What the heck is an NP 1 vs. an NP2, etc.

Specialties NP

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I've seen this in some recruiting ads. I had always thought that an NP is an NP. Is this yet another scheme to pay less for our services? Why don't they also have MD1 and MD2 for the physicians then? Maybe because the doctors would spit in their faces and move on? When will get the respect that we deserve?

Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

...actually the steps are probably every 2 years 'cause I'm close to the top :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
There is another (non-state funded) system in California that uses this (Kaiser Permanente) and they are known for excellent salaries for NP's based on where you fall in the designation.

Any feedback on Kaiser? I hear their pay for MDs is excellent and benefits package is amazing but there is talk of the golden handcuffs? Productivity requirements increase greatly every year?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
...actually the steps are probably every 2 years 'cause I'm close to the top :)

I'd probably take a hit there. I'm one of those who talks their way into a higher salary, although in my specialty I have been the first NP in both physicians groups so not exactly screwing anyone over. ;)

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

They pay more than UC for sure...it will depend on whether your hired under the Permanente Medical Group (non-union) vs Union. I think either way, Kaiser has sweet deals. They are one of the preferred employers in the area and have a high level of physician satisfaction.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

...Kaiser uses a lot of metrics to determine efficiency. They are a well-oiled integrated system that touts their quality. It may involve being productive, lol.

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Jules A, what type of NP are you making that salary? You can PM me if you want. I feel shortchanged:P

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Jules A, what type of NP are you making that salary? You can PM me if you want. I feel shortchanged:P

Psych. Thats my base, I make more because I pick up weekends, holidays and call. I'm in a decent paying area, have great connections and no problem asserting my worth. I know what I bill, know what psychiatrists make and am able to deliver the goods. FNPs in this area don't make as much as psych but even in my specialty there is a huge variation in wages which leads me to think much of it is about professional contacts, negotiating and being willing to walk if the deal is lame.

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Specializes in Hospitalist AGACNP-BC.

I work for UCLA. As an RN, I am at step 10 (10 years of experience). I just graduated from UCLA AGACNP program. If I were to start tomorrow, they will start me at NP1 for first 6 months. I would now be on the NP ladder. No longer on the RN ladder. Assuming I pass probation, I automatically become NP2, continuing on the NP ladder. They do not take into consideration how long Ive been an RN.

So for nurses who have been nurses for 20 years, NP2 salary is worse than what they make as RN level 15. But you get the autonomy that comes with being an NP. Just not as financially beneficial.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

@ Gemi523: Is this a union position as an NP? If it is, check the CNA contract. I work for a UC hospital (let's keep the location private, lol). When you hire in as an NP, you actually enter the number of years you have total as RN and NP on a grid that calculates where you fall on the steps. All UC hospitals are under one union contract with CNA.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Actually @Gemi523, I take that back. The contract, which can be found here: Current Contract | UCnet has different salary grids for each UC location. Looks like UCLA does have more steps than what we have where I am and maybe the policy there is not to add the RN experience to the total nursing experience which doesn't help an NP with years of pre-NP nursing experience. That's too bad.

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Specializes in Hospitalist AGACNP-BC.

Yes! The NPs are also covered under nursing, thus CNA. For me to become an NP, I will only be making $5 more since I also get the night diff as an RN. I have heard of other hospitals factoring in years of RN experience. That's awesome. Needless to say I will be leaving the UC system and joining a medical group and paid 1099 for each patient/procedure in acute care. Too many cooks in the kitchen at big university hospitals. Which I love and was raised on, But they havnt caught up like the east coast as far as autonomy as an NP in acute care. Plus the financial gain as 1099 is $$$ Bc you get rich. Not the house.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.
Yes! The NPs are also covered under nursing, thus CNA. For me to become an NP, I will only be making $5 more since I also get the night diff as an RN. I have heard of other hospitals factoring in years of RN experience. That's awesome. Needless to say I will be leaving the UC system and joining a medical group and paid 1099 for each patient/procedure in acute care. Too many cooks in the kitchen at big university hospitals. Which I love and was raised on, But they havnt caught up like the east coast as far as autonomy as an NP in acute care. Plus the financial gain as 1099 is $$$ Bc you get rich. Not the house.

I'm curious to know more about what you wrote. So, you're an acute NP who's working in an office and getting paid per patient? I'm graduating from an acute program next year and really want to understand what my options are. How much more can one expect to make doing a 1099?

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