted to the cost of living. As a new grad I was offered the baseline pay and then for every year of experience the pay goes up a dollar. I’ve already gotten a raise so almost at $60 which I think is great as a new grad. I did not negotiate pay but you could always ask it don’t think it would hurt anything. The worst they can say is no and take the offer they give you. I think you need to decide what area of medicine you want to work in. Many clinicians that worked in primary care said it was hard because you have to know a lot and it was too much. The nice thing about PP is that it’s pretty specific of what we can treat and for the most part patients are young and healthy and you are not going to have to manage chronic conditions. Patients will ask primary care questions but you cannot treat them based on the protocols. The visits are very repetitive but I don’t find anything that difficult after learning the basics. Also, case management calls all patients about results so you would not have to stay late to call patients. I can really only tell you what goes on in the pacific southwest affiliate but it may vary to the affiliates you are applying and how finically strong they are. Weigh out the pros and cons of each job before accepting a position! Stephanie

Hi Medsuge! Most positions are Flex Clinician positions( floater). You would have a home clinic and then be required to float 30 percent of the time. This has been the case for me. Floating is okay, just prepared to be working with different people, but I have not found it to be a problem. Each clinic is a little different in set up and flow but after going a few times it’s not that big of a deal. The nice thing is that you will get travel time pay and mileage pay, which is nice. I’ve gotten lots of over time and it has not been a problem. After training you will be prepared to float. You will get better with time. You will be busy but seeing 20-24 patients a day is doable along with the charting. Many visits are very quick such as STI testing no symptoms and HC visits. You will get faster as you go. You chart after each patient so you don’t stay late charting!!! Once orientation is complete I think the expectation is to see 18-21 patients. I would say the average I see is 20-21 patients per day but have seen up to 26 patients. It just depends on the shift you and flow. I would say 35 hrs per week sounds perfect, 40 hours is almost to much but I like the money. I would say 4 days would be perfect for full time. I work 5 days per week. Malpractice is covered !!! I’m excited for you, let me know if you have any other questions! Stephanie

Good Luck!!! Getting that first NP job is the hardest. Just be persistent, send out lots of resumes and talk to anyone who has connections to companies hiring NP!!!

My resume has MSN, APRN FNP-C after my name on the top of my resume. Yes!! Fax your resume and cover letter to the medical director!!! Let them know you really want to work at PP. I would be persistent!

Hi!! The first time I applied to PP I sent my resume/ application and got an email the exact same day asking for a phone interview. The second time I applied I didn’t hear anything at all and then 4 or 5 days after I applied I had my friend sent my resume over to HR and an email immediately. So I guess it just depends on who is in HR and the need for NPs. I hope you get an interview!!!

Hi Express099, I just read you other post and saw that you are in San Diego! Let me know If you would like to meet up and I could give you more info :-)

Hello, I just finished my 2 months of training and I’m now on my own! I really love it!!! I enjoy the population that comes in, the training was awesome and I got 25 days to work with a clinician trainer that gave me tons of support. I’m at the PP of the pacific southwest in San Diego, I can’t tell you how other affiliates are but this one is great. Plus, the pay is good and training is great for a New Grad Np. The interviewing process is pretty extensive. Had a phone interview, then a in person interview at the corporate office, then a third interview with an in clinic manager. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Hi Express099, I was working as a RN for Scripps in San Diego. I did have a few NP interviews with Scripps with no luck, I also applied to the Scripps Health Express with no response. I was really bummed because I wanted to stay with Scripps. I got a job with planned parenthood, which is turning out to be a awesome company to work for. The pay is also pretty good being a new grad. I’ll do my year and see what comes up!! Thank you for the advice:-)

Thank you!! I will keep you posted!

Hello!!! I would wait to pass your boards before applying. I don’t know what state you are in but in California where I’m at the state board processing time is probably at least 3-4 months, they are very slow!! I think they will take pending licenses but i know at my interview they told me they were having a hard time with new grads not being able to start because of the delay. As for benefits you have to work a minimum of 30 hours to qualify for medical/dental so you would have to work 4 days. I did not see anything about unions in my packet, so no unions in CA. The pay rate was $55 but it just increased to $58/hr in San Diego. So as a new grad I will make $58/hr for 40!hours per week. I have to see 27-30 patients. Work 2 Saturdays for full time.The rest of what you said it correct. I can’t say about other parts of the country. Your rates sound low. Planned Parenthood in San Diego hires flex positions first, which means I will work within 3 locations. Then when an internal permanent location position opens I can apply to that. So you might have to travel in the beginning anyhow. Just apply to both and see!!!

Hello!!! I would wait to pass your boards before applying. I don’t know what state you are in but in California where I’m at the state board processing time is probably at least 3-4 months, they are very slow!! I think they will take pending licenses but i know at my interview they told me they were having a hard time with new grads not being able to start because of the delay. As for benefits you have to work a minimum of 30 hours to qualify for medical/dental so you would have to work 4 days. I did not see anything about unions in my packet, so no unions in CA. The pay rate was $55 but it just increased to $58/hr in San Diego. So as a new grad I will make $58/hr for 40!hours per week. I have to see 27-30 patients. Work 2 Saturdays for full time.The rest of what you said it correct. I can’t say about other parts of the country. Your rates sound low. Planned Parenthood in San Diego hires flex positions first, which means I will work within 3 locations. Then when an internal permanent location position opens I can apply to that. So you might have to travel in the beginning anyhow. Just apply to both and see!!!

Hi MedsurgeRN14, Yes, I would say it was starting to get difficult getting interviews after 2 years. Just being a new grad in general it’s hard to get jobs, I’m in San Diego so my area is saturated also. It’s all about having connection and who you know is how you will get a job!!! After being certified for 6-12 months, I had three job interviews through the company I work, they like to hire within so that’s why I got asked for interviews. So, with planned parenthood and minute clinic they do like to hire new grads and at each interview they both pretty much asked why the 2 gap. But they seemed understanding about it. I got an interview with minute clinic because my RN co worker who was a recent new grad Np got hired on and I asked her for the managers email so when I saw a open position online I emailed her and introduced myself and dropped my friends name. I also had one of my preceptors at school at minute clinic and they like that. Even at the interview they told me they called my old preceptor as a reference. Actually, had a really good interview there as well but they told me at the interview they did not have any available positions at the moment. I would have had to keep emailing the manager weekly to check back on openings. That’s how my co worker got the job. With planned parenthood I had another RN coworker at my current position who also works at planned parenthood as a NP. I would always ask him about working there. When I finally saw an opening at the planned parenthood in my area i applied. When I saw my co worker at work he said he would send my resume to HR, and he did!!! The next day I got a phone interview and they told me he had referred me. They also seem to like referrals from current employees. So, basically this is how I got a job 2 after being certified. Look on craigs list also!! I got offered a part time position with a doctor for 2 afternoons a week but turned it down because i would have to keep my floor nursing job for benefits and I want out of that. I would also say my confidence level after 2 years out is a little lacking from lack of practice. That’s one of the reasons a like planned parenthood, lots of training!!! After having my baby I really tried looking for a part time NP job, but those are harder to come by especially as an new grad NP. If I were you I would not wait 2 years and try to find a part time Np job. I feel like after 2 years I was becoming unmarketable. If you have any more questions let me know!!