The economy and NP jobs....

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Hi, I am a new grad FNP and am finding a lot of difficulties finding FNP jobs, in a family practice setting. I am thinking a large part of this has to do with the state of the economy. I have seen several job opening for specialties (neuro, pain management, rheumatology) but only one part time position in a family practice setting (I applied and am waiting to hear back...nothing yet). Are any other new grads encountering the same thing? And if so, whats your plan of action for attaining an NP job?

At this point it seems like the minute clinic is my best bet because I've already scheduled an interview with them and it seems promising. Or I can apply from some of the speciality positions but then again it still wouldn't be family practice. What to do? :(

Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

don't do minute clinic if you're a new NP! that's a very independent job and very little support / orientation. that's what i've heard again and again - don't do minute clinic and similar jobs as a new grad.

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:( Why is life so stressful!

I don't know, but don't feel bad, I've got four screaming kids to contend with while I am taking 15 hours towards a BSN and working full-time as the primary wage earner in the family, and we're stuck with a lemon house we bought that is expensive'and now we'll have to get into a lawsuit and I'm tired of it all....

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don't do minute clinic if you're a new NP! that's a very independent job and very little support / orientation. that's what i've heard again and again - don't do minute clinic and similar jobs as a new grad.

I think I'd hate working in a minuteclinic, seems like it would be as boring as a pharmacist's job.

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The job list in this area of the country for NPs is more extensive than ever.

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Specializes in ARNP, FNP-BC.
don't do minute clinic if you're a new NP! that's a very independent job and very little support / orientation. that's what i've heard again and again - don't do minute clinic and similar jobs as a new grad.

Thanks for responding. This thread was literally hi-jacked, no big deal though...LOL

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

The title of the thread is, "The economy and NP jobs". I think you've received some great responses, RNBillie. A new grad, IMO, should not be in a Minute Clinic. Need to gather some experience first.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ARNP, FNP-BC.
The title of the thread is, "The economy and NP jobs". I think you've received some great responses, RNBillie. A new grad, IMO, should not be in a Minute Clinic. Need to gather some experience first.

Good luck.

You are correct, the title of the thread is "The economy and NP jobs" and Yes I did get some nice responses. I do realize that and was not stating otherwise. Thanks!!!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.
I don't know, but don't feel bad, I've got four screaming kids to contend with while I am taking 15 hours towards a BSN and working full-time as the primary wage earner in the family, and we're stuck with a lemon house we bought that is expensive'and now we'll have to get into a lawsuit and I'm tired of it all....

Wow, sorry you are going through all that at the same time. I think we all deserve a nice month-long vacation to Hawaii! :)

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to the OP, even though I personally didn't want to go to minute clinic as a new grad I've heard later on that it's actually not a bad first job. Several of my classmates took those jobs and they find it pretty easy because a lot if already laid out for you. It might be a reasonable option if you've got bills to pay, you can always look around for that second NP job while you're working the minute clinic one!

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Thanks. :) I am hoping to work in either Internal Medicine or Cardiology. I applied for 2 Cardiology NP positions, and several other ones....hopefully I will hear soon. It is driving me crazy not knowing what comes next. Plus...there are all the bills...

A friend of mine in San Antonio told me about some positions with Locum Tenens. He's going to start seeing nursing home patients for them on a part-time basis. He told me they pay $90/hr...amazing. In my neck of the woods, there are home health jobs for NP's and they pay $60 per visit plus gas/mileage. Someone told me we should be getting more than that for home health visits, but I don't know the going rate (?). I believe that job is through Maxim's. Both Locum Tenens and Maxim's are national companies, so try calling them about jobs.

I'm in the process of getting credentialed so I can work in the ER at 3 different hospitals. It's through a company called EmCare and they staff ER's with docs and midlevels throughout the country. I'll just work in the fast track and the pay is awesome...$60/$65 per hr plus production bonus. You just have to work 9 shifts per month (10-12 hr shifts) in order to get full benefits, including a 401K. My friend works for them and she averages $75/hr with her bonus. We used to work at the same UC clinics and she said the ER job is a lot easier with less responsibility b/c the doctors see all the difficult patients. Unfortunately, you need 2 years of midlevel experience in the ER or in an urgent care clinic before they will hire you. Although, I've heard that some hospitals hire ER NP's who just have ER RN experience.

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I'm waiting to hear back from a job in San Antonio as well, don't know much about it yet, it is fast track, 5 month pos. 70$/hr, not sure if housing included or not, either way sounds interesting.

there's another one outside of dallas, not sure the pay but a traveling position.. but was told would have to stay in a hotel. Don't think i can do that unless it at least has a kitchenette... i can live small spaces, but i eat healthy and don't want to eat out every meal or not be able to keep some snacks/fruit cold or heat up some soup...

we'll see what the pay is..

For those looking for locums, here are the companies/websites i have been contacting.

http://www.locumtenens.com/Physician-Jobs/Job-Details/Nurse-Practitioner

http://www.comphealth.com/traveling_nurse_practitioner/search_results

http://www.alliedhealth.com/searchresults.asp

then i always get the daily email from:

http://www.npworld.us/jobs/

they have sometimes locums positions as well.

Right now priority for me is whatever job for the most pay to pay off my student loans. Since the first job had some issues, i'd rather go into a job knowing it probably won't be great but at least i'm getting paid big bucks for it, and can stick it out and leave in 3 months... and who knows something could turn out great and they may want you to stay, and i will have the option of deciding whether i want to or not...

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I'm waiting to hear back from a job in San Antonio as well, don't know much about it yet, it is fast track, 5 month pos. 70$/hr, not sure if housing included or not, either way sounds interesting.

there's another one outside of dallas, not sure the pay but a traveling position.. but was told would have to stay in a hotel. Don't think i can do that unless it at least has a kitchenette... i can live small spaces, but i eat healthy and don't want to eat out every meal or not be able to keep some snacks/fruit cold or heat up some soup...

we'll see what the pay is..

For those looking for locums, here are the companies/websites i have been contacting.

http://www.locumtenens.com/Physician-Jobs/Job-Details/Nurse-Practitioner

http://www.comphealth.com/traveling_nurse_practitioner/search_results

http://www.alliedhealth.com/searchresults.asp

then i always get the daily email from:

http://www.npworld.us/jobs/

they have sometimes locums positions as well.

Right now priority for me is whatever job for the most pay to pay off my student loans. Since the first job had some issues, i'd rather go into a job knowing it probably won't be great but at least i'm getting paid big bucks for it, and can stick it out and leave in 3 months... and who knows something could turn out great and they may want you to stay, and i will have the option of deciding whether i want to or not...

The job in San Antonio will probably pay for your housing. I have a friend who works fast track PRN in SA and he LOVES it!

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