My Experience:
I graduated in 2006. At that time, I was not aware of the demand for nurse practitioners. Therefore, I applied to both RN and ARNP positions. To my surprise, the one and only response I received was for a Family Nurse Practitioner in a privately owned practice. This was the exact opportunity I was seeking. After all, it was the prospect of getting out of the acute care setting that motivated me to advance my career in the first place.
In my previous employ, I was accustomed to 12-16-hour shifts, with little to no breaks and an indifferent management team. So, it was understandable that I gleefully accepted a position with an eight to five workday, no call, no weekends, no holidays, paid vacation, paid CEUs, sick time and health insurance. And let us not forget, a nice bump in pay.
My first thought was: “What is this utopia you speak of?”.
Not only that, but the physician allowed me time to adjust to my new role as an ARNP. I saw ten patients per day, mostly those with acute illness (bronchitis, sinusitis, musculoskeletal injuries, abscesses, etc.). She asked me if I was ready before increasing my workload and made herself available to answer any questions. At the time, I did not know how rare that was, but since she made the decisions from day to day regarding the practice, she was able to accommodate me.
Now, I look back and think about my luck in finding that practice and that provider. On paper, I was not the most impressive candidate since I was a new grad with no outpatient experience. However, that physician saw something in me, and I was hired on the spot. I stayed for 8 years and only left the practice because I moved out of the area for personal reasons.
Know your expectations:
In 2014, my resume was much more impressive thanks to my previous tenure. I had five interviews and 4 job offers before uprooting my life and settling in the area. The contrast in the interview process was quite different in my experience. As a new grad, my salary and benefits were set already. However, as a seasoned ARNP, I felt as though I had more control over those things. Again, I interviewed with the primary care physician who gave me a synopsis of the practice and his expectations. But this time, he asked me what my expectations were for the position. Luckily, I already had a dollar amount in mind as well as fringe benefits that I would expect.
And those numbers were not pulled from the ether. I had researched what the average pay for a 40-hour work week in a primary care practice would be in that geographical area. You can get some of that data from the internet or ask ARNPs that you know personally or from your graduating class. These things will vary widely depending on your specialty, experience and whether there are hospital rounds and on call duties. At the very least, it will give you a starting place for negotiations.
Practice makes perfect:
Of course, a successful interview is not just about negotiating compensation. Be prepared to give concise and thoughtful answers to other questions. I recommend watching sample interview videos, researching potential interview questions, and doing mock interviews with a family member or friend. Simple steps like that can help with any anxiety you may have about the process.
Ask Questions:
For new grads, do not forget to ask about census: How many patients are you expected to see? And how fast would you be expected to advance? Will there be administrative time to do ‘paperwork’? Being a new nurse practitioner is an overwhelming proposition. Therefore, make certain that you give yourself every opportunity to be successful. Meaning, do not be swayed by salary alone. If you are so overwhelmed that you cannot safely and effectively do your job, this may cause a devastating blow to your reputation, license, or both.
And be prepared to answer some:
And do not forget the typical questions: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? And How would you resolve a conflict with a coworker or a patient? Questions like these are more likely to come up if it is a nonmedical person who is conducting the initial interview. And it is a good way to evaluate your problem-solving skills and aspirations for longevity in that practice. Be honest, but thoughtful in your answers.
If this even helps one person, I will consider that a success. Be well.
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