Tactics for Selling Yourself

[DaisyRN, ACNP]

okay everybody, i have a question. i am currently in an acnp program and live in a rural area that has just recently began using mid-levels in the er. the ers of two hospitals are staffed by a physician group that has employed 5 pas full-time. in the larger er, there is a fast track and a comprehensive side. as i am going to school to study critical care management, i do not want to be stuck, nor will i be qualified to treat as if i were an outpatient clinic provider in the fast track. my question is this:

i will graduate december 2007 with my acnp. i have been an er nurse for 3+ years working with these er physicians and both of these hospitals. i have a great rapport with nearly all of the physicians. however, they are only using pas right now... and just realizing the scope of midlevels in their relation to the er setting. at what point should i try to meet with this group to essentially, "sell myself?"

how should i go about it? schedule a time to talk at their monthly meeting? should i be like a pharmaceutical rep and cater them lunch? also, how should i sell myself? should i start with an initial meeting soon and just let all of them (who don't already know) be aware of my goals and just allow for feedback and then plan for a meeting when it got closer to graduation? should i address my abilities when i am finished? what about the fact that i will not be able to treat 11 yr olds and younger with the acnp? this would need to be in my contract.

any helpful tactics would be appreciated!

thanks!!

[ERNP]

Daisy,

Start talking now. Do some clinicals in the ED if you can. Mention it to everyone who asks that you would like to work there when you graduate. Give the director a resume'. If they poo poo you at first just keep bringing it up. Mention it to people who you don't necessarily think would have any input in to the decision, you might be surprised at the network that you never see. Tell people who don't ask that you want to work there when you graduate.

That being said I have a couple of questions. Is there a seperate pediatric ER? The reason I ask is that some days the whole day is peds. It might be a problem if you can't see them. Very, very generally the docs don't seem to like to see the ear infected and runny nosed very much. That might make a harder sell.

[lalaxton]

Here's another tip that I used when looking for my first job. I interviewed with a group of hospitalists that were not sure if they wanted a PA or NP. I had put together a 'portfolio' with lots of info on the difference between PA's and NP"s, the laws pertaining to the practice of each in that state and why I thought an NP would be the better option for them. Don't focus on your limitations (not being able to treat peds for eg) focus on your strengths!

Good luck!

[platon20]

Why do you need to be hired by doctors?

Just go directly to the hospital management and ask them to hire you. NPs have full independence. They should be able to hire you directly without getting any doctors involved.

[ERNP]

Just go directly to the hospital management and ask them to hire you. NPs have full independence. They should be able to hire you directly without getting any doctors involved.

It usually doesn't work that way. Most often the medical side of an ER is under contract by a private group or staffing company. Therefore, to work ER as a NP you must be either contracted or employed by the group or staffing company.

So, the hospital hiring the ER NP would be like McDonalds hiring people and sending them to work at Burger King.