Faculty Interview with an RN???

[Sammii118]

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I recently had an interview with an RN and while it went well, I was a bit surprised because I had never heard of anyone interviewing with a nurse... has anyone else had this experience?

 

[Robizzle]

I recently had an interview with an RN and while it went well, I was a bit surprised because I had never heard of anyone interviewing with a nurse... has anyone else had this experience?

While this is shocking, I think it's a great idea (not solely but in addition to an interview with a doctor). Seeing as how we'll be working alongside nurses for years to come, I think it's a good idea to see how experienced nurses perceive medical school applicants as well.

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

While this is shocking, I think it's a great idea (not solely but in addition to an interview with a doctor). Seeing as how we'll be working alongside nurses for years to come, I think it's a good idea to see how experienced nurses perceive medical school applicants as well.

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

 

[4whom]

Maybe they recorded the interview and wanted to see how you would react to being interviewed by a nurse.

 

[jojo_1981]

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

You are SO gonna have a hard time in med school/residency if you keep thinking like this. Nurses aren't equals? Please.

 

[Robizzle]

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

Incase you didn't read my full statement since I'm probably not your equal yet (but I will be 8 years from now after completing medical school and residency right?! Woohoo!), I stated that it would be a good idea to have it IN ADDITION to an interview with a doctor. An interview by a RN alone would probably not be sufficient due to the fact that a doctor will know what specific qualities to look for (can this kid survive med school? will this kid be able to interact and communicate effectively with patients? etc.)

Not just because a nurse is unequal. I could have sworn we were all humans too!

 

[lord_jeebus]

I had an interview with a JD. Seriously. He couldn't answer any of my questions.

 

[4whom]

I had an interview with a JD. Seriously. He couldn't answer any of my questions.

All the docs quit and opened up a spa, eh?

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

Robizzle--My comment was in jest...I really don't feel that way about nurses.

 

[Tired]

I recently had an interview with an RN and while it went well, I was a bit surprised because I had never heard of anyone interviewing with a nurse... has anyone else had this experience?

Not to disrespect the nurses (my wife is one, so don't start with me), but I would immediately cancel my interview and not go to any school that did this.

I understand why other posters here think this is okay. Yes, we will work with nurses throughout our careers. Yes, it is worthwhile to understand where RNs are coming from. But I think folks here are also missing the point of what a med school interview is for.

Nursing has a fundamentally different agenda than medicine does, and it does not always align with ours. They protect their own, just like we do. While nursing works with us (or more accurately, for us), they simply do not understand the process of medical education. Qualities that nursing may find attractive in a potential applicant do not necessarily reflect what will make an applicant successful in med school.

If schools want to expose us to nursing, that's fine. But making a student's application contingent on the approval of a nurse is grossly inappropriate. In my mind, this is one more example of physicians ducking their responsibility and giving inappropriate amounts of authority to ancillary personnel.

 

[Tired]

Nurses aren't equals? Please.

No, they're not.

Physicians are decision-makers, diagnosticians, and perform procedures. Nursing is ancillary support with a limited scope of practice. We are not equals in a professional capacity.

This is not a rude statement, and our RNs should never be subject to abuse or disrespect at the hands of physicians. But stating that RNs are professionally equal to physicians is ridiculous.

 

[gujuDoc]

No, they're not.

Physicians are decision-makers, diagnosticians, and perform procedures. Nursing is ancillary support with a limited scope of practice. We are not equals in a professional capacity.

This is not a rude statement, and our RNs should never be subject to abuse or disrespect at the hands of physicians. But stating that RNs are professionally equal to physicians is ridiculous.

Wow Tired, I never realized you were married.

But I'd just like to say that your two posts above are well stated!! Oh and this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. Normally interviewers tend to be 4th year students, PhDs, and/or MDs along with MD/PhDs. However, they never tend to be nurses unless they are a doctor who once held a nursing degree.

 

[Tired]

Wow Tired, I never realized you were married.

