Category: Job Tips

Dec
19
2018
Advancing Your Medical Career in 2019
The new year is almost here and professionals across all industries will likely be setting their goals for 2019. This isn’t any different for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

At NP PA Recruiters, we know that you have big plans for 2019, from changing jobs to advancing in your current career path. If you’re eager to take advantage of the new year, then consider propelling your career with the following tips.

Tips for Advancing Your Career in 2019

1. Set SMART goals at the beginning of the year.
In order to get where you want to go, you need a career roadmap of sorts. Setting SMART goals at the beginning of the year can help you to visualize every step of the process to advance your career.

Remember that SMART goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-based
2. Develop your leadership abilities.
Advancing your career is generally synonymous with growing in responsibility and developing as a leader. Thankfully, there are plenty of programs and organizations that can help you to grow your leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, organizational skills, and ability to motivate your coworkers.

If the opportunity should arise, you’ll want to volunteer for any leadership roles at your current job. While it can be a challenge to have more responsibilities without greater pay, the experience will pay off in the long run.

3. Update your CV.
If you see yourself headed in a new direction in 2019, then now is the time to start gathering evidence that highlights your 2018 successes. You’ll want to use this information to update your CV and resume.

4. Take advantage of networking opportunities.
Networking has many benefits and yet it’s one of the most challenging actions to take for many professionals. While networking can take you out of your comfort zone, it can prove to be the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas and develop new perspectives on career challenges you may be facing.

Attend as many workshops, conferences, and webinars as possible. It might even be worth your time to network outside of your specialization.

5. Find a mentor.
Getting valuable insight – especially early on in your career – from an experienced NP or PA can be immensely beneficial in helping you to navigate the field. Learning about these real-life experiences can teach you valuable lessons you might not have picked up otherwise.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from an experienced peer or colleague.

6. Learn from your supervisors and head personnel.
Even if you don’t find a mentor, you can still learn from all the senior personnel around you. Observe how they handle priorities, make decisions, and navigate interpersonal relationships. These leadership skills can help to prepare for any advancement in your career.

7. Seek out additional certifications or take specialized courses.
One of the most engaging aspects of working as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant is the ability to specialize and take your career into an area better aligned with your interests. To advance your career in this manner, you’ll want to take advantage of any opportunities to further your education, including taking specialized certification courses or programs.

Advancement is often about getting out of your comfort zone to seek new knowledge and experiences. Furthering your education will help you to stand out as a candidate.

8. Take care of your health.
As a medical professional, you are fully aware of the importance of staying healthy. But the ability to do so can be a bit challenging when you are working long hours and handling other responsibilities.

Regardless, you should think of your health as one of your biggest assets. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to miss out on work (and vital opportunities) and the longer you’ll be able to maintain your career.

Eat healthily, exercise regularly, and get a good’s night sleep to keep your body in tip-top shape.

9. Work on yourself.
Aside from improving yourself on paper, you’ll want to work on your behavior and certain qualities that have been shown to impress bosses, including:
- Resilience
- Time-management skills
- Courage
- Focus
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Likability
10. Talk to NP PA Recruiters.

Everybody can use a little support when advancing their career. That’s why we have dedicated ourselves to helping nurse practitioners and physician assistants propel their careers to the next level.

Contact NP PA Recruiters today at (214) 351-3880 to see how we can help you. And don’t forget to check out our job board!
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Dec
08
2018
High Demand for Nurse Practitioners in Rural Areas
The fact of the matter is that rural America has a substantial need for health services that is growing in part due to a shift in demographics and also as a result of the increase of individuals now insured under the Affordable Care Act.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have become essential providers of healthcare for rural populations all throughout the United States. At NP PA Recruiters, we want to provide NPs with the information they need to make the best decisions for their careers.

As a solution to the lack of physicians in rural areas, NPs can have a profound impact on these populations.

America’s Rural Population Needs Primary Care Too

The 2016 census report revealed that roughly 19 percent of Americans live in rural areas. Just like those living in urban and suburban settings, these individuals deal with a host of chronic illnesses and other health issues that arise with age.

Alongside the percentage of Americans living in rural settings, the aging population of baby boomers has further increased the demand for health care services. With many primary care providers in rural areas retiring or nearing retirement age, this has only heightened the scarcity of primary care providers.

