CallieNicole

Hello, whatever you do, don't settle for less than 90,000 with productivity bonus if full time and if part time no less than $50 per hour.

I forgot to say, in my practice, no matter how hard I correct my patients, they call me Dr. Callie. They say that is how they see me. So, really DNP or not, it does not matter. It is how your patients see you and trust you.

I would google the company name then add the word reviews. I was offered by some companies and when I googled it to check the review, NPs were warned to stay away.

Actually, I am pursuing my DNP/PhD (not sure yet) not because I want to be called a Doctor but because I plan to teach at a Master's level online when I retire living on an island somewhere or while trotting around the globe. And yup, I deserve to be called a Doctor once I have it :)

Also, tuition interest is 1% to 2.5%. You can easily pay your loan off if you are smart. And dont forget, in residency you get paid $60,000 annual.

Advises like Bluebolt's was exactly the reasons why I did not pursue medical school and now I know, I was given completely the wrong information. Physicians do not like to state how much they really make because of lawsuits and they do not want to saturate their market for fear of their salary going down. I know the truth because I have first hand information.

On the other hand, I also have friends who remained in debt because they were living a high lifestyle as soon as they got hired. It is all up to you but yes, it is worth it so go for it while you are still young. Do not listen to anyone else that tries to dissuade you. PS. I am planning to get certified to be a Life Coach :) How am I doing?

People who tell you that probably do not realize the rewards later on. My friends lived in apartments for the first 5 years after their fellowship and paid off their $300,000 loans and saved money but in 6 years working in their specialty, they have 2- 3 million dollar homes paid for in cash and are debt free and they are in their 40's so they have 20 more years making half a million dollar a year. So yes, go to medical school.

Actually, it does make a difference. A year or 2 of NP experience is totally different with a year of 2 of nursing experience.

Just curious, why did you relocate to El Paso, TX? Try the Candelaria clinic and ask to speak to their NPs. Also, try Dr. Behren's- El Paso urgent care. I would just call all the clinics and ask if they have a NP and ask to speak to them. That is what I did when I needed preceptors in my area.

Yup, however, you can use them as your stepping stone and get the experience so you will be in a position to make demands at a later time like 6 months so DO NOT SIGN A NO COMPETE AGREEMENT AND DO NOT LOCK YOURSELF INTO A CONTRACT.

I forgot to add, when I was looking for a job and even now that I am looking into changing specialties, NO ONE was/is interested in my nursing experience. The recruiters and potential employers want NP experience.

This is not true. I was told this during my NP school by one of my preceptors because my clinical experience was minimal. She was also mean about it and I had self doubts because of her. My university however was wonderful in encouraging me to press on. Working as a NP is totally different from working as a bedside nurse. The approach is quite different.

If you really want to be a physician, by all means do so and pick a good specialty. If I was younger, I would and I wish someone had sat me down and counseled me on this. I was too intimidated with the prospect of going back to school for a long period of time. Now, that my daughter is in pre med, I realize, I should have and could have done it.

That's kinda low. Do you have productivity bonus? I don't have urgent care experience but my friends who work there get paid at least $60 to $80 per hour and have a productivity bonus. They also work 12 hour shifts. However, they have years of experience. Probably give provisions on your contract to re evaluate it after 6 months for renegotiation.