My wife was hit by a car as a child. I assume that a lingering head injury was the only reason she said, "I do". 😀

 

[GreenShirt]

I hand one interview that had a nurse on the panel, and many interviews that had PhD's on them. The point of the interview is to determine what kind of person you are, your motivations for going into health care, how you handle stress, conflict etc. There's no reason a non-MD can't gauge those qualities. Faculty members know the school and the student body, they should be able to judge whether you belong there or not.

 

[janedoe4]

An RN whose primary activity was practicing as a nurse, or an academic whose background happened to be in nursing? I know RN/PhDs who do full-time research, for example, and being interviewed by someone like that would be no different from interviewing with another researcher (non-MD or MD) at an academic medical center.

Maybe that's not the case with this particular interview, but at least another angle on why one might want to question an automatic association between "RN" and "inferior/subordinate"

 

[Vano]

An RN whose primary activity was practicing as a nurse, or an academic whose background happened to be in nursing? I know RN/PhDs who do full-time research, for example, and being interviewed by someone like that would be no different from interviewing with another researcher (non-MD or MD) at an academic medical center.

Maybe that's not the case with this particular interview, but at least another angle on why one might want to question an automatic association between "RN" and "inferior/subordinate"

Exactly. There are nurses out there with PhDs and even if the one interviewing you didn't have one I'm sure she was selected for that role because she does know much about med.school and everything associated with admissions process. Reminds me of an ER episode couple years ago when Kovac was having a conflict with one nurse and was trying to be formal and called her Ms.X and then she goes: if you really want to be formal it's Dr.X

 

[HumbleMD]

My only interview at WashU was with their directory of diversity and minority recruitment (and I'm white). She had an MBA, and was probably the best interview I had all season.

 

[Tired]

I hand one interview that had a nurse on the panel, and many interviews that had PhD's on them. The point of the interview is to determine what kind of person you are, your motivations for going into health care, how you handle stress, conflict etc. There's no reason a non-MD can't gauge those qualities. Faculty members know the school and the student body, they should be able to judge whether you belong there or not.

Are you aware of any RN's on a medical school faculty? As far as my own school, I've been there for 4 years and never met one.

If the situation is, as you presume, an RN/PhD doing research and on the faculty, then maybe it is appropriate. Maybe.

But I really think you're over-generalizing the purpose of the med school interview. The purpose is to determine what kind of person you are, how you handle stress, and how you will fit in in medical school. Nurses, even faculty nurses, have only a passing understanding of the medical education process, and have never experienced the rigors of medical school.

When you consider how much of medical education occurs outside the classroom (clinicals, endless studying, independent research, etc), even a nurse who is faculty will only know what he has heard, since he has never and will never experience it. It is really no different than having a research assistant, department secretary, or hospital tech conduct the interviews.

 

[beauregard]

I think that anyone who's ever spent time in a hospital will know that nurses are not simply ancillary personnel. In many cases, nurses are the primary care givers for patients in that they spend the most time with them, do the charting, etc. that allows the physician to know how to proceed with a patient's care. I think that treating nurses as being subsidiary to doctors will get you nowhere fast. Especially if you work in an ER.

At least that's what I've observed in the ER I work in.

Hell, at some colleges getting into the nursing program is just about like this whole med school process. 😛

 

[FemalesCANTDriv]

I was interviewed by a the dean's 14 year old.

 

[Critical Mass]

The last time I was interviewed by a nurse, it went something like, "Do you like that you little ----? Do you want more? What's my name? What's my name?"

Yeah now that I think about it, I think that she was just wearing a costume. I did enjoy the thermometer placement FWIW. 😀

 

[Chulito]

The last time I was interviewed by a nurse, it went something like, "Do you like that you little ----? Do you want more? What's my name? What's my name?"

Yeah now that I think about it, I think that she was just wearing a costume. I did enjoy the thermometer placement FWIW. 😀

How I delight in your posts, CM. Always a bit of levity when and where it's needed.

