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Featured Practice Question

What is the best way to re-enter the nurse practitioner profession after a multiyear experience gap due to family priorities? Are there preferred review courses? Are there internships available? Is it beneficial to first work as an RN?

There is no standard re-entry process to follow. It may be a good idea to meet with the NP program faculty at the nearest school and discuss your preparation and readiness for practice. The faculty may have recommendations on skills and knowledge refresh. If you haven’t worked as an RN, you may have difficulty finding a job unless you are able to get into a residency program. Finally, it is very important that you maintain current knowledge in your area of expertise, so belonging to the state NP associations and attending educational conferences is important. Good luck!

Featured Legal Question

I recently began employment with an urgent care facility. They classified me as an exempt employee. I work 10-hour shifts and less than 40 hours a week. From my understanding after reading over what classifications fall under except employee status, it doesn't appear that NPs fall into the professional exemption since we practice nursing not medicine. My questions are: 1) Am I classified correctly as exempt vs. non-exempt status? 2) Do I get overtime pay since I work over 8 hours in a day?

Nurse practitioners are considered exempt employees in California per state law. Some Federal law differs, but California rarely follows Federal law. RNs are not considered exempt, but nurse practitioners are considered professionals. You are not qualified for overtime pay. RNs working 10 or 12 hour shifts don’t get paid overtime if they do not work over 40 hours a week.

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