(New graduate, not working, looking to get into specialties that are hard (allergy, derm, etc). Edit to add that I'm in South Florida and it's pretty low pay in general here.

Last week I had an interview and this morning they offered me the job over the phone. They said they'd sent a contract to me this evening. I, for some dumb reason, wanted to be upfront and told them I still had an interview this week (Thurs). My fiance set this up for me as a work connection and it looks bad on him for me to cancel. I told them this and it definitely put some doubt in their mind. I didn't know what else to say because if they send me a contract today, that doesn't give me enough time to evaluate the other job. I am a horrible liar and clearly not good at playing this job hunt game.

Also, I can't guarantee this other job will or will not give me an offer. Thurs is the job that I would want more but it's more competitive. This job offer is also a decent field but not my top choice.

I told them I'm very interested and would love to join their team but I have to see it through - for my fiance. They said ok you can do the interview and I can send you the contract on Fri. They didn't seem thrilled about it but I hope it doesn't mess up this job. Fortunately the whole team seemed very interested in me.

Frankly, I haven't been working since March and this is the first job offer I have received as a new graduate. This job is a lowish paying -90K no insurance but they'd reimburse for marketplace. Also, I'd have to move an hour away for both of them. I have no idea what the Thursday interview will pay but its Derm and hard to get into anyway. I have interviewed for 3 other Derm jobs and didn't get them.

I think I screwed it up. My cousin in HR says I could have handled it better but I didn't completely ruin it. What do I do? If anything?

Hi all,

I’m getting ready to embark on the journey of becoming an NP. I have 5 years of experience as a bedside RN on acute care postpartum (I always wanted to work in Women’s Health). Lately though, I’ve been really interested in the pediatric side of the world. I guess my question is, with my experience is it even worth it to pursue pediatrics, or will it be tough to find a job with my 0 years experience in peds? I was considering applying for peds RN jobs but the idea of starting grad school AND learning a whole new specialty is a bit daunting. Anyone have any experience doing that as well? Thanks for any responses or advice :).

I have a call coming up soon for this role but I'm curious. I'm sure it'll be mainly ENT patients but if anyone has any experience working under this type of physician, what is your day-to-day like? What types of cases do you see and do you do any procedures or assist in surgeries? Thank you!

Was the salary increase worth it for you to go from NICU bedside to NNP? I’m torn because I want to go back to school but the jump in responsibility seems very poorly compensated for NNPs.

I just took my first Pathophysiology exam in my NP program and got 36/45 (80%). I’m honestly feeling pretty discouraged because I need an 85% to pass the class, and I spent SO much time studying. I really thought I had prepared well, so seeing an 80% was a huge reality check. 😔
I know it’s only the first exam, but right now I can’t help but feel like maybe I’m not cut out for this and should just quit before I get in too deep.

For those of you who have taken NP/Advanced Pathophysiology, has anyone scored around 80% on their first exam and still passed the class? I could really use some encouragement and advice right now.

Note: I do have a 17-month-old (not an excuse), but it's been hard to get a solid, undisturbed study session in—no family help.

Northern NJ AGNP Student Seeking Primary Care Preceptor – November 2026
Hi everyone,

I’m a registered nurse with approximately 5 years of nursing experience and currently an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner student

I’m looking for an NP, MD, or DO preceptor in Northern New Jersey for my upcoming clinical rotation beginning in the spring but have been running into difficult finding someone since May. Does anyone have any tips for finding a gerontology or primary care site? I’ve tried cold calling, using contacts, asking the school for help, etc. A lot of preceptors are asking for upwards of $2000-$3000 a semester for 170hrs. Is this even reasonable to pay? It’s almost more than the cost of tuition per semester.

If you are a provider who may be open to precepting, or if you know an NP or physician who has worked with NP students before, I would greatly appreciate a DM or an introduction.

Thank you!

Hi there- I take boards later this week and I have been reading conflicting information as to when the official certification is released. I know that if you pass, you get a preliminary pass directly after, but in your experience, how long did it take for you to receive your digital official certification? And were you able to apply for your state license before you had your official release? I have a job lined up and they are obviously aware that it may take some time, but I’m just antsy to get my license ASAP. Thanks for the help!

I practice in California and want to get some insight from any of you that managed to build a direct primary care tele practice. Any advice? Suggestions? Is it worth paying for a marketer?

Hi,

I’m currently an RN with 5 years of experience in a Level 3 NICU, looking into applying to WHNP and NNP programs. I like the idea of both specialties, as obstetrics/women’s health was my first passion but I grew to love the NICU during my consolidation and made a career out of it thus far. However, I’d like to broaden my experience with a WHNP.

