Monday, October 16, 2006

What to do, what to do

As many of you know, newFNP has been experiencing distress at her place of employment as of late. This distress led newFNP to forward her CV to two of her public health type colleagues who are, as they say, connected.

And now newFNP has a job interview at the Cadillac of community health clinics.

Here is the conundrum. There is never a *good* time to change jobs. There are times that are worse than others. For example, newFNP has a three-week vacation planned in February. Is it a bad thing to say, "Oh, and BTW, I'm going to need to take February off. Problem with that?" NewFNP thinks that is not ideal. Secondly, newFNP let her CPR certification lapse. Fucking hell because now newFNP has to sit in that MF-ing course all over again. Double fucking hell because it looks flat out bad to let such a thing lapse when applying for new employment. Thirdly, newFNP's clinic just lost a provider - no big shock. This does, however, cause extra stress on the existing staff.

Finally, newFNP really likes and respects the MD with whom she works. NewFNP will need to excuse herself from work for a half-day to attend said interview. NewFNP wants to tell her MD, but doesn't want her MD to think she is a big ship-jumping a-hole. Ay ay ay. And newFNP is not even sure that she wants to leave her fucked up community health clinic for a more posh community health clinic. This posh clinic is at least 15 minutes further from newFNP's new apartment and, in newFNP's city, that could be a real problem.

NewFNP has about 10.5 hours to figure this all out.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

NewFNP: Don't get all shook up about the CPR certification. I went on a dozen interviews before I took my first position which I start in 2 weeks. Not one single person asked about when my CPR or ACLS expired. So, just schedule to take it ASAP and don't say anything about it in interviews. Your vacation is something you can negotiate when they make you an offer. Again, I wouldn't say anything about it in the initial interview. I am proud of you that you sent your CV out. I don't know where you are located, but in our Central Ohio area an FNP with one year experience should make at least in the mid $80s. Remember everything is negotiable.b Also, don't forget about profit sharing and productivity bonuses. You can try emailing the president of your state AANP organization to find out what the going rate is in your area. I have found that what ADVANCE published as "average" is far below what many NPs make. Good luck with your interview! I understand about not being sure about leaving your current practice. But, just remember, there will be patients who need you and are grateful for you wherever you go.

Anonymous said...

Too bad the vacation isn't in November, you need one! NPCentral is another website that has salaries, benefits etc listed geographically for FT NPs. Letting the CPR lapse does suck though - maybe some cutie pie EMT will spend your entire Saturday teaching you how to save a life.

Anonymous said...

Please tell us how it all goes!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope all the good karma we sent your way helped! Maybe you're out buying a new pair of Manolo's for your first day on the new job?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this blog... it is very enlightening and entertaining!
-- futureFNP

Anonymous said...

Hey New FNP. I graduated the same year as you did and was employed as an NP in a neprology practice in Atlanta. I recently accepted a job in an ICU. I reached the same frustrations that you are going through now. The trick is not to let the frustrations effect your work and your passion for it, which I am sure you don't. I had a great relationship with most of the docs for whom I worked, so I was in the same conundrum. The best advice was from a fellow physician outside of the practice. Her advice was "protect yourself". So, I did not tell them until I actually had an offer from the other job. I hope this helps. I guess they tell us in school that our first job is not our last for a reason. Good luck, hope this helps. Remember you are very good at what you do and so the nursing profession is lucky to have you so we won't loose you as a collegue due to buirnout, you must find a job that makes you happy.