Should I call the director or no?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Soooo I had an interview yesterday. I'm looking (end goal) to become a CRNA. Currently, I work full time in a Level II trauma center Emergency Department and I do honestly like my job BUT I can't see myself doing it forever. So I interviewed yesterday for a PRN Critical Care position to start gaining experience for CRNA school and to ease myself over from ER to CCU.

I got to the interview and I wasn't nervous at all. The director was super friendly and put me right at ease! She interviewed me and had me do a peer interview (on the spot) with 3 of the nurses from the CCU. I talked with them for a good 35-45 minutes and enjoyed our talk! I felt like it went really well. I'm starting to think I would like to apply for a full time position, not just a PRN job. Should I call the manager and let her know that? Or should I wait for her to contact me regarding the PRN position?

Thanks for any and all advice!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch!

It sounds like things went well and you have the experience BUT don't count on it 100% until you have the offer. You never know who may come out of the woodwork, know the right people, have BETTER experience, etc. and swoop in and take the position.

If you get the offer then next time you go in you might mention that you're considering a full time switch over to ICU. If they already have a FT position posted you might ask about it if you're willing to jump on in. I'm not sure I'd presume I got the position and call and say "Hey I know you haven't even offered me the PRN opening but I'll be joining on full time!"

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch!

It sounds like things went well and you have the experience BUT don't count on it 100% until you have the offer. You never know who may come out of the woodwork, know the right people, have BETTER experience, etc. and swoop in and take the position.

If you get the offer then next time you go in you might mention that you're considering a full time switch over to ICU. If they already have a FT position posted you might ask about it if you're willing to jump on in. I'm not sure I'd presume I got the position and call and say "Hey I know you haven't even offered me the PRN opening but I'll be joining on full time!"

Thanks for the advice! I actually got a text message from her today saying she put in a requisition form asking for a PRN position to be given to me and that she would be in touch as soon as she heard something. So hearing that from her, should I tell her of my interest in something full time or wait for the requisition to go through? I don't want to seem too confident because obviously I don't have an offer but I really enjoyed the interview and I'm regretting only

applying for a PRN job.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Oh! And yes. They have 7 full time positions open in the CCU/ICU/SICU!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I would be careful about the move to full time. Why are there 7 full time open positions? Did a bunch of people just up and leave? I say take the job as PRN and scout out the unit yourself for 2-3 months and then make the move to full time if you like what you see.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.
I would be careful about the move to full time. Why are there 7 full time open positions? Did a bunch of people just up and leave? I say take the job as PRN and scout out the unit yourself for 2-3 months and then make the move to full time if you like what you see.

I think these are some things to consider. Perhaps they've added beds. Perhaps they have new management. Who knows why there are 7 positions available.

You are aware that you will need the ICU experience to pursue CRNA further but if it's an ICU nobody wants to work at are you okay with putting up with it for a year or two?

Chances are 7 openings won't be taken up in the next couple of months if you do want to wait around and see for a few weeks how the place runs first.

If you're 100% on moving then it wouldn't hurt to let her know that you've thought about it and think you'd like to make the move full time if she's okay with that. If she is pursuing the transfer then they are obviously interested.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to wait and see how the PRN thing goes first and go from there. I have to figure out day care for my daughter also so that will give me time to get that arranged before I decide. I do need the critical care experience but I want to make sure that it's the type of critical care I can get the experience I truly need.

That's why I came here because I knew you would all have opinions and thoughts that I hadn't considered get! Thanks everyone :)

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Specializes in PICU.

As others have said. Start off with the PRN position. Give yourself 6 months to feel things out, then apply. Once you start to work, you may see some things that make the place less attractive and you will be happy with just the PRN. Very difficult to speculate as to why so many open positions... where they short staffed and funds finally became available.....was there a mass exodus due to management/conditions, etc... did several people start school... was it just life changes for people.

Wait and see. A PRN is a great foot in the door and will give you the chance to see them and them to see you.

Good Luck

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I'm sure if there are 7 full time positions open, you'll get lots of extra time as PRN, but you'll have the option to choose if you want to work extra or not. Stick with PRN if you can.

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Specializes in Case Management.

you make a lot more money PRN too ;)

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