Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Job Interview Tips

PNP Job Interview Tips

The key is to Practice, Practice, Practice!

So how do you practice for a pnp job interview? That is a good question; please also see PNP Job Interview Sample Questions. Try practicing your presentation and answers aloud until you are comfortable.  It is a good idea to use a video camera to capture the mock interview and self-critique. This helps to make you sound less rehearsed, pay attention to your nonverbal language, and any language you use to fill time when you need to think.  Video cameras are especially helpful because you can also critique your body language, posture, and hand movements.  Researchers believe that possibly more than 95% of our communication is nonverbal. 

But what should you watch for when reviewing your video?

The NAPNAP Career Guide offers a full video review guide along with detailed tips and strategies for preparing to ace your next PNP interview.  Some of the tips include:

• PNP Job Interview Practice Tips
• PNP Job Prescreening Interviews
• PNP Job Telephone Interview Tips
• PNP Job Video Interview Tips
• PNP Job On-site Interview Tips
• PNP Job Interview Tips
• PNP Job Interview Format
• PNP Job Interview – Common Questions
• PNP Job Interview – Behavioral Questions
• PNP Job Interview – General Questions
• PNP Job Interview – Open Ended Questions
• PNP Job Interview – PNP Salary
• PNP Job Interview – Questions to Ask
• AND MORE!

Visit the NAPNAP Career Guide for many more PNP career resources.

Looking for new PNP job opportunities?  Visit Melnic Consulting Group to explore nationwide Pediatric Nurse Practitioner jobs.


To inquire about PNP jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Pediatric Nursing Interview Tips – Thank You Letters

 

Immediately after a pediatric nursing interview, you should start thinking about what you will write in your follow-up thank you letter or email to the interviewers you met with at the organization.  This is an important step in the process, even if you are no longer interested in the position.  It is best to start your letter while the interview is fresh in your mind.  Ideally you should send follow-up emails within 24 hours of an interview and within 3 days if you are sending a card.  Realize that the employer may be interviewing other pediatric nursing candidates and you want to reemphasize your interest in the position, stay top of mind, and clear up any areas you feel you may have fallen short in the interview.    

Note:  Ask for business cards from each person you meet with so you have their correct contact information for follow-up

Here are some suggestions for a thank you letter:
● Thank the interviewer(s) for his or her time.
● Clearly portray your excitement and strong interest in the job and organization.
● Reemphasize your qualifications for the position – Clearly align your qualifications with their requirements
● Remind the interviewer of the points you feel you connected on – such as how you are the best candidate to help solve a specific gap, issue or problem they have.
● Introduce information that you intended to highlight during the interview.
● Offer to provide additional information if needed.
● State how you will follow-up (e.g. “I will call you next week” or “I am looking forward to your call as we discussed...”).

If you are no longer interested in the position, thank the interviewer for their time and consideration, and briefly relay that this particular position is not right for you at this time.  The interviewer will appreciate your honestly and you will not burn any bridges along the way. 

View advanced pediatric nursing jobs, pediatric CNS jobs, pediatric nurse leadership jobs, Pediatric PA jobs, and Pediatric RN jobs. 

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Importance of a PNP Orientation Program



New Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are transitioning from an RN role to a PNP role that involves a whole new level of decision making and responsibilities.  With this transition, new PNPs very often experience feelings of decreased confidence, anxiety and frustration.  To help the PNP through this critical transition it is extremely important for the PNP to go through an orientation program that will guide them through the process and offer support during this time of uncertainty.  The program should offer new PNPs time to do outside learning and knowledge based training before transitioning to an independent full patient load.  It takes 4-12 months for this transition for specialty care PNPs.

As a new PNP, a clearly defined and structured orientation program is something you should look for when considering a new pediatric nurse practitioner job and a new pediatric healthcare facility.  Be sure to ask extensive questions about the PNP orientation process when interviewing with a potential new employer.  Some questions to ask include: 

• Is there a PNP Orientation Coordinator?
• Do you assign new PNPs a mentor?  (Ideally a PNP or physician from a different department)
• Do you provide coaching and support?
• Is there a clear understanding of the PNP scope of practice and role across all team members?
• Do you provide procedural and didactic guidance?
• Are there job-shadowing and training opportunities? 

These are valid and appropriate questions to ask a potential employer.  A PNP orientation program is extremely important to your success, confidence, and comfort in your new role.  If an employer does not currently have an orientation program, but recognizes the importance of instating a new process, do not write them off.  If they are open to developing a program, this may be your big chance to be on the founding team of their new PNP orientation process.  There is an industry wide recognition for the need of PNP orientation programs, and assisting in the development and implementation of a new program could be a huge resume booster.   

To learn more about PNP Orientation Programs contact Melnic Consulting Group's President, Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com.  

