As a new grad NP back in 2016, I had no idea what to look for in my first NP job. I was excited that I got to negotiate a high starting salary with benefits.
But what I didn’t know was that the support for me as a new grad was … to put it nicely… non-existent.
The “training period” quickly went out the window as clinic days were filled with walk-ins, late and cranky patients, and an unbelievable amount of admin work.
It wasn’t so much that I was struggling with my clinical skills (assessments, differentials, and patient education) - I was more struggling with managing my time efficiently with patient visits, charting my visits, coding correctly, and setting my boundaries.
I was struggling…to the point that my shoulders took a permanent place by my ears every time my day started. I began to have chest pains, anxiety, and even thought I was having gallstones! I gained 10 lbs. from eating scraps (Kit Kat bars, gummy bears, etc.) since I felt like I didn’t have time for a proper lunch.
I was so frustrated, but I temporarily got my act together and headed straight to administration to let them know what I needed to be successful - and they denied every…single…request.
I remember one day, I said to myself, “I’m going to have lunch today - no matter what! I’m a human, not a machine.” And just as I got ready to get my purse and walk out, the MA comes in with a chart for a patient who JUST got released from the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetes.
You might be thinking, why didn’t you just have the patient wait until you came back? That’s a great question.
The patient had been waiting 2 hours for another provider who was not going to be able to see them because they were running behind.
I had a line-up of afternoon patients and really didn’t feel like staying even later than I normally do.
I felt bad for the patient who just got diagnosed with diabetes and needed someone to help him get set up with the right education and self-management tools.
So I saw the patient and he was thankful.
You might be wondering if I ate lunch that day…
Nope. I ate a KitKat bar I had in my purse and kept it moving.
That same day, I said to myself, "Well, since lunch didn’t work out, at least I’ll be able to leave work on time." I was WRONG.
4:45 PM (same day) the same MA came with another chart for a patient that had been waiting over an hour for another provider and the patient was starting to complain.
I asked the MA, “Who authorized this?” and she said, “The administrator.”
This was my breaking point. I just couldn’t continue to do this any more. This system was so broken and it was breaking me!
After three months of this, I was burned out.
I re-read my contract and found that I had to put up with this for another 3 months in order to give proper notice…
So I did. I gave my notice and they were NOT happy…but somehow understood.
Looking back, there are a lot of things that I would do differently. However, the lessons I learned in the subsequent 3 months would serve me for the rest of my career. I couldn’t go on 3 more months if I didn’t change for myself.
I have used these skills throughout my career as a nurse practitioner and I am a more well-rounded professional because of it.
My friend, you are why I created Boss NP University. I want to help you through the struggles we face as early career NPs so that you don’t ever feel the way I did.
NP school doesn’t prepare us for the RN to NP transition and there are a lot of nurse practitioners that struggle in silence because they are afraid to admit they are struggling or are scared they “might get found out” (that’s imposter syndrome by the way).
I feel compelled to provide early career nurse practitioners with a safe space to share their struggles and learn how to navigate the unknown territory of the novice NP with confidence.
The resources and tools inside Boss NP University are strategically designed to help you THRIVE as a nurse practitioner.
Together, we can write the reputation of the nurse practitioner as elite advanced practice nurses who meet the challenges of the complex healthcare system with collaboration, empathy, trust, patience, and forward-thinking.
Doors are now open, but not for long. We will be closing registration on 1/31/2023 at midnight.
Let’s gooooo! See you inside!
WHETHER YOU’RE A NEW GRAD OR AN EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN, WE’VE ALL HAD OUR FEELINGS OF DOUBT AND “IMPOSTER SYNDROME.”
I know what it feels like to be excited about achieving a goal you worked so hard for yet still feeling lost and unsure about what the future holds. Now more than ever, the future of healthcare can seem uncertain and without opportunities.
Join a community of Nurse Practitioners who are taking control of their life and careers by setting themselves up for SUCCESS.
Dr. V hosts Masterclasses and LIVE calls covering how to manage the overwhelm so you can develop the skills you need to become the Boss NP you were meant to be.
HERE'S HOW NURSEREP CAN REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR CAREER:
Streamlined Tracking: NurseRep's intuitive interface allows you to easily track and monitor the status of your licenses, certifications, and continuing education hours. No more digging through files or worrying about missed deadlines. NurseRep keeps you on track and compliant.
Reminders: Stay informed and never miss a renewal or deadline again. NurseRep sends email and text reminders beginning 90 days from renewal deadline. Focus on providing exceptional care while NurseRep takes care of the administrative details.
Secure Documentation: Safely store and access your important documents within NurseRep. From licenses and certifications to reference letters and resumes, all your career-related documentation is securely stored and readily accessible whenever you need it. No more searching through piles of paperwork.
