Interviewing the interviewer questions...

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What kinds of questions should I be asking the interviewer as I interview for new grad positions?

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, HM2Viking

For which type of position are you applying?

Just off the top of my head, generally you should ask the following questions:

  1. What type/hours shifts are available?
  2. How long is the orientation and can it be extended should I need additional time?
  3. Nurse/Patient ratio?
  4. Is there room for advancement within this position and beyond?
  5. How is nursing valued at this entity?
  6. Are there any aspects of my resume on which you wish me to elaborate?

Before you leave, you might consider this question:

"Is there any reason that you know of that you would not hire me?"

And, when you finish, send a hand-written thank you note to the interviewer.

GOOD LUCK and I hope this has helped you.

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Thanks Siri,

I just wanted to make sure that I was putting my best foot forward during the interview process...

I am interviewing for a new grad program with our local VA. I am applying for placement within:

ER

MICU/SICU

OR

Mental Health

I really want to get a position within a teaching hospital as I am kind of a research nerd.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

You are adequately preparing, HM2. Smart move on your part. Many applicants fail to ask questions.

Let us know how the interview turns out!!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Ask about the ratio of experienced to new nurses on the unit and shift you are considering. Run, don't walk, away from any unit with less than 50% experienced staff (2 years or more on that unit).

Ask about the facility's policy on floating staff. Will you areceive a formal orientation (length?) prior to being floated to another unit? Will you be expected to float during your first 6 months of employment? (This is a red flag for me. If you are still learning your duties on your home unit, it is not reasonable to expect you to float to another unit.)

Ask why your position is open. What is the yearly turnover of staff on the unit, and the reasons why staff members leave? (Some turnover is expected due to staff members returning to school, spouses being transferred, moms desiring to stay at home with their children, etc. Anything over 10% would raise some concerns for me, and over 20% I would stay away from.)

Ask about educational opportunities within the facility (CEU's, conferences, grand rounds, etc.) What certifications are required for your unit, and how will the hospital support you in obtaining them?

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If you are in need of a vacation, give them your dates right up front. At that point, they don't "have" you, so it's no problem, where it might be after hire. In fact I think that was my first question (if my month-long vacation plans would be any problem).

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

check out my link collection in this thread:

wondering why you can't get hired or promoted: resume + interview hints!

specifically:

research before your interview - boston college

aacn: hallmarks of the professional nursing practice setting

what every nursing school graduate should consider

when seeking employment

where is the top nursing voice in the organization? are nurses represented in key committees and in governance? request organizational chart

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/pnn/hallmarksbrochure.htm

questions to ask the employer

in addition to the above

a. what is specific unit's retention rate for new grads

b. unit turnover rate

if hr or manager can not provide info or avoids question, move onto next facility.

please bring typed reference list to leave with hr/ manager even if applied online..somehow don't reach my desk with resume.

last rn i hired emailed me thank you and sent hand written note-- chosen over others who never sent one.

2 years latter, i've tapped her to be my new backup manager when i'm off.

last clerk i hired emailed me too as thanks. when i couldn't reach her references, she followed up via email 2x.....showed her persistence and computer savvy which i needed for position...just started working for me monday!

one of our posters mentioned taking thank you cards with her to facility...filled out in lobby and dropped in post office box there. now that's great thinking!

good luck in your search.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

here is a link to questions you should ask the interviewer at your interview:

and, if these questions aren't in the above list, make sure you ask about any specific new grad orientee training or orientee programs, salary, and various benefits (this one especially toward the end of the interview). clarify exactly who you will need a recommendation from (usually they want at least one from a nursing instructor from your school of nursing), if you will need to pass a physical exam as a condition of being employed and what the physical examination will involve and who will be doing it and what their drug testing and fingerprinting requirements are. this way you won't be surprised when these things are brought up when you do go through the hiring process.

i know you didn't ask about these, but i like to post them. they are the behavior traits that most employers look for in professionals during interviews. the good interviewers tailor their interview questions to bring out this kind of information:

  • positive attitude
  • motivation
  • initiative
  • dynamic energy
  • responsibility
  • ability to give good customer service
  • capacity to learn
  • productivity
  • flexibility
  • leadership
  • team work
  • ability to tolerate pressure
  • analytical ability
  • desire to develop professionally

things they can judge you on when they talk with you one-to-one and are reviewing your application/resume that is in front of them:

  • oral communication - speaks clearly with precision and accuracy
  • written communication-precise, accurate, grammatically correct
  • intellectual ability - aptitude for nursing
  • leadership - takes initiative and motivates others
  • ethics - honest, integrity, ethical behavior
  • empathy - considerate sensitive and tactful in response to others
  • reliability - dependable, responsible, prompt and thorough
  • judgment - displays critical thinking skills, common sense and decisiveness
  • interpersonal relations - able to get along well with peers and superior
  • adaptability - reacts well to stress, posed and controlled
  • professional appearance - maintains good personal hygiene, appropriate attire, well-groomed

when i was driving to my chemotherapy yesterday morning, i heard bill handle on kfi radio out here in los angeles giving a great deal of information about the video resume--something newer in the job application field. it is primarily used by people who are applying for jobs in the graphics and videography fields since they can exhibit their skill by putting their qualifications on a video. however, he was making it sound like this could end up being a thing of the future for many job applications. i really can't see this happening in nursing, but one never knows.

good luck with your Job Search!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

consider asking if you can shadow a nurse for 4-8hrs.

i always ask about the "culture" on the unit. don't always take the answer at face-value, but it can give important information anyway.

i also usually ask about the professional relationship between the docs and the nurses.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Another similar thread, specific to the ER though:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/what-do-i-ask-my-interviewer-er-215405.html

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

So far I've only interviewed for psych GN positions, but here are some questions relevant to psych that I found especially helpful when comparing units:

How involved are the nurses with the patients (ie. how much time do they spend in the nurse's station)?

What kind of safety plan do you have/how safe is the unit?

Have you hired new grads in the past?

What/how will I retain my med surg skills on this floor?

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