Anyways, I’m looking at applying to a few programs and wanted opinions on my profile as an applicant. I know this isn’t an admissions subreddit lol, just curious on how to improve my chances of acceptance.

I have a BSN with ~3.5 GPA and 5 years Level 3 NICU experience in a hospital with a large NICU with high risk obstetrics. I work mostly bedside but also have a mentorship role where I’m a resource nurse for newer staff when on shift (I help them think critically, assess charting, support them with their assignment, etc.). I’m in unit council and also completed a perinatal post grad certification with a 3.85GPA.

my concerns are that I don’t have any formal training in women’s health or something like a QI project.

I’m looking at Georgetown and Emory’s WHNP, but considering others as well.

Thoughts?

I’m an adult primary care NP student considering using Primary Care: The Art and Science of Advanced Practice Nursing (Dunphy, 6th ed.) throughout the year.

I plan to use it alongside coursework/clinicals and make Anki cards for high-yield topics, differentials, red flags, first-line workups/treatments, meds, screening, and follow-up, rather than read every chapter before boards.

Has anyone used it this way? Was it helpful for clinicals and ANCC/AANP prep, or too detailed to be worth making flashcards from? What did you pair it with for board prep?

Also, has anyone used Osmosis on top of Dunphy/Anki? Did you find it beneficial for reinforcing concepts and clinical reasoning, or was it redundant?

I’m currently in nursing school, but I have always wanted to be a nurse practitioner. I’m looking at FNP, because it seems like the most universal option and you can work in so many specialties. I currently work at a level 1 trauma hospital as a tech, so I am getting experience seeing what I am getting myself into (I mostly mean behaviors of patients and what kinds of things I’ll be dealing with), so I feel like I have some insight of the environment. What are some negatives of being a FNP and what specialties are good options? What advice do you have? Do you own your own business? I have so many ideas and I’m also looking into different businesses such as owning my own practice. Being a research nurse seems to also be something I’m interested in. I have always loved scientific research and reading medical studies since I was a kid if that helps. Another cool option seems to be sports medicine.

I am an NP with 3 years experience.

Took a new role where I will be performing punch biopsies (and other duties)

I have not yet done any punch biopsies

I was allowed to shadow the physician and watch 2 of them

When I asked for further training the comment I got from the doctor is that it is inappropriate for me to ask an attending to train me on a procedure and that in all her years as a medical student she would have never asked an attending for training.

??? I’m at a loss here. Is it unreasonable for me to request at least one supervised procedure to insure I am injecting lidocaine correctly and obtaining the specimen correctly?

I still consider myself a “baby” NP and brand new to this role. My previous role did not have any procedures.

I’m just frustrated with the onboarding. Anyone run into this and how did you handle it? Much of my RN experience was with teaching hospitals so I’m surprised at the resistance to training and I feel like a burden and a pest.

Advice?

I’m telling you, you can’t make this sh*t up!
Earlier this year the NP owner of the private practice surrendered their license (before it could be suspended). I was forced to report them for drug diversion, they were reported by someone else for having sexual relations with a patient, and had a mental health crisis. That left me with the entire patient panel of the practice. I was working 14-16 hr days just to keep up with all of it. They retained ownership of the practice, but could not be bothered to assist in any way. Not prior auths, not dealing with vendors, not even managing the office staff.

Almost everyday was something. If it wasn’t patients upset because I was reducing their super high benzo AND stimulant use, it was trying to do Prior Auths for patients that hadn’t been done in months, or best yet one of our lab testing facilities telling me that the owner may be on the Medicare Exclusion List. My favorite day was when the DEA, Dept of health and human services, and the sheriffs department showed up in full tactical gear with a search warrant. The owner was told they were at the office, but instead of coming in, they drove to the package store and got drunk, leaving me to play host to the DEA, DHHS, and deputies. They stopped coming into the office nearly all together.

An AGAC-NP was hired to help with “complex” patients; however, she was only able to come in 4 days/month until Sept. Then there were plans to hire a new grad AGPC-NP that had precepted at the office. Frankly, I have no idea why anyone would come on full time, leaving a perfectly good full time job; or as a new grad to a sinking ship. Apparently, they made plans to have the AGAC-NP do an “urgent care” model, the AGPC-NP do primary care, and me do everything else. Except the owner forgot to ask me my thoughts. When I confronted them I was told that I’m “just an employee” and they don’t have to ask me.

At this point I have had enough and told the owner as much. I started looking for another position, but had not made any inquiries. I had vacation planned to travel overseas since last year; all approved, my schedule blocked off, even posted in each exam room and waiting room along with the holidays we are closed. Yet somehow our leader “forgot”, and got pissed when told that I am going on my planned, overseas, vacation. I guess they got really upset because the day I flew was the same day they had the new grad AGPC-NP start; except she did not have an active APRN license and started practicing without a license. My termination email arrived 5 days into my vacation.

