What do you do now? Take a page from the scout manual: Be prepared. Here are half a dozen tips to get you there.

1. Know your message. Know your story and the key message you want to get across (e.g., minorities are underrepresented in RN population). Back up your statements with clear facts and figures. For example, instead of “many people are uninsured” say “XX million are uninsured”; or “one in X.” Know going into the interview the points you want to make.

2. Think in sound bites. As every good politician knows, sound bites are king of the airways: Think about the last news magazine show you watched. Sound bites can help you paint a picture that the reporter and his or her target audience can relate to. Remember that a reporter who talks with you an hour may only use one or two quotes.

Some examples of sound bites and stories:

• “One of every 44 registered women voters in the US is a nurse.”
• “Hispanic nurses have the competence, compassion, and courage to get care to Hispanic people in need.”
• “An 80-year-old woman can stay at home with her 76-year-old husband instead of selling her house and moving to a nursing home because of the care nurses give.”

3. Keep the reporter’s perspective in mind. You may have to educate the reporter by providing background information. For example, many reporters don’t know what an advanced practice nurse is. Give background information, but don’t inundate and don’t patronize. You can make a friend by giving the reporter other resources (e.g., people, websites) where additional information can be found.

4. Remember the reporter’s audience. Ultimately, a reporter is looking for a good story that has meaning to his or her audience. Consider how your message relates to the audience; put it in terms they can understand.

5. Keep your cool while you stay in control. Stay focused on your message, don’t be distracted, and don’t talk off the record. If you are unclear about what is being asked, don’t rush into a response, but instead request clarification. Correct misstatements by the reporter and keep the interview on track.

6. Use the medium to your advantage. It’s different being interviewed for print, radio, and TV. In addition to your message, be aware of your voice inflections and, in the case of TV, your appearance. It’s especially important on radio to create pictures, use a pleasing tone, and respond readily (lengthy pauses of four seconds or more are particularly distracting).

If you are quoted in an article, or after a radio or TV interview, send a thank-you note to the reporter. Reporters guard their contacts zealously; they’ll remember you the next time they need a quote. And you’ll get another opportunity to get your message across.