Why is our salary so low?

[AAC.271]

Something I grapple to understand is how come our average salaries are in the $99k range. Is it because most NP's are new to the career and that skews it do the lower end?

If we are reimbursed 80% of what physicians get, why are we paid 1/4 of what physicians make? In independent states where you open up your own practice, how much do you make?

[reggaemuffin, MSN, NP, CNS]

As a lot of us have been saying for a long time, our reputations (and earning ability) are being damaged by the proliferation of low-quality schools turning out hordes of minimally prepared graduates. Physicians are so aware of the ubiquity of on-line "diploma-mill" graduate programs in nursing that many assume that is the prevailing model of graduate education in nursing. I talk to physicians who are sincerely surprised to learn that I attended a "real" graduate program at a well-known and well-respected B&M school, and have a "real" degree; they didn't know there was such a thing. IMO, we should be v. alarmed about the fact that the physician community is starting to assume that all graduate degrees in nursing are a joke and don't need to be taken seriously.

But, again, like so many problems in nursing, this is something we (collectively) are doing to ourselves.

Sing it, sister !

[reggaemuffin, MSN, NP, CNS]

This is the same poster that commented that NP school is a good option for someone who "struggles with academics" and wouldn't get in to medical school.

Perpetuating that view point is one of the reasons we get paid significantly less than our physician colleagues. You want to go to a school with low requirements that doesn't expect much of you academically then come out and get paid the same as a physician ? Seriously?

It drives me crazy that we have schools popping up with very few requirements or expectations. But if you want to be treated the same as our medical colleagues, take ownership of your own education, learn the practice inside and out and have respect for the role. Then you can reasonably expect a seat at the table.

[AAC.271]

What is all this hate with online degree programs? I came in having a very positive view of online programs, but the hatred in this forum against them is insane and i feel like i'm starting to drink the koolaid for it as well. There are ZERO studies showing quality differences between a brick and moartar prepared NP and a online degree NP from Walden. You don't need to go to a brick and mortar school to learn stuff.

[AAC.271]

SEE EVEN IN MEDICAL SCHOOL THEY DO ONLINE LECTURES. And from what I hear, they waste so much time with their TBL's

[Aromatic]

SEE EVEN IN MEDICAL SCHOOL THEY DO ONLINE LECTURES. And from what I hear, they waste so much time with their TBL's

online lecture yes, online unproctored tests and physical exam check offs, no

we do TBLs but its still not as big of a waste as writing papers and research fluff.

we aren't really comparing online vs BM. we are comparing sucky for profit education vs an actual challenging NP education.

but anyway...

all type of provider education should be difficult.

Medical school does one thing better than NP school in that it sorta forces you to know the stuff you need to know to practice. You can't pass without at least getting enough out of it to provide safe medical care. Some NP schools do this too, but many of these nitwitU schools do not. Sure, some docs do a bad job, but id say its usually out of laziness.

The happy medium for a provider really lies somewhere between NP school and MD school.

But if you want to be a good provider you can put the work in through either path and do a great job without learning every nerve in the body and what it does bc I'm sure the hell not gonna remember this **** 7 years from now when I'm done lol.

[Jules A, MSN]

JellyDonut, but what about those of us who have 20 yrs of nursing experience, and went to a brick and mortar school? I don't claim to be a physician, and don't expect to make equal salary, but as a provider I am now making money for the hospital. My salary should have increased more than 10k/yr when transitioning from RN to NP.

Your salary definitely should have increased more than 10k a year and if it didn't I wonder why NPs in your area are accepting it?

[Jules A, MSN]

so you make more than most most physicians at over $200k? How do you do it?

No I don't make more than most physicians. My physician colleagues who aren't medical directors make around $300,000 so I'm still way less than their wage which I can accept because their knowledge and education is far superior to mine.

The way I make this much is by knowing my value, having excellent contacts it would be difficult for admin to turn down a medical directors insistence they match my rate when its so much less than what they are paying psychiatrists and I'm willing to walk if they don't. My base salary at my benefitted position is $190,000 the extra comes from call, holidays, weekends and OT.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

Well NitwitU is CCNE accredited so whateva.....

[AAC.271]

Are you in. Psych?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

online lecture yes, online unproctored tests and physical exam check offs, no

we do TBLs but its still not as big of a waste as writing papers and research fluff.

we aren't really comparing online vs BM. we are comparing sucky for profit education vs an actual challenging NP education.

but anyway...

all type of provider education should be difficult.

Medical school does one thing better than NP school in that it sorta forces you to know the stuff you need to know to practice. You can't pass without at least getting enough out of it to provide safe medical care. Some NP schools do this too, but many of these nitwitU schools do not. Sure, some docs do a bad job, but id say its usually out of laziness.

The happy medium for a provider really lies somewhere between NP school and MD school.

But if you want to be a good provider you can put the work in through either path and do a great job without learning every nerve in the body and what it does bc I'm sure the hell not gonna remember this **** 7 years from now when I'm done lol.

I hope you are responsible enough to review all of those nerves. Some future patient might be having trouble with some of them. And remember to look for zebras, not just horses.

The reason rare diseases seem rare is that providers rarely think of them.

[babyNP., APRN]

Having 20 years of nursing experience hurts you rather than helps you in the salary department. You are likely at the top of your pay scale as a RN but as a new grad NP, at the bottom. Most employers that I've seen will give credit for up to 5 years of nursing experience (usually half to one). I had 6 years and got a $30k increase although my colleague with 25 years experience made just about the same amount she did as a RN.

[Jules A, MSN]

And remember to look for zebras, not just horses.

The reason rare diseases seem rare is that providers rarely think of them.

Unfortunately this is a common complaint about NPs wasting time looking for zebras when in most cases, not all of course, what we see are horses. I'd respectfully assert that rare diseases seem rare because they are in fact rare.