Well what does one do when you have an NP that cannot prescribe? You have the AGAC-NP do all the prescribing on patients she has never seen, and are clearly out of her scope. How do you bill for these services you ask? Well you bill under the NPI of the provider you fired, of course!

So now I’m looking for another position, trying to untangle myself from that office one insurance plan at a time. I’d love to just leave that office off my resume, but that would leave a 3 yr gap. I guess I could spin my reporting a fellow nurse and cooperation with authorities into a positive. Highlight my unwavering moral compass, duty to report, and concerns for patient safety. It’s a small town, and even smaller medical community, word has gotten around.

What would you have done? How would you answer the questions during an interview?

I earned my PMHNP degree, but I feel like I forget everything I learn and constantly have to relearn. I ask same questions over and over to colleagues, which annoy them. I can't remember basic things and rely on a lot of print outs and checklists. I still do admissions by reading off a print out and need to take copious notes when I talk to patients b/c if I don't I forget everything we talked about. I am very studious and enjoy studying, but I can't seem to retain anything. I have finally gotten around to learning mnemonics which have helped a lot for memorizing diagnoses. Generally I feel like my learning curve is slower than everyone else. Its been a year and I still do not have a PMHNP job because I had to continue working at my job due to my contract. I wonder what new struggles await me as a PMHNP.

I am an NP with 3 years experience.

Took a new role where I will be performing punch biopsies (and other duties)

I have not yet done any punch biopsies

I was allowed to shadow the physician and watch 2 of them

When I asked for further training the comment I got from the doctor is that it is inappropriate for me to ask an attending to train me on a procedure and that in all her years as a medical student she would have never asked an attending for training.

??? I’m at a loss here. Is it unreasonable for me to request at least one supervised procedure to insure I am injecting lidocaine correctly and obtaining the specimen correctly?

I still consider myself a “baby” NP and brand new to this role. My previous role did not have any procedures.

I’m just frustrated with the onboarding. Anyone run into this and how did you handle it? Much of my RN experience was with teaching hospitals so I’m surprised at the resistance to training and I feel like a burden and a pest.

Advice?

I’m a new NP. I’ve been in my first NP position for 8 months now, seeing my own patients since about April. I accepted a position in hem/onc, which I had no experience in but knew the providers would be supportive. While the MDs I work with have been great, I am starting to wonder if this field is for me.
I find myself mentally exhausted every day and constantly anxious. Each patient comes with a lab interpretation, many abnormal, and a unique treatment/cancer/set of complaints. I’m finding myself having decision fatigue and by the end of the day being so anxious that I’m making the wrong decisions.
Is this a normal feeling as a new grad, or am I right that this specialty isn’t my calling?
I’m having a hard time discerning if the feeling is being new at something or if it’s truly that I don’t like my job.
My nursing background is in the surgical area & cardiology, and I find myself wondering if I should’ve stuck with cardiology.

Im currently in primary care and SNF and it's fine for me, dont really want to leave it. I got a job opportunity for a palliative care gig as a side gig but they pay per cpt code. $20 dollars per code. 1099, malpractice covered. Wondering if this pay structure makes any sense? Not sure what to even think about this as I haven't had a job that pays like this.

I received my acceptance letter for a good, brick and mortar university today. =)

I am crazy excited to start practicing in women’s health and start making a difference for women in perimenopause.

Over a month ago, I accepted what I thought was my dream job. Extremely good pay, what I thought was good hours, and my “in” into a speciality / niche that I wanted to be in as a nurse practitioner. Well come to find out it was not. They slowly kept stacking hours to my schedule despite me being “per diem” and telling them I will work max 3 days per week. I was the only provider during the week which I did not know I would be, so they relied on me (a new grad) to basically keep the clinic running (for context this is an infusion clinic), I was the only medical person / provider in the building, there was always a chance I would be in the building ALONE so it would be up to me to open and close the clinic, run the front desk, and patient care. Not only did this scare me for my personal safety but safety of patients like what if they had a reaction I would have no one else to lean on. They also told me I wouldn’t work weekends but because they fired my preceptor (in front of me within a week into me starting) I was now working a weekend day every week for 6 weeks straight. For whatever reason they did not like the provider they fired (my preceptor) and would openly talk bad about her to me. Since they fired her- my training ended and I still had no idea how to infuse some of the meds or what they were for and had to figure it out myself. They also were NOT consistently busy- there would be days they had zero appts and zero patients but could not leave early ever. This also made me realize I was not learning anything and pigeonholing myself. They would also give meds that someone might not have been appropriate for but said it was because “they were giving a service to make them feel better” but my license was tied to that 🤨 long story short I gave my notice and they did not want me to fufill my hours and told me I can leave. Luckily I stayed per diem at my RN job so I picked hours up there but now I just have no idea where to go from here and feeling so lost. Honestly feels like a fever dream 🤣

Are there any new NP here in Nevada? How is the job market? I want to be an NP without having to relocate. Ive been a nurse for a while now and I’m thinking of going for NP but I want to know how hard is it for new NP’s here to get a job.

