Extension Bonus

While working in Bradenton, Florida, I had 5 other markets from the same company ask me to come help them. It was of course the clinics from Virginia and Ohio asking me to come back. And several new clinics from Tennessee, New Orleans, and Jacksonville, FL. I told them I wasn’t available until the fall. 

Meanwhile, my current job was begging me to stay. I know I say that all of the time, but they literally went hard. On my first day my boss already asked me what they could do to keep me permanently. Then on my second day, everyone from leadership came to meet with me individually to see what they could do to keep me permanently or even for an extra 3 months.

Even the CEO told them good luck since I never want to stay anywhere. I told everyone to relax since I usually decide last minute depending on how things go here. I also told them I had planned on going to Spain after this assignment, so I was flexible. 

They hired a permanent nurse practitioner that is supposed to finish her orientation by my last day. So, they really wanted me to stay longer to help train her, to make sure she is successful and stays long term. This would also be beneficial because I would take care of my patient panel while the new nurse practitioner and a new physician slowly acquire the patients. 

When I felt confident that I would be comfortable extending, I emailed my agency telling them that I was requested to extend my time, and I would for an extension bonus. In the past, I have been given a $5k extension bonus for 3 months. This time I wanted to ask for more for multiple reasons. 

1.       I was postponing my 3 month break to Spain, so literally had nothing to lose

2.       Not to brag but I am a high commodity, multiple other clinics were requesting my help

3.       Not only would I be extending for 3 months, but I was also going to be training the new nurse practitioner

At first, I was going to ask for $10k because I heard that they had offered physicians from the other clinics to come help us for that amount but they all said no. But then I thought about how I would be training the new NP and would need something on top of that. 

I decided to request a $15k extension bonus to extend for 3 months. I thought it was a lot to ask for but I really had nothing to lose since I wanted to go to Europe anyway. I had stumbled upon my boss one day, and he asked me if I was open to staying. I told him it depends on the offer and he asked what amount I was looking for. I told him $10k for the extension – he didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. And then I said but I would need something on top of that for the training. He told me that’s fine, ask for whatever I want because they appreciate me so much and would keep me as long as I wanted to be here.

So guess what?! They said yes to the $15k. I am glad I literally had nothing to lose since I really just wanted to go to Spain. It allowed me to ask for something that seemed outrageous. I had even asked some physicians that had helped for 3 months at other clinics what kind of bonus they were given in the past, and they told me just $5k. I am glad I was able to negotiate my worth. That’s the power of not NEEDING to work.