I just got hired per diem at a substance abuse treatment facility as an FNP (2 yrs experience). A friend of mine is a psych NP who just graduated this past Summer, got hired at the same facility around the same time. She makes substantially more than me. I knew this going into my interview and negotiated, but was turned down, and told that "psych NPs always make more." I took the job anyway because I love it, but honestly (and please NO offense intended) don't get the salary discrepency.
I carry a load of 25 - 30 patients, she has 8-10. I prescribe everything from htn meds, insulin, suboxone, and she only prescribes the mental health meds. I do physical assessments, she does not.
Is this difference in pay typical? Again, without sounding like an ignorant buffoon... why?
Hello, I know this question is a bit off topic, but I would like to ask the psychiatric NPs, what are the expectations and the boundaries of the psychiatric NP in regards to diagnosing and treating mental illness. For example would you be expect to diagnose and treat something as complex as undiagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, etc. or is this something only the MD manages.
Hello, I know this question is a bit off topic, but I would like to ask the psychiatric NPs, what are the expectations and the boundaries of the psychiatric NP in regards to diagnosing and treating mental illness. For example would you be expect to diagnose and treat something as complex as undiagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, etc. or is this something only the MD manages.
We do exactly the same as the MDs. The MDs are my colleagues and we see the exact same patients, treat exactly the same way, bounce ideas and plans off of each other. I cannot tell the difference between the NPs and MDs at my organization.
B Guinn, BSN
1 Post
Hello, I know this question is a bit off topic, but I would like to ask the psychiatric NPs, what are the expectations and the boundaries of the psychiatric NP in regards to diagnosing and treating mental illness. For example would you be expect to diagnose and treat something as complex as undiagnosed schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, etc. or is this something only the MD manages.