Asked to interview for a job I'm NOT qualified for?

[adpiRN]

I have 2 years of L&D experience and expressed interest in a job opening at my hospital for pediatric float position.

After seeing my resume the hiring manager in the Peds dept said she'd actually like to discuss another open position with me - PICC nurse for children under 2. How am I qualified for that?! I guess she saw on my resume that I'm "IV certified", but that was a little 1 day course I took in nursing school. It was all about PIVs, nothing about PICC lines. True, I insert IVs in L&D in adult women. But totally different than PICC lines in children! I've never even had a pt with a PICC line! Or done an IV in a child. She said they'd be willing to train someone with vascular access experience, but isn't inserting a PICC line, especially on a child, a very complicated procedure that takes a lot of practice to get comfortable with? I think it's obvious I'm not qualified, and find it a little strange that they'd even consider hiring me for it. What should I tell them?

[AlisRN]

If it's not something you wish to pursue, and it sounds like you're not confident in your abilities to do the job - then you should tell them that's not the line of work you had hoped in which to specialize.

But, the more specialized training you get, makes you more marketable in the long run, you know? IV access is IV access - and PICC lines are really not all that complicated. It's a skill - if you're good at IV's, you'll probably be good at inserting PICC's. Be confident that you can learn the skill - nurses in my facility insert PICC's all the time :) Or politely turn down the job, it's entirely up to you.

Alissa, RN in MA

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

THey are going to train you right? THis is something you should JUMP on...it will open a lot of doors for you. THe training is pretty intense, it's not just like learning to start an IV, at least in my facility, it was a weekend course, then you had to do so many of them while being pecepted before you could be certified.

This is really great that they have asked to you train for this...you aren't qualified now, but you will be after the training...go for it...it's invaluable.

[obenfermera1]

Here's another angle to consider: Is this an actual position that you would work fulltime or is it one of those sneaky "resource" positions? Meaning, if you get trained/certified, will you do the PICC placements/maintenance for your entire shift? Or will you be working your current position and be called away to "help" with PICCs when you're already on shift?

I'm not phrasing this well, but I'm sure someone out there gets where I'm going with this....a little help? There was a thread yesterday about someone that had received training previously and is now receiving calls requesting her help them on her off days....this could turn out to be the same sort of situation possibly. Or maybe I'm just thinking with the cynical, jaded, burnt out, paranoid part of my nursey brain, Lol!

[BeautifulDoeLVN]

I have to agree with Obenfermeral you'd better get that clarified if you get trained/certified, will you do the PICC placements/maintenance for your entire shift? Or will you be working your current position and be called away to "help" with PICCs when you're already on shift? it is invaluable skills.

My IV cert instructor told me that on the East coast their are a team of nurses that travel to small urban hospitals and all they do is insert PICC's and make $5000 a day.

Just don't want you to end up like the weekend wound care that posted the thread "they won't stop calling."

[adpiRN]

The job is advertised as full-time, with flexible hours, placing PICC lines on children under 2. But how many PICC lines can they be placing on children under 2 to make that a full-time job?! Does "flexible hours" mean I'd be on call 24 hours a day? Because I DON'T want that. I told her I'd come talk to her about, because I am curious and every interview is learning experience.

But honestly, once they find out what my real IV experience is with children and PICC lines (ZERO) I doubt they'll hire me. And I doubt it's a job I want. I'm not even the type of person who loves placing IVs. Half the time I miss on the first stick or have to get another nurse or anesthesia to do it for me!

There's also another job I have my eye one. A pediatrician's office that will be hiring in the fall and they want to meet me then. It's probably more in line with my interests and long term goals.

But can't hurt to keep doors open and interview with someone if they're willing to meet with me, right?

[Crux1024]

Id encourage you to go to the interview, be honest about yourself and emphasize your willinginess to learn and way you can quickly pick up tasks (if true of course, ). Ask pointed questions about the training: How long is it? What happens if you need more time? Are staff willing and able to precept? things like that. Ultimately its your decision, you may be pleasantly surprised by what the interviewer has to say. Its never hurts to pick up a new contact. Good luck.