As the first line of assessing health concerns and providing basic health services, a lack of primary care practitioners – including NPs – in rural areas is quickly becoming a larger social concern.

The Impact of the Affordable Health Care Act

By 2017, nearly 20 million Americans had signed up for healthcare through the Affordable Care Act. While the ACA has proven to be beneficial for a vast number of individuals, it has had the unfortunate effect of exasperating an already depleted workforce – especially in rural communities.

While there is a growing number of healthcare professionals entering into the field, there is still an imbalance in that many are choosing to work in cities and larger urban areas.

One manner by which nurse practitioners and other primary care providers have been incentivized to begin moving into rural communities is through increased autonomy.

State legislatures all throughout the country are redefining the “Scope of Practice” for nurse practitioners in order to bridge the gap in accessibility of healthcare services in rural areas. The increase in autonomy has led a to wider availability of healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners.

23 states, including Guam and the District of Columbia, have reassessed their laws of practice, including some of the most rural states in the nation, such as:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maine
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Wyoming
A 2018 report by Health Affairs found that nurse practitioners now account for 1 in 4 of all medical care providers in rural areas.

Although there are many aspects of rural living that may deter NPs from practicing in these regions, it is important to highlight not only their impact in these communities but also how they benefit from working in these areas.

Three Major Benefits of Working in Rural Settings
1. Greater Workplace Satisfaction- NPs are able to develop closer relationships with patients and coworkers in rural settings. Patients are happier with their individualized visits and sense of importance, thus making the job less stressful for NPs.
2. Increased Autonomy and Independence – Due to the lack of primary care providers in rural areas, NPs have greater freedom to administer health services without the guidance of a supervising physician.
3. Salary and Loan Forgiveness – The pay for NPs primary care services will overshadow the minor inconvenience of distance to retail. Furthermore, there is potential for up to $60,000 worth of student loan forgiveness for those that will commit to two or more years of practicing in rural areas.
Rural Work Opportunities for Current and Soon to be Nurse Practitioners

America’s rural communities can use your passion and skills. Contact our medical recruitment agency today at 214.351.3880 for more information or take a look at our job listings.
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Nov
29
2018
Changes to PA Recertification Process Are Underway
Physician assistants are required to maintain certification by earning and logging at least 100 credits of CME every two years while also passing a recertification assessment at the end of every 6 to 10-year cycle (depending on when they originally obtained their certification).

However, changes to the recertification process are set to take place in 2019 in order to better prepare physician assistants for delivering quality care.

Let NP PA Recruiters keep you up-to-date on these changes to the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE).

A Brief Overview of PANRE

By the end of their sixth or tenth-year of their certification maintenance cycles, PA-C designees are required to pass a recertification exam known as the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE). This test covers general medical and surgical knowledge.

Physician assistants who are eligible to take PANRE for recertification include:
- PAs in the fifth or sixth year of their PA-C certification maintenance cycle
- PAs in the ninth or tenth year of their PA-C certification maintenance cycle
Additional requirements can be found at NCCPA.

PANRE Revisions

Changes to the physician recertification process, spurred by AAPA’s Board decision to work with an independent research organization to explore alternative methods and examinations for the recertification of health professionals, coincided with the NCCPA’s investigation into remodeling exams to optimally assess currently practicing PAs.

NCCPA ended up revising the PANRE to focus on core medical knowledge including:
- Knowledge of the diseases and disorders physician assistants encounter; and
- Knowledge and skills related to tasks physician assistants perform when treating patients.
All certified physician assistants will begin to take the newest PANRE version in 2019, regardless of their practice discipline or work setting.

Pilot Alternative Program

In order to provide additional means to recertification, the NCCPA developed an alternative pilot program to PANRE. Individuals who registered to participate in the program will begin in January 2019.

The program will consist of PAs answering 25 test questions online each quarter for two years – from January 2019 to December 2020 – for a total of 200 questions. Participants will have the opportunity to answer these questions all at once or throughout the quarter with the multiple choice questions covering core medical knowledge.

As of may 2018, more than 12,000 PAs had registered to participate in the pilot program which will allow PAs to test at home or at work. While participants are permitted to use reference material, they will have a limited amount of time to respond to each question.

