Any NPs that still work as RN?

Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN · Dec 12, 2013

I'm currently in my ACNP program. Sometimes, if I think this poses a problem I will omit my Master's program from my resume. The only time I put in that I am furthering my education is when applying to large academic medical centers - they tend to be more accepting from what my experience thus far. I've been an RN for roughly two years now, so that's just my input. If I were you, since you've been experiencing this problem, I would omit my NP education from your resume if I were you and simply make no mention of it. That way no hiring manager feels threatened by a possible impending departure. It is something to consider. I was nurse manager of my unit (before I decided I didn't like management) and once I did choose another nurse over another one because I saw she was due to graduate from NP school the next month and I desperately needed someone to fill the position and felt that it wouldn't be conducive to my staffing situation to hire someone who would only leave a short while later. I felt a little guilty because the NP-to-be was very highly qualified, but I had to do what I felt best for the unit and its dire staffing needs.

All that said, I do hope you find something. Best wishes to you!!!

elkpark · Dec 12, 2013

I'm currently in my ACNP program. Sometimes, if I think this poses a problem I will omit my Master's program from my resume. The only time I put in that I am furthering my education is when applying to large academic medical centers - they tend to be more accepting from what my experience thus far. I've been an RN for roughly two years now, so that's just my input. If I were you, since you've been experiencing this problem, I would omit my NP education from your resume if I were you and simply make no mention of it. That way no hiring manager feels threatened by a possible impending departure. It is something to consider.

You're certainly free to put (or omit) whatever you like on your resume', but be aware that, if a work application asks you to list all education/degrees you've completed, you omit something, and the employer later finds out about that, some (many?) employers consider that dishonesty sufficient to drop you from consideration or fire you if you've already been hired.

I've been in a similar situation in the past, interviewing for staff nurse positions as an experienced (psych) CNS. The way I dealt with the issue was to only apply for prn/per diem positions, and make clear in the interview that I was happy to work as much as they could use me, up to full-time, but, because this was a temporary situation for me while I was looking for a permanent CNS position, I only wanted prn employment in order to be fair to them as well as myself. I found people were v. responsive to that approach (and appreciated my being honest with them), and eager to hire me.

Best wishes!

delilahgirl · Dec 13, 2013

Thanks for the responses. I do not feel comfortable omitting any info on my application as that can be viewed as fraudulent information and grounds for dismissal. I also can't afford to take only per diem/PRN positions because my husband's job doesn't offer benefits (he is a personal contractor). So...any other thoughts?

delilahgirl · Dec 13, 2013

Hi everyone. I originally posted this question under the Nurse Practitioner board but thought it might be helpful to post under the Nursing Management board, as well in the hopes that maybe some managers may be able to provide some advice. I graduated a year ago from an FNP program but due to personal and monetary issues, I haven't taken my boards as of yet, but am now at the place where I will probably be taking them soon. Anyway, since graduating from my NP program I moved and started a new job due to my husband being transferred for work. I interviewed for 2 jobs in the specialty I've been working in for most of my nursing career and was turned down by 1 and offered the other. I am pretty sure I was turned down for the 1 job because I had my master's and they thought I would eventually leave after taking my boards (they had a lot of nurses currently in school for their NP or nurses that had recently left because they became NPs). In the other interview, the question never even came up about my master's degree and I was actually offered the job on the spot. So I took the job but have been looking for other jobs due to a reason I would rather not discuss. I have 2 interviews next week for other RN positions and even though I plan on taking my boards in the near future, I still need a job in the meantime because 1. I don't know if I will pass my boards, 2. even if I pass my boards, I know it can take some time to get credentialed and then even find a job. and 3. I'm not even sure what I want to do with my degree and am not ready just to accept any NP position for the sake of working as an NP. So here is my real question...if asked in the interview if I plan on leaving any time soon or what I plan on doing with my NP, what can I say to assure them I am not planning on leaving any time soon? I really, really need a job and am scared to death I won't be hired because they think I will leave really quickly after starting. Any thoughts?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 13, 2013

I think you should honor the commitment you made by accepting the first job. Any reasonable manager who would interview you now would note a pattern, and I feel be hesitant to hire you. I know I would be.

delilahgirl · Dec 13, 2013

While I appreciate your response, I don't appreciate you being judgmental. You don't know my situation and why I want to leave the job. It's not because I don't enjoy the job. I actually like it very much and like the people. I am not mentioning the reason here for anonymity. Please try to respect that. I would appreciate any comments or advice anyone else can offer.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 13, 2013

You asked for thoughts/ comments. I offered mine.

Retired APRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 13, 2013

You may not like my opinion, either, but I offer it for what it's worth.

It is impolite and graceless to keep interviewing for jobs after you've accepted one. The better choice when offered the job on the spot (which would have made me think twice about the employer) would have been to tell them you'd like a week or two to consider their offer. Then you could have gone to your other interviews and chosen your favorite offer.

Since that is not what you did, I don't really know what to say about that.

Reading your post in its entirety, I get a whiff of a problem with committing to a job. You finished NP training, but haven't yet taken boards for personal reasons, will "probably" take them soon, but not really sure about finding a job or accepting it once you find one. This sounds harsh, I know, but I am reading it not only as a retired NP, but also as a former nurse manager of a large unit.

Pretty much any place that hires someone expects them to stay for a while. How else can they justify the expenses of hiring, training, orienting, etc.?

I am sorry that you are having personal issues that are interfering with your professional plans. That's very hard to bear. Maybe you ought to consider doing PRN or registry work for the time being.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2013

The only way my team would hire you, knowing about your pattern of indecisiveness and obvious issues with commitment, is with a strongly written contract of some kind. And if you got snippy and called us "judgmental" for offering an informed opinion about your situation that YOU asked for, well, we wouldn't hire you at all. Just food for thought!

Psychcns · Dec 13, 2013

What is a reasonable commitment to give them. One year. Two years.

You could say you completed your NP, you plan to take the boards because you completed the program but you are not sure at all if you want to work in that role.

And talk about how much the job at the hospital where you are applying is what you are looking for?

Would prn until you are established as an NP be terrible. Minimal health insurance. As a contractor your husband may be eligible for a group plan.

Or stay where you are till you take your np boards and find NP job...

Best wishes.

zahryia, LPN · Dec 14, 2013

Thanks for the responses. I do not feel comfortable omitting any info on my application as that can be viewed as fraudulent information and grounds for dismissal. I also can't afford to take only per diem/PRN positions because my husband's job doesn't offer benefits (he is a personal contractor). So...any other thoughts?

Would you and your husband be eligible for a health plan through a health care exchange?