Anyone have experience regarding dealing with noncompetes? Scenario is Critical Care NP, with agreement stating I won't take another critical care role within 35 miles of my current position for 2 years after leaving. Anyone think they would actually pursue enforcing this ?

**Edit - My "noncompete" was written into the main offer letter, was not a separate "contract" per say.

Hi all! I am graduating in March of 2025 with my FNP. I’ve been a nurse for 9 years. I am usually an okay test taker. I have been using the APEA course provided by my school and the Leik book (with flash cards and online Q bank) to study for boards. I’m scoring around 70-75% on practice exams. My question is do I need a review course like Sarah Michelle or one of the others? My school recommends only using APEA and Leik. I feel like I am doing well with studying so far. However, I don’t want to have to redo my boards or feel underprepared. Let me know what you think! Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Hi all!

I’ve been an NP (AGPCNP specifically) for a little over two years. Prior to this, I worked as a nurse in cardiothoracic surgery/CVICUs. The job I do now is with a large private-practice outpatient specialty group that is about as far from cardiology as you can get. I’m really wanting to get away from this job as it has been very draining - I can count on one hand the amount of weekends in the last two years that I’ve not had to take home charts to finish. Most of the APPs at the practice do not have this issue. I have done everything - pre-charting, using pre-set phrases, dictating, even seeing fewer patients. I had a brief job prior to the one I’m at now (I left due to moving states), and I did not have the charting issue, so I don’t think it’s entirely me. The SP I work with has very specific charting expectations. The specialty I work in is also very draining itself as everyone is in pain. This job has honestly made me want to back to bedside nursing, or some other nursing role that’s not directly patient facing. And that’s crazy to me because I’ve only been doing this for just over 2 years!! I worry about stepping back into an RN role in case it causes any issues with licensure as an NP in the future, and in case is looks bad when applying to possible future NP roles. I’ve thought about taking an RN job and doing an NP job in a different specialty part time as well. I really miss cardiology as well, and sometimes regret not specializing in acute care. Anyway, I’m starting to ramble. Anyone have any insight? Thank you in advance!

I’m really struggling with my current role as an FNP. I graduated in May 2023 and have been working in family practice for about 11 months now, but honestly, I can’t stand it. I always envisioned myself in a women’s health role, but there’s been no luck in that area. There are only two groups near me, and neither of them is hiring right now. At this point, I’m not even sure if that’s where I’d be happy either.

In my current position, I work under an MD PCP, but we aren’t accepting new patients, so I mostly have her existing clients. I’m frustrated because I’m barely getting any hands-on experience aside from the occasional pap or cryo. We don’t do any other procedures, and I feel like I’m not growing in my career.

A bit of background: I was an L&D nurse for 11 years, so I do have experience, but the transition into family practice just hasn’t been what I expected. The pay is about $10-15k more than I made as an RN, but the stress and lack of fulfillment are making me question whether it’s worth it. I’m honestly considering going back to a RN role.

There is a potential chance I could move in the future, but that’s not possible for next few years. I’ve looked into other roles locally but nothing I am interested in at all. I am stressed and unhappy and often bring that home to my family which isn’t fair to anyone. And yes I have talked to my preceptor and HR/NP supervisor about my concerns and it’s just basically “sorry, there isn’t anything we can do.”

Has anyone else gone through something similar? Thoughts or advice?

I’ve been an NP for 8 years and am thinking about transitioning into a nonclinical role. I’m interested in exploring the medical-legal route. It seems I can go 2 different routes for training and am seeking advice on which one to take.

Does a LNC have a limited scope compared to MPLC where there may be more variety/flexibility as it’s geared towards any medical professional and not just nurses? In other words, is a LNC pigeonholed into doing only nursing legal matters?

Or does it make sense to go the LNC route as I’m already a nurse and have this background?

Are LNCs more in demand than MPLCs or the other way around?

I appreciate any insight you can provide as I make my decision. Thank you!

What do you recommend to review for the PNP primary care boards? I am not able to attend the two day in person nap nap review course. Heard mixed reviews about Barkleys. What’s your opinion on board vitals? Any other recommendations in addition to the purple certification review book?

Hello! Is anyone here a nurse practitioner in Connecticut? Wondering how is the work climate in Connecticut? Are there good job opportunities and employers? Looking for any opinions and insight, thanks in advance!

I’m looking at gifts for my wife as she is coming up on 1 year as a NP as well as Christmas coming up. One thing I know she wants/needs but will not buy for herself is a bag to carry all of her things in. Any suggestions?

or My school requires the APEA exit exam. I read online (on the APEA website) that the in-person review was “worth it”…thoughts? I’m 100% up to travel to ensure I pass the first time, but don’t want to waste my time.

