Caution! Do not assume a potential employer understands the APN role:

Consequently, do not assume that a want ad, an interview or even an offer of employment represents an accurate understanding of the APN role. Additionally, do not assume that a past or present history of employing other APNs is a guarantee of organizational support and appropriate utilization.

How do you manage this potentially difficult situation? With attributes that are an inherent part of the APN role, of course! Be informed, proactive and articulate! Your present knowledge base regarding the role and issues related to practice is current, perhaps even more so than the individual(s) conducting the employment interview.

While confidence in your clinical skills may be tenuous, confidence in your ability to define and promote your role should not be. Ascertain a prospective employer's concept of the APN role, and then clarify, question and expound where necessary in order to determine if this will be an environment conducive to your professional growth and development.

This is not the time to be a passive participant. The interviewing process is a dynamic, multidirectional process. You are interviewing as much as being interviewed.

Suggestions for potential areas to clarify, question, and expound upon during an interview:

• Requirements for licensing and prescriptive privilege
  
  
• APN credentialing
  
  
• Primary care provider status
  
  
• Areas of APN expertise which include:
  
  
  • Health maintenance & health promotion
    
    
  • Disease prevention
    
    
  • Early disease intervention
    
    
• Roles other than clinician which include:
  
  
  • Educator
    
    
  • Program developer
    
    
  • Researcher
    
    
  • Administrator