NPs & PAs Are Talking – June 11, 2012
The first full week of June has been an exciting one for NPs
and PAs! Across our Facebook, Twitter
and LinkedIn pages, readers weighed in on the top issues.
On Facebook
this week, we discussed the recent DNP Answers blog
post "Time Management for a DNP Degree." Blogger Lisa Chism, NP, explained
the difficulties of balancing DNP studies with a part-time job. We asked
Facebook fans: "Would you work and get a DNP at the same time?" Reader Teanne
commented, "The DNP program I plan to go through
requires that you work because your capstone is centered around your place of
employment." If you have your DNP, what do you think of the capstone
requirement Teanne described? If you're thinking of pursuing the degree, do you
plan to work while taking courses? Let us know in the comments below!
On Twitter,
we shared a lot of great PA news. On both ends of PA education, we shared readers'
excitement on certification. "@hay_dub: Board certified Physician
Assistant!!!! Congrats to my fellow PA-Cers @LeeannParton and @lindleycg" we retweeted. If you have
an announcement in the PA or NP worlds, let us know! We love to share in the
excitement!
Our LinkedIn page was
buzzing this week with conversations about both professions and many job
resources. Group member Debra posted a discussion
on accountable care and is looking for opinions. "Hospitals and health
systems are rolling out accountable care pilots and programs across the
country. These new payment models require a tremendous amount of healthcare
practitioner involvement and cooperation, but to our knowledge, there is no
published data quantifying physician and advance practice provider preferences
or opinions about accountable or value-based care," she posted. What's your
point of view?
On our website,
the debate
for a PA name change continued. Reader Marissa commented, "Given the
increasing responsibilities PA's are expected to fulfill, the name assistant
hardly encompasses the breadth of autonomy and clinical duties expected. If we
are expected to assume greater responsibility, the title should imply this
role, and thus a change to associate is warranted."
Our 2011
Salary Survey report was also a point of interest again this week. Reader Cheryl
commented, "This is very discouraging...Why have NP salaries not gone up? I do
the same job as a psychiatrist in my work environment and make $130,000 LESS
than they do...and the DNP wont help by the looks of it." Reader Micki
said, "While the disparity in male/female salary may be a gender bias
by employers, some of it is the fault of the employees. Women are generally
less likely to negotiate for a higher salary or push for a raise. I made the
highest salary in my department, because I turned down the initial offer, asked
for more than what I expected, and negotiated until I got what I wanted!"
As the debate for fair pay goes on, what strategies are you
employing to make sure your salary is the best it can be? Let us know below or
by visiting the salary
survey results page. While you're there, take our 2012
National Salary Survey of NPs & PAs so we can ensure next year's
results are accurate.
Comments are reposted here verbatim, without editing. We
love to get feedback from our readers. If you're not chatting with us on Facebook, Twitter
and LinkedIn, "like", "follow" and
"connect" with us and start sharing in the conversations! If you are,
keep following and spread the word.
If there's something you think we should be discussing, let
us know. As always, thanks for following!