Hello!
I’m currently an RN living in Maine, looking to pursue my AGACNP. I’m also looking to possibly move back home to Alaska within the next few years. I’m curious about pay for entry level NP’s - and also if there are good education reimbursements for “moving” to AK to work.

I have 7 years of experience, all cardiac (tele, CVICU, cath and most recently outpatient cardiology) and 1 year per diem ER while full time CVICU. I would ideally be looking at outpatient cardiology positions, but not sure on how saturated the AK market is for NP’s and if I more or less will just have to “take what’s given”.

Interested in what pay is, as online research isn’t the most accurate sometimes. I’m currently making $40-$45/hr at my outpatient RN job. Locally in Maine I think we may have some over saturation, I’ve heard of new grad NP’s making just a hair more than I am now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone know how similar or different these are? Can a Canadian trained FNP work in the USA or visa versa?

Hello! I am a new-ish NP and currently applying for a new job after working for the past few years in Health Assessments (2 years). I'm ready to really dig-in and use my skills. I am applying for many different roles!

I have a 15-year background as an RN that sets me up well to apply for a specialty in either (1) cardiology or (2) gastroenterology (very different, i know!) - or the other option would be going into (3) Internal Medicine.

I'd like to focus my efforts on one of these! Can anyone bring insight into whether you enjoy your role as an NP in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, or Internal Medicine? Any pros and/or cons you could share?

Hi there !

I’ve been a long term lurker of this group. You guys are a wonderful community.

Just looking for a bit of advice with a job offer I’ve received. The area I’ve worked in as an RN for the past 10 + years has offered me an NP role. The clinic has not had an NP previously (correctional setting), just GPs. What, if anything, would you be asking prior to accepting the role? I do have a few questions to ask of mgmt/admin, but just wanted to see if I was missing anything.

TIA! 😻

Edited to add this is in Canada

Location? Remote? NYC based currently, happy but always looking

I've been precepting NP students for several years now and have gotten some AWESOME gifts. We are doing a secret Santa thing and I am trying to think of things under $75 that would be as useful as some of the gifts students have gotten me.

Examples:

1. USB powered warming coaster for coffee mug.
2. Docking station with wireless charger, pen holder, card holder.
3. Wireless charging adjustable phone stand for my work phone. Makes telemedicine visits even easier if I use an app outside of my EMR.

What are your favorite gadgets for around the office that actually make life better?

I've been an NP for 8 years and have been working in an ambulatory HF clinic embedded within a cardiology practice associated with the largest healthcare system in my state. For the last few years, I've been in a leadership role and am now an APP manager (the first in our practice). I have 2 kids, both elementary/middle school age. I still see patients 3 mornings/afternoons a week but mainly my job is administrative.

I thought I'd grow into the manager role, which in some ways I think I have, but I still really just... don't like it. I also feel like I'm missing out on a lot of stuff with my kids, and my eldest will be start to be home alone for a few hours 3 days/week next year after school.

For all of these reasons, I'm considering a major career move - remote/telehealth CHF monitoring programs that I could do from home. There may be an opportunity within my own health system which would be great, although I would consider other companies if needed.

Has anyone else made a switch like this? What are some aspects that I should consider when deciding? Any perspectives or thoughts are welcome!

Thank you :)

I currently work in gastroenterology and my current 1 year contract is up for renewal. As a new grad in central California I got 150k salary with no bonus

Free health insurance Unlimited CME money 5 cme days 5 sick days 9 paid holidays 2 weeks pto

I currently see about 20 to 24 patients per day. They offered me to either stay as an employee with salary or join the practice as a partner.

The new contract works basically get 120k salary and bonus every 3 months depending on how many patients I see. Currently the overhead costs per provider is around 40%. In the first 9 months I have brought in around 310k. The first month I saw no patients and for the first 2 I saw 10 per day.

I don't know what to do. Is it better to stay as an employee or join as a partner?

Anyone working with this format.