 

[SupergreenMnM]

Are you aware of any RN's on a medical school faculty? As far as my own school, I've been there for 4 years and never met one.

If the situation is, as you presume, an RN/PhD doing research and on the faculty, then maybe it is appropriate. Maybe.

But I really think you're over-generalizing the purpose of the med school interview. The purpose is to determine what kind of person you are, how you handle stress, and how you will fit in in medical school. Nurses, even faculty nurses, have only a passing understanding of the medical education process, and have never experienced the rigors of medical school.

When you consider how much of medical education occurs outside the classroom (clinicals, endless studying, independent research, etc), even a nurse who is faculty will only know what he has heard, since he has never and will never experience it. It is really no different than having a research assistant, department secretary, or hospital tech conduct the interviews.

I agree completely. I even dislike PhD's doing interviews unless they actually instruct classes. I'm one myself and don't feel I should be interviewing you as medical school is completely different than what I've done to now.

As for nurses, they ARE subordinate to doctors, but as someone already said that doesn't mean they should be treated poorly. Ask any RN if a CNA is subordinate to them and see if they are so pc...in any event if you are not a MD or not involved with teaching (past or present) in the school I don't think you should be interviewing.

 

[etf]

one of my interviews last year was with an RN/PhD, and I don't think she was any less qualified to interview me as the M.D.s; in fact, i thought she was one of the nicer interviewers, interested in getting to know me as a person. But then again, I didn't get in, so I guess it all works out. Hell, if 2nd year med students can interview me, I don't see why a nurse couldn't.

 

[HumbleMD]

one of my interviews last year was with an RN/PhD, and I don't think she was any less qualified to interview me as the M.D.s; in fact, i thought she was one of the nicer interviewers, interested in getting to know me as a person. But then again, I didn't get in, so I guess it all works out. Hell, if 2nd year med students can interview me, I don't see why a nurse couldn't.

Or sometimes first years. I had one at my MSU-CHM interview who was so socially awkward I felt like I was obligated to get him to talk. If they let M1s interview in September/October, I don't know who they wouldn't have interview. Get over yourselves. An M1 doesn't know their ass from their elbow in October. I'd trust the opinion of an RN...

 

[CTtarheel]

I agree that a nurse is not your academic equal. I don't buy into that new age medical philosophy where we're all equal team members because it amounts to saying that my 4 years of medical school and who knows how many years of residency are worthless.

However, I do think a nurse has a VERY good idea as to what makes a good doctor. They interact with doctors every day and can definitely recognize the good and bad qualities. And to all those of you who claim you "won't get information about the school this way", stop kidding yourselves. The interview isn't really designed for you to get to know the school. It's simply another evaluation. Ask your questions on the tour.

 

[Depakote]

I agree that a nurse is not your academic equal. I don't buy into that new age medical philosophy where we're all equal team members because it amounts to saying that my 4 years of medical school and who knows how many years of residency are worthless.

However, I do think a nurse has a VERY good idea as to what makes a good doctor. They interact with doctors every day and can definitely recognize the good and bad qualities. And to all those of you who claim you "won't get information about the school this way", stop kidding yourselves. The interview isn't really designed for you to get to know the school. It's simply another evaluation. Ask your questions on the tour.

I was about to go bang my head against a cement wall due to the stupidity of this thread until I read this post. Thanks.

 

[MChitty]

One school I interviewed with, you could interview with anyone who was on the faculty. I know that includes RNs, but I ended up interviewing with a MPH and a PhD in sociology.

The guy with the MPH had been at the school for over 30 years and seemed very knowledgable about the whole process and I felt like it was a very informative interview. The other interviewer...not so much. I feel like it depends on the school. I know at this school, they really want to see if you will fit in to the culture of the school and I don't think it necessarily takes an MD to determine that...

 

[gujuDoc]

My wife was hit by a car as a child. I assume that a lingering head injury was the only reason she said, "I do". 😀

😛

 

[riceman04]

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

Wow!!!

We have gotten a glimpse into how you might interact with nurses if and when you do become a doctor. I feel sorry for them!

