What is the next step after NP graduation?

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Greetings,

I just graduated from my FNP program and need some advice on what to do next. I will be taking AANP certification exam in a few days, and just submitted my application for NP license to Virginia board of nursing. Then when I proceeded to apply for the state license for prescription authority, the application requires me to sign a box, indicating that I have a collaborative agreement with the physician in place. But, then I don't have an NP job yet.

So is this something that I apply for after I find a job?

On the other hand, when I look for jobs, many of them want you to have all kinds of licenses, even DEA number. When I looked at the DEA application, it too requires me to include the address of the business that I work at as a prescriber. I did not even look at the NPI number yet.

What am I missing?

Thank you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

It can be state dependent. However, when they say they want a DEA/NPI number, they realize that as a new grad you won't have it.

Many practices will also pay for all of that. My practice paid for DEA, NPI, all credentialing at all the hospitals as well as pays for my license renewal.

Next step for you is to take the test :) Best wishes.

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In states that do not provide for independent NP practice, you need a collaborative agreement in place of some sort before you can apply for state prescriptive authority and (lastly) federal DEA authority. So, although you can be issued a license, you need to get a job before you can go further with the process. This also causes a big delay in some states as to when you can actually start working.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Yes you need a job first!! After getting the job and collaborative agreement you can apply for prescriptive authority and NPI (I think NPI asks for where you will practice). After you get prescriptive authority then apply for DEA (from application to getting my card was less than 2 weeks thankfully).

I'm still waiting on all of the other numbers from each insurance company so I can see anybody who walks in the door. My office had only hired a PA before so hiring a NP was a new experience for all of us.

I wish there was some timeline made showing each step. I graduated almost 3 months ago and am still waiting on some of these numbers to come through.

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Specializes in medical surgical.

My NPI number came through but it takes some time. I ended up not getting a DEA number. Too many restrictions in my state plus we have a medical director who is a MD that can write my scripts.

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Thank you all.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Greetings,

I just graduated from my FNP program and need some advice on what to do next. I will be taking AANP certification exam in a few days, and just submitted my application for NP license to Virginia board of nursing. Then when I proceeded to apply for the state license for prescription authority, the application requires me to sign a box, indicating that I have a collaborative agreement with the physician in place. But, then I don't have an NP job yet.

So is this something that I apply for after I find a job?

On the other hand, when I look for jobs, many of them want you to have all kinds of licenses, even DEA number. When I looked at the DEA application, it too requires me to include the address of the business that I work at as a prescriber. I did not even look at the NPI number yet.

What am I missing?

Thank you.

Employers just want to to be eligible for DEA/CSM/NPI. Most places will do this for you, including the cost, after you are hired! You focus on that exam.

Sent from my iPhone.

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It is ENTIRELY state dependent. Only some one licensed in your state or your state board can be a resource for you. For instance, you can't even apply for a license until you have a job (supervising MD) in my state (NC).

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