Because this is a pilot program, a cohort of PAs will help to determine the passing standard for this alternative assessment. Physician assistants who successfully complete the pilot as determined by the passing standards will be deemed to have satisfied their PANRE requirement.

PAs who do not meet these completion standards will have one year to pass PANRE.

Individuals who have signed up for the recertification pilot program can find the policies and participation requirements here.

While there was some debate on whether the new PANRE test and pilot program were sufficient alternatives to the existing PANRE, Denni Woodmansee, MS, PA-C, Board Chair of the NCCPA, released a statement defending the action of the organization and helping to quell the controversy of changing the exam model.

As your team at NP PA Recruiters learns more about the new PANRE and pilot program, we’ll share relevant information here.

NP PA Recruiters seek to place qualified and passionate nurse practitioners and physician assistants into meaningful careers all throughout the nation. For more information, contact us today at 214-351-3880 to find the job of your dreams or take a look at our job listings.
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Nov
19
2018
7 Dos and Don’ts of Working with a Recruiting Agency
Your clinic’s reputation depends very much on your staff. Having the right people in place – including quality Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants – can prove to be fundamental to your clinic’s success.

But finding the right personnel is easier said than done. Luckily, there are medical recruitment agencies, like NP PA Recruiters, who can help you to find the right experienced professionals to join your team.

However, as useful as recruiting agencies can be, it is important to know how to work with them so that you can get the best candidate for your needs. Let our team at NP PA Recruiters provide you with 7 dos and don’ts of working with a medical recruitment agency.

The Dos and Don’ts You Need to Know

1. DO recognize when you need to work with a recruitment agency.

The recruitment process can be a long and drawn out process, requiring plenty of resources to find the right person. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that clinic owners or HR managers always have time for.

Recognizing when you need the assistance is important when taking that first step to finding a medical recruitment agency. Some telltale signs that you are in need of working with one include:
- You need multiple positions to be filled.
- You want to grow your list of candidates for an important job position.
- You are hiring for a highly specialized job and your hiring managers don’t have the experience of recruiting/interviewing such candidates.
- You simply do not have the time to work through the recruitment process yourself.
2. DON’T confuse recruitment agencies with employment agencies.

While they may sound alike, and even function in a similar way, employment agencies essentially serve the job seeker. On the other hand, recruitment agencies serve employers, providing them with quality candidates who match the requirements and criteria the employer has established beforehand.

3. DO know what kind of recruiter you need.

There are three main types of recruitment agencies which generally have different fees and warranty structures. You must contact the type of agency that fits your needs:
- Retained: These types of agencies usually have a field expertise and are able to find highly specialized candidates. Retained recruitment agencies normally will manage the whole process for you but can cost more than the other two.
- Contingency: These agencies do not get paid unless their candidate gets hired, with payment usually being a percentage of the hired candidate’s salary. Contingency recruitment agencies will do the homework, search out candidates, and set up interviews, but you still have to decide who you want to interview and hire.
- Temporary (or Temp. to Perm.): For temporary employees or employers interested in having a trial period before offering a permanent position.
4. DO ask questions.

As with any work relationship, communication is key to developing a positive experience. Asking the right questions can help you uncover if the agency will be able to meet your needs. Some questions to ask include:
- What experience do you have recruiting in my specific medical niche?
- How do you measure your client’s satisfaction score?
- What was your most recent satisfaction score?
- Are your rates or fees higher or lower compared to other agencies (and why)?
- What are your expectations of me?
5. DO have your hiring managers or HR personnel work with the agency.

Hiring a recruitment agency doesn’t mean that your managers should be kept in the dark. Your HR personnel will have valuable insight about your current team’s chemistry and this information is not always available to the recruitment agents.

Keeping your hiring managers involved in the process will help to ensure that the right candidate is chosen; personality, character, and the current work environment need to all be considered.

6. DON’T try to negotiate the recruiting fee too much.

The truth is that some recruiters will send their best talents to those clients who pay the highest recruiting fees. Trying to negotiate to lower fee can backfire on you and force you to lose out on quality candidates.

7. DON’T hire more than one agency.

Recruitment agencies tend to work fast, and hiring multiple ones can lead to an overwhelming amount of possible candidates (and even some duplicates). Also, having more than one agency can strain the communication between you, the agencies, and your managers – all which could slow the hiring process.

