Salaries for FNP

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I will be starting a direct entry program in the fall. I wanted to ask if there are any FNP's out there that can give me some actual salary figures? When I go to salary.com I get one figure and when I go to NP central I get something else. What honestly could I expect to make? I am in healthcare already and LOVE patient care. I think being a FNP would give me the autonomy that I would like. I am in my early forties so this is a total career change for me and I am a bit nervous about it.

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Salary is so variable depending on the employer, practice size, and geographical area. In my NP over-saturated area the starting salary ranges from a low of about $50,000 with horrible benefits to in excess of $70-80,000 with fantastic benefits. Since it is common to make close to $70,000 as an RN here, those going to NP school are absolutely doing it for autonomy/personal satisfaction, not financial gain. I live in NY.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Varies considerably. I live in central IL and I work two jobs: one in nephrology that started at 75k and one in ER which (if I worked fulltime would be well over 100k.

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Friends of mine who just graduated in my area (north Texas) are starting at anywhere from 80-95K with bonus /productivity opportunities.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

Yeah, it's hard to compare.

I think you also need to compare your specific job role with that of others.

For example, it would be hard to compare an office/practice based NP with that of a NP in a inpatient hospitalist service. You'd also need to know about billing. In my personal example, I am a hospital employee (hourly) working in the ED. I do not get paid based on RVU's, production, volume, acuity etc., it's a flat hourly rate. Some ED staffing entities will pay based on your RVU's and other numbers.

The BEST thing to do is to actually contact a recruiter at a hospital (if you're looking for inpatient work) and ask them. If you're looking for group/practice work, then I"d call some office/practice managers and inquire.

Hope this helps.

Oh, you also need to figure the TOTAL BENEFITS PACKAGE. Add up all the deductions for benefitis, all your vacation time, include your education/CME money and put that all in the figure before you divide it by a monthly salary.

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Thanks that helps alot!

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I live in Arkansas and make more as a nurse than I do as a FNP. Actually I work as a RN in the hospital to make up for what I am missing.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
I live in Arkansas and make more as a nurse than I do as a FNP. Actually I work as a RN in the hospital to make up for what I am missing.

As an FNP are employed or a contractor?

Do you collect your own billing per patient or do you work for a salary?

Are you eligible for production bonuses?

Do you get any money/time for education/reimbursement for CME?

Sounds like you didn't negotiate very well or do enough market research when you took the FNP job.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
I live in Arkansas and make more as a nurse than I do as a FNP. Actually I work as a RN in the hospital to make up for what I am missing.

Interesting...

A quick review at Salary.com shows:

Arkansas/RN

AVG salary: $56,000

Range: $45,800 - $66,600

Arkansas/NP

AVG salary: $75,000

Range: $63,670 - $87,230

So I'd say either you're getting some REALLY good pay as an RN or a really POOR rate of pay as an FNP.

If the latter is the case, you need to renegotiate with your FNP employer, OR dump them and go with someone who puts your salary in the appropriate range.

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Just to answer the above questions. I am employed. No I do not get money for anything---I pay for my own insurance. I work for hourly rate. As far as a bonus. I started working there a little less than a year ago. I was to get a bonus in December--did not get it, finally got a $400 bonus added to my check so that it could be taxed to pieces. And as far as the last comment , I work prn as a RN for higher pay. Thank you for your comments.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.

I feel the same way about the Texas NP market. I live in Texas and I don't think the NP's here make 100,000. Working in critical care, as a seasonal PRN based employee I have made 6 figures the last 5 years of my practice as a RN. I start NP school in 2-3 weeks. I anticipate making 50,000-70,000 here in Dallas after I am done.

Question: To any currently practicing NP's...do you still work as a RN? Can you be specific about your practice in relation to caring for patients, implementing orders that may not be appropiate knowinginly that you are at that advance level and etc.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med/Surg, Pedi.
Friends of mine who just graduated in my area (north Texas) are starting at anywhere from 80-95K with bonus /productivity opportunities.

What part of North Texas and what is their speciality in NP?

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