[NPInfo] NP-RN salary chat

[Carla Anderson]

I also agree that RN salaries/wages traditionally are higher everywhere and have differentials for shifts, weekends etc than NP rates. This I believe will continue to be the case as long as there are RN shortages compared to NP demand.  A hospital may need one NP and they need 50 RNs.. so there is better negotiating power. I have noticed this from the moment I graduated as an NP. I agree that there are many reasons why I have chosen to become an NP, and I was aware that it was not only for the increase in pay (but I do admit, as a new graduate, I did not realize that you might be making LESS).   However, I do believe that NPs who go into their own practice as a provider (RNs go into their own business as well, but in different ways, such as legal nurse consultant) or start their own companies, and make use of the additional education and clinical training in that manner will create change. I believe, again as many have been saying, that as nurses and nps, stop talking and
 starting doing. I echo what Tracy said, physical therapists, and massage therapists have been doing this for years. Just look at your scope of practice, carve out your niche, and start hanging your own shingle as a professional. Regarding being an employee, many choose that, but it is a matter of supply and demand, and that will continue to affect salary, so I think that it will take a bit longer to show that the pay is a measure of worth regardless, and that will only happen if a large majority of NPs and PAs that seek employment, are consistent in not setting their own personal bar too low in what they will accept, so that even if there is a low demand, the potential employer will realize they need to raise the bar of wage offered to get anyone. Carla/Portland, OR

karenfnp at comcast.net wrote:  I have chosen to work on call at a local hospital in mental health as an RN for the past 3 + years. The most important benefit to me is flexibility and I receive more hourly because other financial benefit from the institution. I value being able to work when desired. I enjoy the staff,managment and organizational culture at the hospital so it is fun to be there most of the time.

For weekend evening shifts, I earn $14 more an hour than I do in my new full time salaried NP position during the week in community based geriatric settings.

I know a couple of psych NPs who work 0.8FTE at the hospital and have full benefits and enjoy their psych NP work part time and so have the best of both worlds. 

As NPs start their own companies and have more negotiating power in the workplace , then I hope there will be more valild reimbursement for our work.

The best situation I had as an NP compared to MDs was working in a house call practice where I was reimbursed on a fee for service basis just like the MDs were. The downside was there was not much admin support as a contractor and so alot of time was taken up with billing and such that carved into other parts of life.

I enjoy reading the dialogues.

Karen 
Portland
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