As an experienced professional:
You are a new graduate and an experienced registered nurse. This is a critical point to remember and a critical point to bring to the attention of potential employers. As a student learning a new role, one often misplaces the confidence and compete nce acquired in the months and years preceding the return to school.
It is likely that the recently acquired skills and knowledge associated with the APN role are the attributes that qualify you for a particular job, such as nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Therefore, it is important to remember that cumulative years of formal education and nursing practice make up the big picture of who the APN is and the range of contributions you can make to an organization.
Suggested experiences to bring to the attention of a potential employer that address the big picture may include prior roles as a:
- Lactation specialist
- Certified diabetic educator
- Team leader or charge nurse
- Research assistant
- Grant writer
- Program developer for staff and/or patient populations
- Discharge planner
- Public speaker
- Leader in a professional organization