I work at a smaller practice as a new grad and I am so over it. The MD is pretty much retired, and while the cats away the mouse play. My MA literally has never worked a full work week while I have been there. She started 2 months before me and is still training and takes 20 minutes to room a patient leaving me with less time with my patient. The other MA and her are besties often covering each other. No office manager; the pseudo HR sees everything, does nothing. I am the newest person there and any time i ask for anything i am "changing things" and constantly being compared to previous PA (there for 7 yrs) and the one who befor me, left after 3 weeks with no notice (I suspect because this bs). The EMR is horrid, med lists are completely off, errors for sending out meds because pharmacy is not verified etc. I get pulled into anything admin related and its finger pointing. I am so over it today I pretty much lost it (thanks to my cycle) and said "its not my job its one of yours- whose- you all figure it out, you had more training and time here than me" and walked off. I hate being that person but i am now. I do not want to apologize for it either. I stayed late to chart, MA stayed late to watch youtube and make up her hours - I swear they have more flexibility schedule wise than me as a salary employee- and after everything- she comes by to ask me about something on her chin. I didnt even look away and just stated " I can look another time, I am still finishing charting- might be quicker if you make an appointment to see your PCP".

Ok rant over, please share when you were pushed to the edge. I am applying for jobs even thought I have been here for only two months. Being new is hard enough, not having an engaged supervising physician + specialty+ poorly written notes for complicated patients + shitty staff= i am over it.

I have a generous amount of CME money I need to use between now and June.

Does anyone have any good conferences coming up?

And does anyone know of a master list of conferences available to attend?

Thanks!

One of the job sites I signed up for keeps sending me locum positions, but they always need a provider within a week, which brings up how onboarding occurs. I know the RN side, but RNs aren't credentialed to insurance. So... Are you credentialed via your locum company? Or is it some black magic?

In your experience, how long does it usually take a job to check your references? Had an interview that went fantastic a few weeks ago, and the CMO reported that the staff spoke very highly of me and very impressed during my interview panel. CMO seemed eager to proceed with next steps, which will be her checking my references. I sent my references to her to be checked over a week ago, and so far none of them have been contacted, and I haven’t heard anything back yet. Is this pretty common? I completely get that things take time. I just don’t know what to expect? They made it clear that they wanted to move fairly quickly to fill this particular position, so when they seemed to like me in the interview, I figured the reference check would go a little faster. Now I’m overthinking.

Anyone have a reasonably priced contract lawyer to review new employment paperwork? Thanks in advance!

I am in my last six months of school. I am so exhausted. Between working, school, clinicals, running a household, and being the default parent, I’m burnt out. I know it will all be worth it and I have no thoughts of quitting, but I need some tips on how to keep going.

Hi everyone I took a 1099 job. Pay rate is pretty good for a new grad. However, now that I need insurance I am wondering what is the best way to go about paying for insurance out of pocket.

I am in the process of getting credentialed. I am a new NP. They are requesting references. 3 Peers and 1 supervising Physician who can vouch for my current clinical abilities... within the last year. Beyond my last preceptor, I'm short two peer references and I've never had a supervising physician. What's the workaround? Do I open up myself to legal problems if I ask NP's who can vouch for my work as an RN?

Private practice being bought out by corporate private equity (roll up). I'm one of a few NPs under one physician. Any one else experience this in their career? If so, how did it turn out for you? Better contract?

Hey team!

We get a lot of questions about selecting a program, what its like to be an NP, how to balance school and work, etc. Because of that, we have a repeating thread every two weeks.

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ALL questions pertaining to anything pre-licensure need to go in this thread. You may also have good luck using the search function to see if your question has been asked before.

I'm wondering if anyone has been in a position where they are working with physician who genuinely detest nurse practitioners? And if so, how did you learn how to take whatever a decent advice they had to offer without taking everything else they said personally? And yes, I am also talking to a therapist.

Saying this because this is a first for me. I've always had a at least decent relationship with my physician colleagues, and I'm very open to learning from what they want to teach me. I am not in denial that what they learn about healthcare is far greater than what I've learned, and I've been grateful for having some amazing mentors, including at my current job.

But one of the lead physicians at the clinic I work with has expressed time and time again that she does not believe nurse practitioners have a role in healthcare. She also lacks a lot of self-awareness or maybe just general awareness. An example is when I prescribed an antibiotic for a patient that is not necessarily first-line but is far more appropriate for renal dosing, which this patient needed. Without even looking into the patient's chart or trying to understand why I did that, she went on a tirade about how nurse practitioners don't understand basic pharmacology. She makes these kinds of comments often, and when other physicians indicate that they agree with me, ignores them.

I like this job otherwise, and I'm trying to figure out how to not have my self-worth completely crash. Does anyone have any tips for staying humble and learning, but also for dealing with toxic coworkers with more power over you?

Thank you!

I am currently in NP school. I am torn if what to do. I really want to do addiction and substance abuse / detox management. Should I go the psych route or do FNP and then get certified? I like the idea of treating patients as a psych NP but also don’t want to limit myself cause I also love the medical side of things.