Are you in need of an experienced and quality nurse practitioner or physician assistant? NP PA Recruiters is the medical recruitment agency you need. We can help you to find the right candidate today!

Contact NP PA Recruiters today at 214-802-8240 or 214-351-3880 to start your search for a qualified medical professional who will provide the care your patients need and deserve.
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Nov
11
2018
How Hiring Managers Can Identify an Exceptional Candidate

At NP PA Recruiters, we know how challenging it can be to find the ideal candidate for a job. There are dozens of factors that come into play and understanding these different elements is essential to discovering the right person.

One of the most important factors is going to be the candidate’s resume. While you won’t be able to gauge every single aspect of the individual, a resume can provide you enough insight to help you make an informed decision about pushing them through the hiring process.

At NP PA Recruiters, our medical recruitment agents look for a number of key aspects on a resume in order to identify an exceptional candidate. These key items include:

1. Proof of Results

Resumes should highlight specific results and the way in which these outcomes benefited the previous company/medical clinic they worked for. But aside from just making a claim, candidates need to be able to provide proof. This can include documentation, portfolios, or data points of the actual projects they helped to handle.

Hiring managers should be looking for quantifiable success and not just a bunch of false accomplishments that have no real basis.

2. Clear & Concise Relevancy

This is common sense but should factor in nonetheless; a candidate needs to have clear and relevant work experience for the position they are applying for. This should include skills, education, and general abilities that fit the job description and preferred qualifications. A resume should clearly state these points in a concise manner.

3. Length of Employment

This number can vary depending on the circumstances but the length of employment at the previous job should be at least 2+ years. Of course, the longer the amount spent in a particular job, the better. This shows dedication and willingness to help the company grow.

4. Generic Resumes Are a No-Go

A candidate’s resume should not look like they’ve sent the same one out to a dozen clinics. It should highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the role and that also play into the requirements of the job post. A quality candidate will take the time to customize their resume; this shows attention to detail and an actual interest in the job.

5. References Matter

References play an important role in the recruitment and hiring process, so candidates need to include quality ones. This also means current references and not a collection of names from individuals who they worked with over a decade ago.

6. A Professional Touch

We live in the digital age of text lingo, and unfortunately, this doesn’t bode well for many candidates. Simple grammar and spelling mistakes can highlight a candidate’s inattention to detail and really damage their reputation with the hiring manager right off the back.

Formatting is also vital as important skills and accomplishments may be hidden in hard to find places. When you consider that a hiring manager could potentially be looking through hundreds of resumes, meaningful information needs to be front and center where it can be found exceptionally easy.

7. Evaluating for Growth

A resume should highlight a candidate’s growth in their current/most recent position. Did they move from a lower-rung position to becoming a supervisor or director of some sort? Information that shows growth can show that the candidate is willing and able to take on new challenges.

8. Find the Remarkable

Yes, experience, education, and skill are all vital points to include in a resume and can really showcase a candidate’s abilities. But a remarkable candidate will help paint a clearer picture of their abilities and personality. Did they include information about accomplishments that aren’t work-related but still shows their dedication to reaching their goals? An exceptional candidate may try to tie in general life accomplishments with their work – which isn’t always a bad thing.

Are you in need of the ideal nurse practitioner or physician assistant? NP PA Recruiters can help you to find the right candidate today!

Contact NP PA Recruiters at 956-772-1400 or 214-351-3880 to start your search for the medical professional that will provide exceptional care to your patients and help you to grow your clinic.
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Oct
23
2018
There’s No Time Like the Present (or the Future) For PAs

As in any career, striking out in search of a new position as a physician assistant (PA) can come with a bit of trepidation. There is a lot to consider such as location, salary, duties, and the reputation of the company/organization to name a few.

At NP PA Recruiters, we understand that the process of finding a new job can be exciting and defined by unique needs. We are the medical recruitment agency you need to help you make this transition as smooth as possible.

We’re also here to remind you (and those looking to break into the field) that now is a great time to be a PA.

The Stats and Facts Behind Your Bright PA Future

The best career choices are ones that are in high demand and that is the current state of affairs for qualified PAs. The demand is primarily caused by the shortage of primary care physicians across the country, as well as by healthcare facilities that have begun to heavily employ PAs to help bridge this gap in available care. The U.S. Bureau of Labor has predicted that there will be a 37% increase in PAs by 2026.

