[emtneel]

Okay, seriously it was all i could do to not laugh. This job (see ad below) I had a phone interview back in FEb. but got cancelled because the doc had just hired a new grad and couldn't take another new grad at that time.
So I kept seeing the ad decided to call back and see if he would reconsider. Got a call this morning. I wasn't expecting the phone call so didn't have any questions prepared so only asked a few things. Orientation, he said I could work a week with him 9-5, before being on my own. (think i would have to negotiate that to at least 2 weeks)
Schedule seems nice, seems like you do 4 days one week, 3 the next, every other weekend (11-9pm) weekdays 9-9p.
So he only asked me a few things, then asked if i wanted to interview. I wasn't sure if this was just a "conversation" or an interview so I asked if he meant a phone or personal interview. He asked if I wanted to come, and I would. So he said he would tell the HR lady, then said, "Well, do you just want to take the position over the phone? I think I have enough info and you sound like you can handle the job"
I was like, (most polite tone) "Well, I think I really need to see the clinic first before I make that decision"

Have you ever heard of such?? All I can say is DESPERATION!! So since he needs someone sooo badly i don't think i will have a hard time negotiating at all!

Now even though I have been trying to get a job for awhile I am not desperate. There are several things I do like about this clinic, that I would get to see a lot of acute care patients like an urgent care, it sounds like I would have a lot of independence (which is nice but scary for a new grad) I like the schedule, and i like that much vaca!

now it does make me a little leary that he offered the job over the phone. Does this mean its an absolute no-go? There is another new grad NP who started in Jan/Feb so I would definitly want to talk to her and ask how she likes the place. I don't plan on staying in Texas the rest of my life so on the one hand i feel like you can make it work anywhere for a year or so (less if need be) but also dont' want to feel like I'm struggling.
I also forgot to ask him about patient load, really important! (i had just woken up when he called)

Anything else I should REALLY ask about?
Also can you say something like I accept but will need a week to look over the contract and possibly have a lawyer look it over? I really could care less about the compete clause as i do not plan on staying in texas for long term.
Also does a contract state that you have to work somewhere for a certain period of time? Or just what your obligations are while you are working there?

Reason I ask is I have a loan repayment through the government and have a contract with them and am not allowed to sign any other contract.



N. Texas Family Practice/Urgent Care
We are seeking a Family Nurse Practitioner for a Family Practice/Urgent Care clinic in North Texas. Will consider an Experienced Provider or a VERY STRONG new graduate. One other (physician) provider on site. Clinic is open 7 days/wk. Schedule will be 11a - 9p, 3-4 days/wk and every other weekend. Some schedule flexibility. Moderate volume. Compensation will be $80-95k plus a comprehensive benefit package including 6 wks vacation and 1 wk paid CME plus malpractice and health insurance. Relocation assistance and separate sign-on bonus. This part of North Texas is known for it diverse outdoor countryside. Hills, trees, lakes. Many recreational opportunities. Developing surroundings. Big city 45 minutes away. Good schools, affordable housing (lots of choices), all amenities within easy reach.

[DaisyRN, ACNP]

Heya,
Would you mind PM'ing me the location of the job? I'm in NE Texas and seems like I have seen that ad recently. I might have more insight and know some "insider" info about the area, group. AND... just so you know, Texas is NOT a bad place to be. You might find that you love it! "It's like a whole other country... *lol*"

[traumaRUs]

Physicians are not trained to do interviews and/or be HR reps. It always amazes me how socially inept some of the smartest docs are! I work with 15 MDs ranging from extremely experienced to the new doctors (out of fellowship 1-2 years). Socially, they run the gamut too. It is so funny what some of the younger docs say to the pts (non-medical, chit chat stuff). It just shows that they have focused on themselves so much, they have forgotten about others.

[emtneel]

So now instead of flying me down his HR person called and said he wants to interview someone locally next Friday, before they put up the expense of flying me out.

I guess that's the name of the game i guess.

[globalRN]

i think if this clinic is serious about getting the best candidate...they should interview all good candidates.......I mean really ..how much is it to fly u out?!!

If they are so cheap or short-sighted...may be a indicator of how they run things there(not good)

[emtneel]

i think they are just trying to get a warm body, anybody, and obviously at the cheapest cost...
This has been my experience so far... a few others said they were really interested and wanted me to come for an interview, but weren't willing to pay for the ticket.

[Valerie Salva]

Not too long ago, I applied for a position in a certain unit of a hospital, interviewed, but did not get it (a nurse with more experience got it). The mgr of another dept called me and offered me a job on her unit- Not only had I not interviewed for the position on her unit, I had not even applied.

It was a big red flag, but I took the job as I wanted to get into the facility.

Big mistake.

Your situation, however, sounds totally different.

[emtneel]

I have had a couple of similar situations over the past couple months. I applied for a certain job at Dallas Childrens and they past my resume to another unit. That job actually sounds really nice, they are willing to work with new grad (i think b/c the can't find anyone) the only reason i didn't want the job is b/c it was VERY speciality orientated, it would probably be a really good job though.

Another situation i had, i had applied to a certain community clinic which is part of a larger organization, then another clinic got my resume from them. They contacted me, had an interview with the CEO then the medical director, they KNEW i was a new grad from the get go, and i knew i wasnt going to get the job when i couldn't effectively answer the Medical director's question as to how i would handle working in the only clinic in a rural area (although only 40min from Dallas) I told her i felt my school had prepared me well. I was a little irritated that THEy contacted me, and did interviews, with my time etc..but REALLY they wanted someone with experience...


I dunno i think anyone who offers a job without having met you, and you not having seen your work environment... Not any job I am going to take.

[traumaRUs]

You are so right emtneel. Like many things, you get what you pay for. Works for job interviews too.

[santhony44]

When I was a new grad I was living in GA. I sent out resumes and got a call from a hospital in Orange, TX. A doctor there wanted the hospital to bring me out to interview. The HR lady said he wanted me to come out and back all in one day. Well, OK with me. So, I was on the first plane out that AM. Flew to Atlanta, changed planes. Flew to Dallas, changed planes. Flew to Beaumont/Orange. HR lady met me at the airport, drove me to the hospital, had lunch, met some admin folks. She took me to the doctor's office. We walked in, shook hands, I looked him in the eye, and knew that second he wasn't going to hire me.

We went through the interview, she showed me around, drove me back to the airport. I flew from Beaumont/Orange to Dallas, changed planes, flew to Atlanta, changed planes, got off the last plane in to my home airport.

It didn't cost me a dime but I wouldn't do it again on a bet. Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if the poor HR lady had a nervous breakdown before she found someone the doctor actually liked.

I ended up on the opposite side of Texas.

Don't interview at your own expense. If they're not interested enough to pay your expenses, you don't want it. If they're too tightfisted to pay your expenses, you don't want it.

Trust your gut. I don't care how wonderful everything sounds, if your gut says no, turn it down. I once drove home about four hours from an interview with nothing to pin a "no" on but a bellyache. I called back when I got home and told them some song and dance about why I was saying no, but I said it.

Don't expect to hear something from every interview. It's actually not that common to get an answer, even a no, even if you do everything you're supposed do.

If you have to start rationalizing a job to yourself, you probably shouldn't take it. If you have to tell yourself "I can do anything for x amount of time" or "for x amount of money" then run.