Visit our website for Pediatric Advanced Practice Nursing Jobs Melnic Consulting Group

PNP Telephone Interview Tips

An advanced practice nursing telephone interview is most often a brief “get to know you” conversation, but it is still very important to do as much research as possible about the facility, position, unit, and interviewer.    The interviewer will ask questions such as, “Why do you want to work here?” and “Why do you feel you would be a good fit for this pediatric nursing position?”  See additional PNP interview questions.  You should be prepared to answer these questions and do so with enthusiasm!  This is your opportunity to convey your interest and excitement about the open pediatric nursing position.  Make sure you express not only why you want the job, but also how your experience, training, and specialties will benefit the employer and help them meet their objectives.  In addition, an interviewer may ask you to provide facts that support your advanced practice nursing resume.  Expect that they will want you to include some context about your performance in previous positions or situations.  Make sure you study your resume prior to the interview, and print a copy to reference throughout the call. 

So what are some good questions for you to ask during a telephone interview? 

If the person you are speaking with is in a role such as HR Manager, or Recruiter, you will want to ask more general questions such as “Who will the person in this role report to within the unit?” or “Can you please tell me a little about the culture at your organization.”  If you are speaking with the Physician or Director within the unit, you can ask more specific questions such as, “Can you please tell me about the role of the pediatric nurse practitioner within your unit” or “What is the patient population within the unit?” At this early stage of the interview process, do not ask questions about compensation, salary, benefits, vacation time, etc.  The purpose of the telephone interview is to get an in-person interview and the compensation specifics should not be brought up by you until an offer has been made and your PNP contract negotiations are in process. 

An advanced practice nursing telephone interview typically lasts between 30-45 minutes but could be as quick as 15 minutes.  At the completion of the interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time, let them know you enjoyed speaking with them, and ask what the next step is in the interview process. A best practice is to ask permission to follow-up with a phone call or e-mail if you have not heard back by a predetermined date.  Finally, be sure to write a thank you e-mail within 24 hours after the interview.  This is not only polite, but is also an essential communication that assures the interviewer you are still interested in the position and would like an invitation for an in-person interview. 

Check back for tips on overcoming a lack of "on-paper experience" to obtain your ideal pediatric nursing position. 

See more PNP interview tips!

Participate in our 2012 Advanced Practice Nursing Salary Survey
View the 2012 PNP Salary Survey Results

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurses: Salary negotiation during an interview

The advanced practice interview process is a time for you to shine and communicate all the qualities that make you the best candidate for the pediatric nursing position.  While salary and benefits may be on the top of your mind, the interview is not the time to discuss money. 

During an interview at a children’s hospital or primary care facility, you want to focus on whether or not the position and facility are right for you.  If they are, your number one goal is to receive an offer.  Once an offer is made, you can start to negotiate the pediatric advanced practice nursing salary and package for the position. 

It is important not to give the interviewer a specific salary number prior to receiving an offer.  This will avoid capping yourself at a lower salary than may have been presented.  If salary does come up in the interview, it is okay to ask what the salary range is for that particular position.  Let the interviewer know that your salary expectations are open without providing specifics. 

As a placement provider, Melnic Consulting Group has a great deal of experience negotiating the best possible salary and benefits for our PNP candidates.   When you utilize Melnic throughout your PNP job search, you have the comfort of knowing that we will negotiate on your behalf.   

To inquire about advanced practice jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com

Interview Tips for Advanced Practice Nurses

Telephone Interview Tips for PNPs:  The #1 goal of a telephone interview is to receive an invitation for an in-person interview. Prior to the telephone call, be sure to do your research – read up on the facility, the person who will conduct the interview, and any specific interests or specialties you can find, such as research, awards, etc. If you are interviewing with a hospital, look up the unit in which you are applying, and any pertinent information that pertains to that pediatric unit.

During a telephone interview, it is important to carefully listen to the question presented by the interviewer, and focus exclusively on answering that specific question. Be prepared to answer questions regarding your nursing experience, and why you would be a good fit for the job. It is also very important to be able to express your high-level of enthusiasm for the job opportunity. Be sure to have one or two questions ready to ask, such as: Can you explain the role and responsibilities of this advanced practice nursing position? What are the demographics of this particular unit, in regards to size, number of patients, and culture? Any questions you can save for an in-person interview are worth saving.

To close the interview, ask the interviewer when he/she expects to get back to you. When given the timeframe, ask if you may follow-up with them directly, in the event that you do not hear back a day or two past the projected response date.

The key is to do your research ahead of time, speak slow and clear, and express your passion and desire for the job.  You'll do great! 

Check back for more information on topics such as, how to talk about compensation, benefits, holidays, and time off.

View Advanced Practice Nursing Salaries & PNP Sample Resumes
Melnic Consulting Group | (800) 886-7906 | www.melnic.com

To inquire about these jobs visit Melnic Consulting Group or contact: Jill Gilliland 800-886-7906 jill@melnic.com