The National Commission of Certified Physician Assistants (NCCPA) recently reported that out of 5,347 recently certified PAs, a little over 77% with a position received two or more offers.

Not only were the job offers plentiful, but they also featured generous compensation. These positions boasted an average starting salary of $95,000.

Prospective PAs don’t have to worry about being limited in the areas they choose to work, either. Some of the top salaries and best opportunities come in diverse fields like psychiatry, emergency medicine, and gynecology, to name a few. As per the NCCPA, almost 53% of recently certified PAs accepted a position in a hospital setting, while 19% accepted a job in a surgical specialty and another 19% accepted a position in emergency medicine.

This diversity of work environments has made the field engaging and interesting to my top college graduates.

Certified PAs are now practicing in every state in the nation, including the District of Columbia.

The highest concentration of practicing PAs are in the states of New York, Texas, California, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Additional Topics of Interest Moving Forward

The increase in both the number of available jobs and the demand for qualified PAs also equates to an increase in the number of people seeking training for these positions. The NCCPA forecasts a growth of 24 percent in the number of accredited PA programs across the nation, bringing the projected total to just under 300 within the next three years.

Perhaps just as important as the rise in quality PA schools is the distribution of the PA workforce.

There is still a severe shortage of medical professionals in many rural and urban areas across the country. Some states, like Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana, have particularly low numbers of PAs working there.

Many times, PAs who have taken positions in these health professional shortage areas (HPSA) have done so because of incentives that come as a part of their job offer. One that is particularly popular is student loan forgiveness. These absolve practitioners of all acquired debt if they fulfill certain employment requirements, typically centered around serving a certain number of years in these HSPAs and/or making a certain number of required loan payments.

The success of this practice hints that it could continue to be effective in drawing PAs and other high-quality healthcare professionals to these areas in need.

Other incentives that PAs and other professionals enjoy in these HSPAs include reimbursement for maintaining certifications, signing and relocation bonuses, as well as aid for continuing their education.

Regardless of why you chose to become a PA, there are only positive outlooks for your future. Whether you choose a position in an HSPA or one of the states with a higher representation of your peers, only you can decide what suits your needs best.

Our physician assistant recruiters have the perfect job for you. If you’re ready to advance in the career you love, contact NP PA Recruiters today at (956) 772-1400 or (214) 351-3880.
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Oct
15
2018
Telemedicine Is Strengthening With the Help of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
It’s no secret that nurse practitioners and physician assistants are constantly learning new ways to treat the patients they serve. In some instances, it’s newer technology that improves on older methods of treatment.

Telemedicine is one such technology that is beginning to transform the lives of patients, with NPs and PAs some of the medical professionals who are able to take full advantage of this growing resource. NP PA Recruiters is dedicated to staying on the forefront of trends in the world of medicine so that the NPs and PAs we work with have the skills needed to advance in their careers.

Read on to learn more about how telemedicine is changing the face of the medical industry.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine provides healthcare professionals – like nurse practitioners or physician assistants – the ability to treat patients through the use of telecommunication technology such as the Internet and computers.

This is especially beneficial for individuals living in rural areas across the nation who may not have access to medical care.

What can telemedicine do for our patients?

Telemedicine meets both medical efficiency and convenience, helping nurse practitioners and physician assistants to deliver crucial treatment to patients that cannot easily make it to the clinic. Granted since this is a remote technology, there are a few things that telemedicine cannot execute— such as surgery — but where this method really shines is when it comes to:
- Follow-Up Visits – Telemedicine makes following up with patients easy, ensuring that the patient is being treated properly while in the comfort of their own home. This service alleviates missed appointments and improves the patient’s outcome.
- Post-Hospitalization Care – Telemedicine support can help patients recover after their hospital stay, drastically reducing the need for readmission.
- Chronic Disease Management – With telemedicine, support for patients that suffer from chronic diseases become far less expensive, empowering them to take back control of their lives.
- Preventative Care – Communication between practitioner and patient can be made more accessible through telemedicine, giving patients the tools necessary to practice preventative care like losing weight or quitting cigarettes for patients with heart disease.
- School-Based Medical Assistance – Innovative school districts that employ the use of telehealth services can connect with doctor’s offices to assess any urgencies, give instruction, or reassure worried parents and school staff.
- Assisted Living Center Support – There is no doubt that telemedicine can benefit those that live in an assisted living arrangement as well. Since most accidents happen during the night or on weekends, on-call PAs or NPs can remotely assess the situation to see if hospitalization is necessary.
What are the benefits?

