Advice for Interview on Thursday

[lsutigerrn]

I have an interview on Thursday for a NP position in a local ER. I graduated back in May of 2008 and I have no NP experience. Many of you are probably wondering why not. I'll tell you why. I have a great job as a RN working as a Community Health Nurse with the military. I work independently, great hours, great benefits...I have a young family, and it was great for my family at the time with my husband being active duty Army. In addition, I had a baby 6 months ago, and at the time, it was great for me, because I was able to stay and was paid full maternity leave for 12 weeks after giving birth. Throughout that time I was told that a NP position would be offered to me at the facility I am employed at. I have been here over three years.

Circumstances have made me realize that it is time to move on. I won't go any further.

I applied for a NP position at a local ER about 1 1/2 months ago. Well, I received a phone call tonight from the medical director that he wants to meet with me. His last comment to me on the phone was, "Your only detriment is that you have zero experience. However, I would still like to meet with you this Thursday."

How do I overcome this in our meeting on Thursday?

I have STRONG clinical skills. In fact, more than 1/2 of my clinical rotations took place in an urgent care clinic in a rival emergency room about 30 minutes away. Do I mention that to him? I know I have been working in an office type setting for the past 7 years, but I have over 10 years of emergency room experience. Doesn't that count for something? I'm not real strong on selling myself to others. I'm one of those shy, low self-esteem types that seems to back off when cornered. If he were to ask any of the command staff at my current facility about me, I would get raving reviews, but I don't know how to praise myself for me.

Any advice?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Emphasize your ER experience.

Have you kept up with continuing ed hours? If yes, mention that. Hopefully, you have all the requisite certifications and they are up to date.

When I interview - I try to do my homework: What is their model of care? By that, I mean, does the hospital credential you to see pts independently? Do you get to bill directly or are you billing under the physician?

Will you be employed by the physician staffing company or by the hospital? If the physician staffing company, be aware there will be quotas of billable hours and that usually in this case, the mid-levels are in place to keep the pace going and make it easier on the docs to be more productive. After all, the physician staffing company gets their profits from seeng a lot of patients.

If you are employed by the hospital, the medical staff of the hospital is who credentials you and decides what you can and can't do.

Good luck at the interview.

[Dixiecup]

when all else fails, beg. In a polite sort of way.