Starting your nurse practitioner career can be a daunting task. First, there’s finding a job that will actually look at new grad applicants. Then, once you start working, there’s the question of getting by day-to-day. While your clinicals prepared you for your career, you probably still have a number of questions about patient care. Patients are often complex and don’t present quite like they do in a textbook. How will you get your questions answered and find the support you need, not to mention land your first nurse practitioner job?
In my own career as a nurse practitioner I struggled through each of these steps the painful way. I got by day-to-day with a lot of begging colleagues to help and self-education. I learned the hard way. These experiences are the basis of the programs we’ve created to help new graduates, ThriveAP and ThriveAP+. You can think of ThriveAP+ as somewhat like a nurse practitioner residency – here’s how:
- You match with a primary care clinic that’s supportive of new graduates and provides mentorship from more experienced providers
- You also participate in a year-long curriculum program to boost your sills and knowledge
- This education piece coincides with employment so it fits into your regularly scheduled workday
Today, we’re featuring one of our ThriveAP+ clinics in Rainier, Oregon that’s looking to match with a motivated new graduate enthusiastic to get their career off to a solid start. Could this ThriveAP+ residency opportunity be for you?
Here’s a bit more F.A.Q,. about the practice:
Tell me more about the residency clinic site
The facility offering this opportunity to new nurse practitioner graduates is a 5-clinic system in Rainier, OR. Funded by grants, state and federal dollars, these clinics serve residents of Columbia County, OR and focus primarily on underserved patient populations. The nurse practitioner matched with these clinics will work in a primary care capacity.
These clinics in Columbia Valley are a fantastic way to develop your patient care foundation. A broad, rich primary care experience will prepare you for whatever’s next in your NP career. The NP will treat patients of all ages and will work alongside experienced providers able to provide support and answer questions throughout the workday. On some days, the NP will rotate to a clinic as the sole provider, but will have backup by phone from colleagues at these sites.
What will my day-to-day look like?
The nurse practitioner matching with this West Coast residency opportunity will work in a traditional primary care capacity treating patients of all ages. Given the clinics’ affiliation with local schools, there will be plenty of pediatric patients sprinkled into this mix. Ultimately, the NP will work up to seeing 12-14 patients per day. Working hours are Monday to Thursday, 8am to 5pm.
Where is Rainier, OR, anyway?
Rainier, OR is located in a quiet, serene setting complete with green, rolling hills. While a small town itself, Rainier is located just 50 minutes from bustling Portland. If heading to the city on the weekend isn’t your thing, take advantage of the outdoors from beach access to the Columbia River just minutes away to ocean beaches within 50 miles. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of options from local hiking trails to proximity to Mount Rainier and an impressive view of volcano Mt. St Helens. Fishing, camping and more are available year-round.
Sounds like a great opportunity! How do I apply?
This opportunity is open to Family Nurse Practitioners looking to start their careers in a traditional primary care setting. Passion for working with underserved patient populations is a must. The NP should desire to partner with other clinic team members, participate in quality improvement projects, engage with families of adolescent patients, and have a strong motivation for care coordination.
Apply for ThriveAP+ here and indicate in your application that you’re interested in the opportunity to be matched with Rainier, OR. You may also email our program coordinator, Abigail, at thriveap@thriveap.com.