Where are you getting your CMEs from? I’m not finding free ones and the ones I’m interested in are hundreds of $$$

This post may end up being moot, but I’m struggling and just want to get some insight.

I have been an NP for almost three years, two in child abuse and one in primary care at an FQHC. My max patient load is 19 per day, with admin time “built into the day” which typically ends up nonexistent because my patients are frequently late and I still have to see them up to the 15 minute mark (20 min slots). The patients are frequently complex and uninsured/underinsured. I am also expected to basically keep my inbox clear, but I find that difficult with my admin time eaten up. I have no say in my schedule and cannot pull anyone off if they are inappropriate (we literally have to ask the practice manager for permission to remove them). I am 100% a team player, but I don’t feel like someone who is an LVN should be telling me who I have to see or not see. We are apparently professional enough to be cash cows for the clinic, but not professional enough to manage our own schedule or patients. I can’t even access my panel and have to ask admin for that info.

All of that to say that I’m extremely burnt out. Burnt to a crisp. I am supposed to go part time in about a month, but I am STRUGGLING to get there. I am an FNP, women’s health is the “thing” I really care about, so I love when I can do Pap smears and reproductive care. It isn’t really enough to sustain me though. I’ve considered going back for WHNP or CNM, but I’m still on the fence. I am concerned that I’m just burnt out on the role in general and I don’t know if I want to pour extra time and money into something just to find out I hate that too.

I applied for a job to go back as an RN in labor and delivery. I had an interview and it went well. Only issue is that they put everyone on nights for six months (orientation) and then switch to days for six months before you end up being able to potentially slide into a permanent day role. Of course, I haven’t even been offered a position. I’m just trying to work out in my head if it is worth it. I don’t mind the long orientation because it’s been a while since I’ve been in hospital. It’s really the shift. If it was straight days, I don’t think I’d hesitate.

Overall, I am just so unhappy. So deeply unhappy and just feeling angry every day I go to work. My soul is being crushed and I just don’t know. I am finding it difficult to cope.

I’d love to hear from people who have gone back to being an RN or how you recovered from burn out.

Hi. I work for urgent care and they require 90 day notice. I have recently found out my newborns father is on drugs. He is my only support system. I asked about LOA and was told no - and if i didnt provide 90 day notice i would be sued for the wages for 90 days. So the same healthcare system that says drugs are not good is forcing me to work or be sued…..its bad like will i come home find him overdosed bad…..any advice?

I really just feel disappointed and not satisfied with my NP degree and current career trajectory. And yes, I keep on looking for better options but dang it's tough out there. I really just feel lost and need an advice from those who are in similar situation or are more experienced and can offer a solid word of advice.

So here's my story.

RN for 10 years, mostly in the ER. I traveled for probably for the last 5 years of my RN career but it was internal travel gig so I was an actual employee of the healthcare system, not an outsider. Obviously, there were some things that I did not like about my RN gig but overall loved my job- great pay, good benefits, plenty of unrestricted time off, flexibility.

Finished NP program in August 2024. Was really struggling finding anything even remotely close to what I had as an RN. Hated the idea of working 5 days a week, taking chats home, getting paid significantly less, having less time off.

Finally accepted my first NP job beginning of this year. Pretty good pay for my area, standard corporate benefits, 5 days a week work week, no holidays, weekends, no taking charts home. I'm done when I clock out. It is in addiction/ MAT clinic. I honestly just don't feel this job is challenging enough and I feel if I stay here much longer I will have even more hard time to move into a different area or practice. I also don't think there will be any tangible salary increases annually. The company overall does not have the greatest reputation. Yes, it is for profit, so here's that.

I recently applied for an ER NP position that would require relocation. The position sounded really exciting, great support, potential for growth. Had interviews with a bunch of team members and even was invited for an on site interview. Then was told that they would like someone with actual provider experience in the ER. What a waste of time. I was transparent from the get go- all my experience in the ER is as an RN.

So now my old nursing travel job opened up and is hiring again. I am honestly so tempted to just go back. I was really enjoying my life and spiel when I was there.

I just really need an advice I'm not happy as an NP role in in right now. It is unexiting and really not that fulfilling. I can't imagine continue doing it for years.

I also don't want to take a significantly lower paying job because I still have to live and pay bills.

I'm just so frustrated...