Aside from the obvious, telemedicine offers a wide range of benefits for both patients and clinics including:

For Patients:
- Privacy
- No travel, travel expenses, or time spent traveling
- Less time away from their job
- Less interference with personal responsibilities
- Less exposure to highly contagious illnesses from other patients
For Your Clinic:
- Increased patient satisfaction
- Increased revenue streams
- Increased patient follow through
- Improved patient health outcomes
- Provides a solution to compete with retail health clinics or online-only providers
- Less missed appointments and cancellations
- Private payer reimbursement
In short, telemedicine provides just as much benefit to your patients as it does to your practice.

At NP PA Recruiters, our passion is to inform nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and the practices we partner with of the major breakthroughs in medicine that can help to advance their careers and improve their bottom line.

For more information on how NP PA Recruiters can help you, contact us today at (214) 351-3880.
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Sep
14
2018
The Importance of NPs and PAs in Urgent Care
In an effort to meet the growing need for quick and affordable health care in the United States, the establishment of urgent care clinics (UCCs) across the nation has begun to increase in recent years.

According to the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA) Benchmark Report of 2017, there are 8,154 UCCs in the U.S., and on average, each of handles three patients per hour, for a total of 50 visits per day. The report also highlighted the importance of PAs and NPs in successful staffing models.

Urgent care clinics have become essential providers of patient care in the healthcare industry. At NP PA Recruiters, as a medical recruitment agency, we seek to provide NPs, PAs, and healthcare industry employers with the information they need to make the right decisions.

Since UCCs are growing with the objective of meeting patient demand, we will be discussing the roles of PAs and NPs in reaching this goal.

NPs and PAs in the Urgent Clinic Setting

Industry organization Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) found that 78 percent of better performing medical practices not only employed PAs and NPs but also had higher revenue.

In an urgent care setting, NPs and PAs are able to enhance an urgent care clinic by:
- Providing general medical and primary care services. – UCCs strive to provide comprehensive medical care which can be administered directly by NPs and PAs, often without the oversight of a managing physician.
- Enhancing revenue. – While hiring and retaining NPs and PAs can mean a greater initial expense, the ability to provide better and faster care for patients can also result in an increase of clientele, thus increasing revenue streams.
- Reducing labor costs. – Hiring a physician assistant or nurse practitioner to provide primary care to your patients can be much more cost effective than hiring another physician. In many states, PAs and NPs are able to provide nearly an equal amount of medical care as a traditional physician, including providing prescriptions, at lower labor costs to your clinic.
- Improving the work environment – Hiring a PA or NP can improve workload distribution for all team members, helping to provide a better work-life balance. This will, in turn, generate a better work environment which will be reflected in the quality of service provided to patients.
Whether you are looking for the right candidate for your urgent care clinic, or are a nurse practitioner or physician assistant looking for a new opportunity for professional growth, contact us today at (214) 351-3880 to learn more of how we can serve your needs.
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Aug
22
2018
Don’t Wait to Get Your Acute Care Certification: Why Now Is The Perfect Time
Starting out ahead of the pack with continuing education courses is always a great decision for your career, but with so many medical fields to choose from, it can be overwhelming.

At NP PA Recruiters, we want to help nurse practitioners advance in their careers in a more streamlined fashion, and one of the ways they can do this is by getting their Acute Care Certification.

What is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

An ACNP is a registered nurse who specializes in treating extreme illness, or the injured, suffered by patients. You will see them mostly working in hospitals in urgent care.

Some responsibilities an ACNP should master include:
1. Order medications and treatments
2. Help patients recover from chronic conditions as well as sudden illness or injuries
3. Stabilizing patients in critical care
4. Performing certain procedures like:
  
  Suturing
  
  Lumbar puncture
  
  Intubation
  
  Chest tube insertion
  
  Incision and drainage
  
  Placing a splint
  
  Caring for open wounds
5. Monitoring patients and tracking their progress
6. Referring to specialists
7. Discharging patients
There are also many medical fields that ACNP’s can excel in such as:
- Emergency
- Intensive Care Units (ICU)
- Acute care facilities
- Surgery centers
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Urgent care
How Does an Acute Care Certificate Benefit an NP?