 

[Pansit]

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

The typical..."I am better than everyone around me approach" that we are often stereotyped with....thanks for proving that right once again🙄

 

[Tired]

However, I do think a nurse has a VERY good idea as to what makes a good doctor. They interact with doctors every day and can definitely recognize the good and bad qualities.

And once again, everyone misses the point of the medical school interview.

It's not a job interview. Whether or not you have the qualities that make a good physician is simply not the point. They need to know if you have the qualities that make a good medical student, a topic completely out of the realm of nursing. Don't kid yourselves into thinking that they are the same thing. If that were true, all the SDN posters who complain that they have low scores but great "social skills" would have multiple acceptances.

The plaintive wails here about everyone being on the same team and everyone being equal are very PC. But we'll see what song y'all sing in a few years.

 

[HumbleMD]

And once again, everyone misses the point of the medical school interview.

It's not a job interview. Whether or not you have the qualities that make a good physician is simply not the point. They need to know if you have the qualities that make a good medical student, a topic completely out of the realm of nursing. Don't kid yourselves into thinking that they are the same thing. If that were true, all the SDN posters who complain that they have low scores but great "social skills" would have multiple acceptances.

The plaintive wails here about everyone being on the same team and everyone being equal are very PC. But we'll see what song y'all sing in a few years.

😱
You can't say that. Everyone knows that self-assessed "killer E.C.s, stellar L.O.R.s" and "excellent interview skills" can make up for a lackluster MCAT and GPA. The nerve...

 

[gotmeds?]

And once again, everyone misses the point of the medical school interview.

It's not a job interview. Whether or not you have the qualities that make a good physician is simply not the point. They need to know if you have the qualities that make a good medical student, a topic completely out of the realm of nursing. Don't kid yourselves into thinking that they are the same thing. If that were true, all the SDN posters who complain that they have low scores but great "social skills" would have multiple acceptances.

The plaintive wails here about everyone being on the same team and everyone being equal are very PC. But we'll see what song y'all sing in a few years.

Hey, thanks for clearing that up for us. I'm glad you know more about med school interviews than the medical schools do. Most people who get interviews would probably make good med students. That's not the point. It's really up to the invdividual school how they wish to evaluate you. If they want to do it by having you interview with a RN, that's really up to them. But hey, if you're ever in that situation, just walk out and tell them you don't deal with lowly nurses. I'm sure they'll just accept you for being able to lay down the law and for letting them know how medicine works.

 

[CTtarheel]

And once again, everyone misses the point of the medical school interview.

It's not a job interview. Whether or not you have the qualities that make a good physician is simply not the point. They need to know if you have the qualities that make a good medical student, a topic completely out of the realm of nursing. Don't kid yourselves into thinking that they are the same thing. If that were true, all the SDN posters who complain that they have low scores but great "social skills" would have multiple acceptances.

The plaintive wails here about everyone being on the same team and everyone being equal are very PC. But we'll see what song y'all sing in a few years.

Come ON . . . don't buy into the BS schools feed you. You don't go get dressed up and rehearse questions just so you can go "learn about a school". Plus, i would think med schools would be concerned about making good DOCTORS, not good students. Those with great social skills and horrible scores don't make it to the interview, PLUS, a good interview will never negate a lack of demonstrated intelligence. Interviews are more to weed out the a-holes and antisocial types than to help those with good personalities. A nurse is NOT your medical equal (I don't buy into that PC BS either), but he/she definitely at least knows what makes a good doctor, and can pick out an a-hole probably better than most.

 

[SupergreenMnM]

Come ON . . . don't buy into the BS schools feed you. You don't go get dressed up and rehearse questions just so you can go "learn about a school". Plus, i would think med schools would be concerned about making good DOCTORS, not good students. Those with great social skills and horrible scores don't make it to the interview, PLUS, a good interview will never negate a lack of demonstrated intelligence. Interviews are more to weed out the a-holes and antisocial types than to help those with good personalities. A nurse is NOT your medical equal (I don't buy into that PC BS either), but he/she definitely at least knows what makes a good doctor, and can pick out an a-hole probably better than most.