Seamless Transitioning: NurseRep simplifies career transitions, making it effortless to transfer licenses and certifications when relocating or changing specialty areas. Keep your credentials up to date and smoothly transition into new opportunities without the usual headaches.
We are dedicated to empowering nurses like you to achieve greater success in their careers. NurseRep is designed to save you time, reduce stress, and enhance your professional journey.
WHETHER YOU’RE A NEW GRAD OR AN EXPERIENCED CLINICIAN, WE’VE ALL HAD OUR FEELINGS OF DOUBT AND “IMPOSTER SYNDROME.”
Join a community of Nurse Practitioners who are taking control of their life and careers by setting themselves up for SUCCESS.
If you’re like many clinicians, you’re an achiever and an ambitious individual. You’ve worked hard to gain your current skills and talents. You committed to becoming an advanced practice clinician and to being the best YOU so that you can make your mark on the world. But it still feels like you are lost in a sea of job candidates.
I’VE BEEN THERE, TOO.
I tried to stand out from the crowd without tools or strategies for the NP job market. I was so lost at one point, that I began thinking about what it would be like to remain working as a nurse.
But I soon snapped out of it and began to search for resources and strategies that would give me the edge and help me shine in a crowd.
I created a portfolio and spruced up my resume. Before I knew it, I was getting call backs and job offers. I was able to land a 6-figure salary as a new-grad NP by leveraging my personal and professional background and skills.
Because of my own experience, I am committed to providing you with resources and tools that you can leverage to take your career to the next level. I share my knowledge and lessons learned so that you can transition into your new career with confidence.
If you’re like many clinicians, you’re an achiever and an ambitious individual. You’ve worked hard to gain your current skills and talents. You committed to becoming an advanced practice clinician and to being the best YOU so that you can make your mark on the world. But it still feels like you are lost in a sea of job candidates.
I’VE BEEN THERE, TOO.
I tried to stand out from the crowd without tools or strategies for the NP job market. I was so lost at one point, that I began thinking about what it would be like to remain working as a nurse.
But I soon snapped out of it and began to search for resources and strategies that would give me the edge and help me shine in a crowd.
I created a portfolio and spruced up my resume. Before I knew it, I was getting call backs and job offers. I was able to land a 6-figure salary as a new-grad NP by leveraging my personal and professional background and skills.
Because of my own experience, I am committed to providing you with resources and tools that you can leverage to take your career to the next level. I share my knowledge and lessons learned so that you can transition into your new career with confidence.
We are here to support Nurse Practitioners on their journeys to achieving their wildest career goals. Because when Nurses are fulfilled in their careers - the world wins!
Our mission is to elevate each Nurse Practitioner to practice at the highest professional level achievable by providing real-world expertise and resources.
We are here to support Nurse Practitioners on their journeys to achieving their wildest career goals. Because when Nurses are fulfilled in their careers - the world wins!
Our mission is to elevate each Nurse Practitioner to practice at the highest professional level achievable by providing real-world expertise and resources.
It’s tempting to just toss the idea of including a cover letter with your resume. However, that’s a trap that a savvy job-seeker can’t afford to fall in to.
Transitioning into a job is difficult. And if you’ve been there for a while and are over it - that can be the worst.
As a new grad NP back in 2016, I had no idea what to look for in my first NP job.
There are several reasons people decide to take the jump and move into the leadership role as an NP. However, I’m here to warn you: if you go in without a strong “why” that will allow you to last through the hardships - it will NOT be worth it for you.
Let’s talk about the top five reasons you aren’t getting the job
It's important for all of us to understand our value and our worth.
I’m going to take you through five ways to prepare for a video conference interview.
This is definitely a sensitive topic for many nurse practitioners, new and experienced.
Today we will talk about the five things I wish I knew before going to NP school because I believe this information will help you to make informed decisions about your education and your career.
This experience taught me SO much about the relationships we nurses build with our patients and the impact we have in the world.
Focus is the name of the game when writing nurse practitioner resumes.
It’s time to begin the search for your dream job. But where do you start? How do you prepare for a new job? In this week's blog, we will discuss the steps you should take to start your job search and prepare for your level up.
If you are a recent graduate or even an experienced nurse practitioner seeking new opportunities, you may wonder if LinkedIn is a valuable resource for your job search. And the answer is YES!
Here at The Clinician Life, we often get requests for CVs from nurses and nurse practitioners who are unclear about what a CV is. This confusion is understandable, as the terms “resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably. But they are not the same thing and it’s important to know the difference. In this article, we will help you understand when you do—and don’t—need a CV.
You have a stellar resume. You’ve submitted it to your dream job. And then…you get the call. They want you to come in for an interview! Now what? How do you convey your skills and personality to the interviewers so they can see your true value? We’re going to break down the four most important things you can do to shine in your next interview.
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