There’s no question that an NP Acute Care Certificate would improve the quality of your career.

However, many hospitals in the United States require an acute care certification for NP’s. State legislation is enforcing this rule throughout the country, meaning hospitals in many other states are expected to require an AC certification.

If the hospital you work at doesn’t require you to get an acute care certification, there are still a couple of big reasons why you should:
- More employment opportunities– As stated above, many states are requiring an AC certification for employment. If you change job locations and start a job in a hospital that does in fact require a certificate, you will undoubtedly be expected to enroll in school and acquire it. Getting your certification now can save you the time and money that you will spend later.
- An increase in income– Having an AC certificate can increase your chances of getting a higher annual income. Qualified NP’s could be offered $3,000 to $10,000 more than those candidates without it.
As an added benefit when applying for a new job, an AC certification may also give you a leg up over someone that doesn’t have their certification.

Where To Get Certified

Nurse practitioners interested in getting certified have a few methods they can use to gain their certification despite whatever schedule or financial situation they are in. You can enroll in a private university, local college, or complete an online course.
- Private University– This option can be quite beneficial, especially if this particular university has a highly respected program. This could look spectacular on your resume and get you noticed by some of the top teaching hospitals.
- Local College/Online Program– This option is something great for NPs that may have a tight schedule or finances.
You may want to look into the many available online programs across the country to decide which one best suits you. Keep in mind that choosing to complete your certification online would make it your responsibility to find a location to complete your clinicals, which can be difficult.

How long does the certification process take?

The amount of time it takes to receive an acute care certification depends on the school you choose to attend and their specific requirements. Programs may take anywhere from 20 to 45 credits and between 1 to 3 years to complete.

Once You Earn Your AC Certification, NP PA Recruiters Can Find You The Perfect Job to Start Your New Chapter

Our nurse practitioner recruiters are ready to help you get more information on how to get started on your acute care career.

If you’re ready to search for the perfect job to advance the career you love, contact NP PA Recruiters today at (956) 772-1400 or (214) 351-3880.
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Aug
06
2018
High Job Satisfaction & Salary Satisfaction Rates for Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants
Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) are both very promising careers with high satisfaction rates that also offer considerable salaries.

Your trusted team at NP PA Recruiters understand just how rewarding a career in the medical field can be and there are notable agencies and organizations who have released data that back this statement.

Statistics on Job Satisfaction and Salaries

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 166,280 Nurse Practitioners and 109,220 Physician Assistants in the United States in 2017. The average income for an NP in 2017 was $107,480 while the average income for a PA was $104,760.

The expected job growth for both these careers stands at approximately 37 percent for the years 2016 through 2026. Many jobs are available in these well-paying fields but do require highly qualified applicants.

In a recent survey done by PracticeMatch, 532 Nurse Practitioners and 558 Physician Assistants were surveyed on their job and salary satisfaction for the year of 2017:
- About one-fourth of all respondents said they were “extremely satisfied” with their career.
- Nearly 38 percent of NPs and 44 percent of PAs said they were “very satisfied” with their choice of career.
- Another third in each group said they were “satisfied”
- Out of the entire study, only 6 percent reported being unsatisfied with their career.
In terms of salary trends, approximately half of all respondents reported a salary increase from 2015 to 2016. As for salary satisfaction:
- 44 percent of those surveyed reported that they were “satisfied” with their income.
- 25 percent were “very satisfied” with their pay rate.
- 15 percent of NPs and PAs reported being extremely satisfied.
Even more interesting for new NPs and PAs, as well as those moving to a new job, signing bonuses have gained a certain level of popularity. It was reported that 11% of NPs and PAs received a signing bonus when they transitioned into their current position. NPs saw an average $11,000 bonus while PAs received an average $8,000 bonus.

Careers for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants are very promising fields that will continue to see growth for the foreseeable future.

NP PA Recruiters is passionate about finding permanent placement for the most qualified and trustworthy health care providers in the industry.

Our company’s reputation was built on providing qualified and caring individuals such as yourself with careers in the medical field. If you are a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant seeking a new career opportunity, contact NP PA Recruiters today at 214-351-3880 or email us at info@npparecruiters.com for guidance and more information.
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