Actually, a good 99% of the application process is to insure you don't flunk out of med school and cost them 3 years of tuition money they would have got if they had chosen someone who could hack it 😱

 

[foofish]

My only interview at WashU was with their directory of diversity and minority recruitment (and I'm white). She had an MBA, and was probably the best interview I had all season.

I was just thinking along those lines, that if it's inappropriate for an RN to interview because of a difference in agenda of their profession, why is it considered acceptable for PhDs to interview, or directors of admissions that might not have any medical degree at all? (E.g. I had a great, and thought-provoking interview with an admissions director that had degrees in education...) Presumably it's because they're looking at characteristics and experiences that are accessible to non-physicians...

 

[Cirrus83]

I was interviewed exclusively by a non-MD at Downstate, and only one of my interviewers was an MD at Stony Brook so personally I have no idea why people would think it's that shocking that there'd be an RN interviewing.

They don't have to be a doctor to see if you're a raging a-hole/lunatic/etc, lol.

 

[PeripateticMD]

Hey, thanks for clearing that up for us. I'm glad you know more about med school interviews than the medical schools do. Most people who get interviews would probably make good med students. That's not the point. It's really up to the invdividual school how they wish to evaluate you. If they want to do it by having you interview with a RN, that's really up to them. But hey, if you're ever in that situation, just walk out and tell them you don't deal with lowly nurses. I'm sure they'll just accept you for being able to lay down the law and for letting them know how medicine works.

I'm with this dude. I think RN's are great at determining who good doctors will be. Only because I grew up with my dad being chief of anesthesia at a UC and he was on the admissions board and he said watching students go through, especially the last two clinical years, nurses were right on target.

Personally, I respect nurses on par with doctors, if only because i was surrounded by them as a kid. In my interviews, at least half of the directors/assoc.deans of admissions were not MDs, and more and more are not being MDs, because MDs are not necessarily the best at choosing MDs.

I've had interviews with MPAs, MBAs, MDs, and PhDs... too bad I didn't get a nurse...

 

[emgirl]

No, they're not.

Physicians are decision-makers, diagnosticians, and perform procedures. Nursing is ancillary support with a limited scope of practice. We are not equals in a professional capacity.

This is not a rude statement, and our RNs should never be subject to abuse or disrespect at the hands of physicians. But stating that RNs are professionally equal to physicians is ridiculous.

Agreed. My best friend is an RN. It took her 2 years to get that degree at a CC. I respect her immensely but comparing an RN to an MD (4 years college+4 years med school+ min 3 years residency) is ludicrous. My friend didn't even have to do a "residency"- she was hired right after 2 years of classes into a hospital.

NOT THE SAME as a doctor. Equal as humans, but not as professionals.

 

[Disinence2]

Maybe patients should start interviewing us??!? Give me a break--we're going to medical school to become doctors. Applicants should be afforded the dignity of interviewing with future equals.

Wow, your a jerk. I for one consider nurses and patients as equalls. I have a feeling yout gonna be that kinda doctor.

Anyways... maybe they just gave the doctor a name badge that said "RN" to try to weed out students like you.

 

[LizzyM]

Not every interviewer is a physician but with the exception of current medical students, every interviewer I've ever met has been is a member of the medical school faculty.

"Can you cut it academically?" can generally be determined by a review of the paper application and those who can't aren't even granted an interview.

"Do you have the coping mechanisms to remain healthy during medical school?" and some of the personality issues are what the interviwe is all about.

The interview is also a chance for you to learn more about the school and some schools will be trying to sell you on the school as much as you are trying to sell yourself (by this time of year, when students are deciding among great offers the schools are hoping that the interview day was a positive experience that may influence your decision).

 

[8744]

My wife was hit by a car as a child. I assume that a lingering head injury was the only reason she said, "I do". 😀

Yours too?

