salary vs hourly...FT vs PT....what to expect in pay??

Specialties NP

Published

I have been an adult health NP for 2 years and coming up on my review 1/22. I work 4 days/week and the physician I practice under also works 4 days a week leaving the office open 5 days/week. (We each work solo once/wk). I am on salary, but get "pro-rated" for my day off. I think I'm paying for 5 days worth of overhead and my contract has 40+ hrs defined as full-time. I have researched on the department of labor website that FT vs PT is up to each employer. I am in the office approx. 34-36 hours/week. I'm a little confused by their (my office) calculations and feel possibly that I'm being taken advantage of. How do they juggle salary vs. pro-rated "hours?" I don't clock in or out or anything like that. My current salary is 60,000 pro-rated to 49,000. I am very discouraged and made more as a nurse with half the responsibility. Everytime I've tried talking about it in the past with data of average np salaries in the surrounding area, they always throw up my "overhead" which is fixed and seems unattainable. (bonuses are available and also feel unattainable). Does anyone have some good sound advice how best to negotiate this year? I would really like not to be pro-rated considering my hours but understand that I may just be whiny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have been an adult health NP for 2 years and coming up on my review 1/22. I work 4 days/week and the physician I practice under also works 4 days a week leaving the office open 5 days/week. (We each work solo once/wk). I am on salary, but get "pro-rated" for my day off. I think I'm paying for 5 days worth of overhead and my contract has 40+ hrs defined as full-time. I have researched on the department of labor website that FT vs PT is up to each employer. I am in the office approx. 34-36 hours/week. I'm a little confused by their (my office) calculations and feel possibly that I'm being taken advantage of. How do they juggle salary vs. pro-rated "hours?" I don't clock in or out or anything like that. My current salary is 60,000 pro-rated to 49,000. I am very discouraged and made more as a nurse with half the responsibility. Everytime I've tried talking about it in the past with data of average np salaries in the surrounding area, they always throw up my "overhead" which is fixed and seems unattainable. (bonuses are available and also feel unattainable). Does anyone have some good sound advice how best to negotiate this year? I would really like not to be pro-rated considering my hours but understand that I may just be whiny.

The short answer is you are being ripped off and should find another job. The pay is far below what the average is and they are simply taking advantage of you. There are plenty of full time (>36 hour per week) four day a week primary care jobs out there. You just need to find one where they will pay you what you are compensated.

I have a long post on bonuses here somewhere, but unless you can see the actual billing, collections and expenses they will find a way to game the system.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are paying overhead expenses then you need to be taking home whatever if left after your billing totals. Just like any business. It does not make any sence what so ever that you are paid a fixed salary yet have to pay overhead. If your paying overhead then you must have your own business so are entitled to the profits it makes...seems like a shady situation. If you are in the early years of building your own practice and the 60K is what's left as take home pay then that's the price you pay for being in your own business. If your building your doc's practice at your expense your getting taken to the cleaners.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in family, internal, pediatric.

I agree with Core0, they are taking advantage. You have a nice solid year of experience behind you, start interviewing on your day off, choose your next position carefully. Ask questions, obtain in writing what the conditions of employment are, some physicians will also ask for non-compete, be careful what you agree to.

If you decide to stay, you need to figure out how many patients you see, how much is collected, take this total and deduct your "overhead" from this (MA, Receptionist salary, , etc). You will be surprised to see how much money you are bringing into the practice. By the way how many patients do you see daily?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So basically, you are getting paid less than $30 an hour. I'm not a NP but that is not right. Maybe the MD doesn't realize he is paying you so little, maybe he does, either way you should lay out what you need to be paid for your time when it is time to renew your contract.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for all of your input. I'm meeting for my review this month. I have already started looking for other jobs. If I'm not happy with the review, I believe I will be taking everyone's advice and finding another place to go. Thanks! BTW-I see approx 18-22 pts p/day (family practice) and most all are coded as 99213's and 99214's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you for all of your input. I'm meeting for my review this month. I have already started looking for other jobs. If I'm not happy with the review, I believe I will be taking everyone's advice and finding another place to go. Thanks! BTW-I see approx 18-22 pts p/day (family practice) and most all are coded as 99213's and 99214's.

Whats your payor mix like (ie what percentage is Medicare/caid)?

David Carpenter, PA-C

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment