How to prepare for NP postdoc (papers, etc.)

[Lichtung]

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I come from a highly clinical program, so I'm not well acquainted with the necessity of papers for a solid NP postdoc.

To summarize, I have 3 years in highly regarded NP labs, 3 posters, no papers, dissertation complete, and I'm headed for a solid neuropsych internship where both NP supervisors are productive. I hope to get the most productive, senior guy for the first rotation, but I may end up getting him second. There is 4 hours of protected research time at this site.

In any case, will I be competitive for good NP postdocs? Should I do everything possible to catalyze paper production and completion at my current job (though I have limited control and they may not be viable anyway)? I plan to ask the postdoc next week, but I'm seeking as many opinions as possible.

While I plan to practice as a clinical NP doing little research, I'd like to keep the door open for an academic medical center fellowship, if possible. (May have just answered own question).

Ok, go!

 

[Existenz]

I come from a highly clinical program, so I'm not well acquainted with the necessity of papers for a solid NP postdoc.

To summarize, I have 3 years in highly regarded NP labs, 3 posters, no papers, dissertation complete, and I'm headed for a solid neuropsych internship where both NP supervisors are productive. I hope to get the most productive, senior guy for the first rotation, but I may end up getting him second. There is 4 hours of protected research time at this site.

In any case, will I be competitive for good NP postdocs? Should I do everything possible to catalyze paper production and completion at my current job (though I have limited control and they may not be viable anyway)? I plan to ask the postdoc next week, but I'm seeking as many opinions as possible.

While I plan to practice as a clinical NP doing little research, I'd like to keep the door open for an academic medical center fellowship, if possible. (May have just answered own question).

Ok, go!

haha you're paranoid already like me. Well, I'm personally trying to get something else published and I suppose making sure your first rotation at internship is from a good, well-known, supervisor is about all we can do at this point. I'm just happy and relieved i got a dedicated np slot too

 

[Lichtung]

No doubt. I'm certainly requesting the big name for the first rotation but I have no idea if it'll happen. The postdoc may be able to clarify the feasibility of a paper, but I'm wondering about how much of a difference it would make, when what I want most in the world right now is to put in my 2 weeks.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Your first month of internship will be burned up by paperwork, orientation, and getting accustomed to your site/rotations, so you are best served starting the conversation early with any possible research mentors. You won't have time to do an IRB, etc...so look for archival data options. You may get lucky and be able to contribute to a manuscript, but it really depends on what is available. In general, it is pretty hard to get more than a poster or maybe paper done during internship. You need to hit the ground running, have supportive mentorship, and/or be in a place that encourages research productivity from interns.

In regard to academic medical centers and neuro post-docs....they are definitely more difficult to get into, though it is still possible. Most neuro match sites at academic medical centers are largely clinical (pays the bills), though having a strong research background definitely helps. Having strong letters of recommendation is a must, as many fellowships (whether they admit it or not) largely base their decision on the CV and LORS...and less on the interviews. It makes sense, because how well can you actually get to know someone when you are doing back-to-back interviews for 2 days at INS? For better or worse, a lot of interviews happen because of word of mouth (connections), so check with your mentors and see if they know anyone at sites you are considering. I had personal recommendations at a number of my sites...and I got interviews at all but 1.

 

[Zigman]

This is great. I was going to start a similar thread as I just matched to a med school NP track for internship. I'm going to continue getting as many abstracts and pubs as I can to ensure best odds for post doc -and I'm told there are several datasets ripe for the picking at my site 🙂

Another thing I was wondering....how many sites should one apply to for an NP postdoc? Is it like internship (~15), or not?

Also, I think I'd really like the option of working at a VA in the future. Given that I've never worked in a VA, and my internship is at a med school, I pretty much need a VA postdoc, correct?

Lastly, is it possible to work at an academic med center in a primarily clinical capacity as an NP? Will a PsyD help or hurt me (or neither) in this endeavor?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

This is great. I was going to start a similar thread as I just matched to a med school NP track for internship. I'm going to continue getting as many abstracts and pubs as I can to ensure best odds for post doc -and I'm told there are several datasets ripe for the picking at my site 🙂

Another thing I was wondering....how many sites should one apply to for an NP postdoc? Is it like internship (~15), or not?

Also, I think I'd really like the option of working at a VA in the future. Given that I've never worked in a VA, and my internship is at a med school, I pretty much need a VA postdoc, correct?

Lastly, is it possible to work at an academic med center in a primarily clinical capacity as an NP? Will a PsyD help or hurt me (or neither) in this endeavor?

I can address the last point from the perspective of my interview experiences--nearly all of the academic MC sites I visited had at least a few NP faculty who focused predominantly on clinical work. So yes, it's quite possible, as the clinical work is often what "pays the bills." However, the work load at academic MCs definitely seems to be higher than at VA hospitals (at least in terms of length of average work day/week).

If a preponderance of clinical work is the ultimate goal, then I would imagine you'd want to focus on NP post-docs that are clinically-oriented (50+% time). This will naturally limit the number of applications you send out. Also, advice received from a colleague--be cognizant of WHERE you're applying, as you will actually have to live there for two years rather than just one as with internship. I can't say that I personally would turn down a post-doc position if the only drawback were its location, but being in at least the same general area where I'd like to eventually end up long-term is definitely a desired outcome. Networking really is important when it comes to finding great employment opportunities--case in point, I've been fortunate enough to already receive a job offer at a rather successful private practice if I'd wanted to stick around here once I finish my program in a year. It's really made the decision to move away more difficult than it otherwise might've been.