Interview at Fertility Clinic

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Specializes in LTC.

I have an interview on Monday at a well known Infertility Clinic, as a new grad this could be my dream job. Does anyone have any pointers on how to prep for the interview or things I should read up on to be prepared for questions?

I'm very excited about this and want to go in and wow them!

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I'm not a nurse, but as a fertility patient myself (as well as working in the childbirth area for 12 years), it's best to refer to the place you are interviewing as a "fertility" clinic rather than focusing on the negative, loaded association of the word "infertility." When people are calling your future place of employment, they are looking for anything positive. Focusing on the word "fertility" offers a psychological boost, a beacon of hope for those who have been searching for their dream of a live "take home" baby after what is usually many years of trying with nothing.

Think of it this way: infertility is a diagnosis, and a woman doesn't want to be diagnosed before she enters the building. You are wanting to help them with their fertility, and sometimes a woman really isn't infertile, but subfertile, or doesn't know when to time intercourse properly because her cycle isn't the textbook 28 days that most OB/GYNs are taught (for more information, read Toni Weschler's "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", the best book written on the subject. A woman doesn't need to have her perceived shortcomings emphasized when she turns for help, but if you accentuate "fertility", that goes a long way psychologically when she comes for help.

I've been in treatment for "secondary infertility" (infertility resulting after a first birth in which no assistance in becoming pregnant is needed) for 2 years now. Close friends know that I've sought out treatment from a fertility clinic. Whenever someone refers to my place for treatment as an "infertility clinic", I just cringe... the term "fertility clinic" has more positive associations, that someone can possibly help me and I'm not labeled before I come in for help.

I'm not trying to be negative toward you and I really commend you in your preferred choice of specialty. If you want a light (and fast) read to give you an idea of what the patient experiences and feels on their fertility journey, I HIGHLY recommend "The Conception Chronicles." (don't have the authors' names, but you can find it under that title). It also describes various treatments along the way. It's not technical, but if you want to get into your patients heads in what they feel, think, and what lays ahead of them, I can't recommend it highly enough.

I wish you the very best of luck in persuing your dream job. If you do have any questions about this particular field, please feel free to PM me. :balloons:

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you for your tips, I did not realize how negative infertility sounds until you pointed it out. I will be cautious with the word choice. I am going to pick up the book and read it before my interview.

I tried to edit my original post and title but can't, can someone help me? I want to change it to "fertility center"

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Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

When not at the hospital, I practice Maya Abdominal Massage (a method of visceral manipulation of the uterus done through the abdomen, used to ensure best positioning for ease of menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth). We always use the term fertility challenges. Women appreciate us acknowledging that they are having a challenge to their fertility without labelling them infertile.

You might search some of the CE sites for reproductive nursing continuing education to increase your knowledge of pharmacotherpy for fertility enhancement. I would at least read up on using letrozole, hcg, and clomid.

I'd also check out the american society for reproductive medicine.

Links below.

Good luck!

Seth

http://www.asrm.org/Professionals/Membership/licensure_certification_policy.html

http://ce.nurse.com/CE212-60/The-Challenges-of-Infertility/

http://cme.medscape.com/viewprogram/4914

http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1464727992000198231?cookieSet=1&journalCode=huf

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Seth, excellent suggestions. I forgot to mention ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) as a source.

You also may want to read up on the following, at least know what it's basically about:

IUI - Intrauterine insemination. Used to be called AI or artificial insemination.

IVF - In vitro fertilization. IVF protocol.

DPO - Days passed ovulation

dpt - days passed transfer. Used with a number of 3 or 5 referring to the cell division state at transfer.

(I know I'm not explaining this one very well)

ER - Egg retrieval. Done under local, general or conscious sedation, mature eggs are taken from mom in preparation

for the actual IVF procedure

ET - Embryo transfer. The part of the IVF procedure in which fertilized eggs are placed back into mom-to-be.

hCG levels - These are done as part of the IVF/IUI procedure. Most places would like to see hCG double every 72

hours.

Medications ns such as:

Clomid (goes along with Clomid Challenge test as well as labs done at 3 and 10 days of a woman's cycle.

Follistim

hCG trigger shot (can't remember brand name at the moment)

Progesterone

There are so many, but just wanted to give you the biggies as far as the acronyms used in fertility clinics. This is just go get you started. Again, I wish you the very best of luck, and btw, I don't think you need to change the title of your original post, I just wanted you to be aware of the use of the word "fertility" vs. "infertility"

Let us know how the interview went! :up:

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Title of thread changed :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you for all the resources.

I missed my interview today due to car trouble. I was able to call ahead of time and reschedule, but I have been crying off an on all day about it.

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.
Thank you for all the resources.

I missed my interview today due to car trouble. I was able to call ahead of time and reschedule, but I have been crying off an on all day about it.

If you were able to get it re-scheduled, then don't cry about it. The stress will only make you anxious. Stuff happens. You called ahead and you are fine.

Now, just take deep breaths and concentrate on giving the best interview of your life. :nurse:

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I know this post was from a little more than a month ago, but I've been thinking about you and I wondered how your interview went. Any word? I've been sending a lot of positive vibes out and hope you did "wow" them. If you get the chance, tell us how the interview went. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Hi BabyRN2be- I did not get the job, must not have wowed them. I was so nervous I think I totally choked. It took them a month to email me to tell me that I should "reapply" once I have more experience. I just wish places would put that they want exp. in thier postings. So I still don't have a job, 4 months after graduation! My classmates are just starting to get jobs now, so maybe things are looking up.

*The worst part is my little sister just got a job there as a U/S tech aide, had her first day last week and called to tell me about it. She was amazed to see how much goes into it. Then she said that the MA was calling patients about med changes, I was pretty much horrified that an MA can call to do that. What if the patient had questions? Can the MA educate about meds????

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Oh, I'm really sorry as I was really hoping that you'd get the job! And it is a shame that they didn't say that they wanted a certain number of years of experience. But hey, it sounds like they at least liked you as they said they wanted you to reapply. I would do all the reading you can do on the subject, as another poster said, get some resources from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, study any nursing-related book on reproductive medicine, maybe even study up on OB/GYN stuff.

I know that you are out of work, and that situation stinks, but think of it this way: you are in a situation in which you have a lot of time to prepare and study to get that dream job that you eventually want (when you aren't job hunting, of course). Even if you do not get your "dream job" the first time out, combined with the experience of extra study time that you can devote right now, with the "real work" experience, you will be able to get that dream job sooner than the next person.

I really, really hope that you can get that job you want!

PS - a website/message board that can help you get your feet wet concerning fertility treatments is http://www.tcoyf.com. Go to forums and read the ones that are devoted to fertility - male and female.

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sry to hear that you didn't get the job :rolleyes: what kind of questions did they ask you at the interview? if you don't mind me asking

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