 

[AmoryBlaine]

I'm with this dude. I think RN's are great at determining who good doctors will be. Only because I grew up with my dad being chief of anesthesia at a UC and he was on the admissions board and he said watching students go through, especially the last two clinical years, nurses were right on target.

Personally, I respect nurses on par with doctors, if only because i was surrounded by them as a kid. In my interviews, at least half of the directors/assoc.deans of admissions were not MDs, and more and more are not being MDs, because MDs are not necessarily the best at choosing MDs.

I've had interviews with MPAs, MBAs, MDs, and PhDs... too bad I didn't get a nurse...

Gotta weigh in against RN interviews to med school. I have the utmost respect for nurses but people who have stated that they are subordinate are correct.

I also doubt that nurses are particularly good at identifying which people will become good doctors, although they are probably awesome at pointing out students that will get along with nurses.

 

[GoLAClippers]

This is so East Asian

 

[LizzyM]

Gotta weigh in against RN interviews to med school. I have the utmost respect for nurses but people who have stated that they are subordinate are correct.

But an RN who is a member of the medical school faculty is not subordinate to a medial school applicant.



(I am not an RN.)

 

[HumbleMD]

But an RN who is a member of the medical school faculty is not subordinate to a medial school applicant.



(I am not an RN.)

That's where the ridiculousness of the this thread comes in. As an applicant on an interview day, most probably they don't even have a bachelor's degree yet, let alone an M.D., so I don't think an applicant is ever in the business of looking down on people as suboordinates during interview day.

Are R.N.s on par with M.D.s in a hospital? Of course not, the M.D. is the one getting sued for their signature and has to take final responsibility. But of course they should be valued for (in many cases) longer years of experience, and dealing with many stresses of patients.

 

[horsenurse25]

I don't think the words 'equal' or 'subordinate' accurately describe the relationship most nurse/doctors have in the public setting.

But you guys will figure that out for yourselves later...

Every successful doctor has been grateful to the nurses and value their expertise and often appreciate the insight they have due to their hands on work with the patients.

And successful nurses value the doctors and appreciate their knowledge and help them every way they can.

A symbiotic relationship if you will...

 

[Richard Kimble]

My interviews with PhDs always seemed more difficult. I think there was that "Why don't you do what I did?" question that seemed to linger sub-vocally. The MD interviews you could relate your desire of helping people using science and the doctor-patient interaction with. Conveying this relationship that you've seen during volunteering is not as easy with someone that doesn't practice medicine. While some PhDs do have patient contact, the ones I interviewed with were strictly bench researchers. It was a fine line to walk when PhD interviewers asked why not full time research and I had to state that science is only half the picture, and patient interaction was the other (this picture varies from person to person. Different strokes for different folks). I agree that if you interview for regular MD you should interview with at least 1 MD/DO. Not that the other faculty are subordinate to an MD/DO, but only an MD/DO is in the unique position of practicing medicine in which you aspire to (they can directly relate to your motives like no one else).

 

[CTtarheel]

My interviews with PhDs always seemed more difficult. I think there was that "Why don't you do what I did?" question that seemed to linger sub-vocally. The MD interviews you could relate your desire of helping people using science and the doctor-patient interaction with. Conveying this relationship that you've seen during volunteering is not as easy with someone that doesn't practice medicine. While some PhDs do have patient contact, the ones I interviewed with were strictly bench researchers. It was a fine line to walk when PhD interviewers asked why not full time research and I had to state that science is only half the picture, and patient interaction was the other (this picture varies from person to person. Different strokes for different folks). I agree that if you interview for regular MD you should interview with at least 1 MD/DO. Not that the other faculty are subordinate to an MD/DO, but only an MD/DO is in the unique position of practicing medicine in which you aspire to (they can directly relate to your motives like no one else).

I get this attitude more from my science profs than i did from PhD interviewers. The PhD's who interviewed me just seemed more interested about my research and much more capable of getting into the details than the MD's. I probably had more PhD interviewers than MD's though.