Would you accept a position.....

mammac5 · Feb 25, 2014

Good question! I suppose it would have its pros and cons, like any position.

On the PRO side, you do not have to live up to expectations from previous NPs AND you have an opportunity to really write your own description of the job.

On the CON side, these folks may not have a CLUE what you should/are capable of doing as an NP so you're going to have to do some educating right up front or you may end up either being bored and underutilized OR in way over your head.

Rusty01 · Feb 25, 2014

yes if you are energetic and self-directed, you have the opportunity to set things the way you want them to function

blusueNP, MSN, APRN · Feb 27, 2014

Well, this has happened to me. I graduated with a post master's FNP on 1/22 and got this job in research. They advertised for an FNP to do physicals, interpret and sign off on labs and EKG's. I looked at the position and thought "here is a position with very little pressure". I have been working here for almost a month and am looking for another position. Why? I have done approximately 20 exams. Although the position was advertised to include both clinical and administrative duties, research is such that clinical duties are sporadic at best - the rest, (and I'm finding out) most of my time has been spent typing up doctors resumes for various pharm. sponsors and mind-numbing paper shuffling. When labs and other reports come in, the MD is called and he comes in to sign them off. I was told the other day that when he was on site, they would rather have him do the physicals. Ok, so those are two items in the job description that have been taken away. I shadowed him for about 3-4 days and he was almost apologetic to the pts in needing to give them a physical - and I use the word loosely. I didn't know you could exam the abdomen with the pt standing! There are no oto/opthalmoscopes in the exam rooms either, although the check list clearly lists "ears, eyes,throat" to be included in the exam. This physician is a lovely person, but he is a retired ob/gyn and he let me know that he was never certified in family practice. So my plan is to keep this position and study for the ANCC exam in May. I have been on some interesting interviews (one "working" interview, I did a GYN exam w/pap, but the plastic speculum had no teeth to click to keep it open and the other NP said they ordered them that way because it was cheaper!) I am board certified as a WHNP but only worked for a few months before going back to get my FNP.

allnurses Guide · Feb 27, 2014

Would you accept a position where you are the first NP to be hired into that department?

I wouldn't as a new grad.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

It would have to be an ideal situation, where I knew the other providers personally before I would even consider it. For the first job, I feel I will want to have alot of support and structure to help me in the transition from student to provider.

automotiveRN67 · Feb 28, 2014

My experience is a little different, but may be helpful to others. I started in a cardiology practice that consists of one cardiologist. He thought he might try a nurse practitioner.

Difficulties so far:

Staff: They are used to the way he does things. I do things a little different and this blows their mind. To say there is a lack of acceptance is probably accurate. To avoid being treated like an extra secretary is difficult.

Patients: Some have known him 20 years. Many won't see me unless they have to. Right now, I am seeing anyone willing, all hospital follow-ups (they know me from the hospital), and second visit on new patients (he tells them at the first visit "you will see my nurse practitioner next time").

Physician: He has never worked with an NP, and has some difficulty letting go. We have had long discussions about this.

Consulting physicians: "Are you sure you don't want to run that by him first?" "Is Dr. X going to see the patient also?"

Benefits:

It's new for both of us. We have a mutual need to build the practice up to keep us both busy. So far we have reached a compromise and it is moderately successful. I have busy days and not so busy days. I just roll with it. But I am very much a self-starter, so I just keep knocking down barriers.