New job prospect during school~opinions needed

Nursing Students NP Students

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, cardiac, trauma.

Hi there,

I'm currently beginning my second semester of grad school (Family Community Nurse Practitioner) and will be interviewing Wednesday for a position in a family community clinic (how perfect is that?) My question is this: the hours for the job are M-F 0730 to 1630, I have synchronous classes one day per month, and will be going to the state house for one day for a legislative session. I also have "intensives" on campus in May, for one week. Should I be totally up front about this in my interview? The job has been posted for months, there are no other applicants, and I want to be honest from the get-go. However, I also really want this position; it would get me off night shifts (which are KILLING ME) and would get me great experience in the very clinic where I hope to practice after graduation. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Wow you are working full time and going to school full time? Only you can ultimately decide. I have not heard of a Family Community Nurse Practitioner before as a specialty, can you explain if this is as a Primary Care provider role? What does this new job entail? You will work as an RN?

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, cardiac, trauma.

FCNP is a primary care role. I would be working as an office RN, taking triage calls for sick patients, warfarin therapy, immunotherapy, depo-testosterone, calling patients with test results, being a go-between for the providers and their patients. I currently work full-time nights in an ER, but will not be working as an ER NP, so this experience would definitely help give me a better perspective on the course of study. It's been hard, definitely, working full-time and full-time grad school.

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I think you really should because what happens if you get the job and then they won't let you take time for school? I recently went for a job and was open about needing Wednesdays off for the upcoming semester and they appreciated the openess. They offered me the job but they told me they couldn't guarantee the time I needed so eventually I didn't accept the position. I can't take a job that might not give me the time to attend class when I've invested all this money in my education. I think they'd be happy to have to seeing as you want to work in that specialty and might encourage you to advance so they can hire you after you graduate.

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Specializes in Rehab, pediatrics.

I would go to the interview but make it clear to them that you are in school and you may need schedule changes.

Do you have clinicals with your program? Those tend to be during the week so you may have to get days off during the week once clinicals come around.

I hope the best for you though. Just keep in mind if you make the switch that your employer has to be willing to help move things around if needed so you can finish school.

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, cardiac, trauma.

I really appreciate everyone's input. I think being upfront, with full disclosure, is the way to go. It's definitely a fine balance.

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