[bedpan]

Only about 4 weeks before graduation!!!!!

(Which is why I haven't been here in a while - School 5 days a week while working 12 hours a day every Sat. and Sun. has not left me much time!)

I have already visited several hospitals which interest me and have a few interviews lined up - what I hope those of you who have been there can help me with is -

What questions should I ask potential employers? I know not to ask about salary until after I am offered a position, but what other things should I ask about such as nurse-patient ratio, etc?

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

[dphrn]

Something I always like to ask for, if the NM does not offer, is a peer interview. They will pull two nurses off the floor and you can talk with them without the NM in the room. It is your time to ask how they like working at that facility, how they like working for the NM, etc. You can usually tell by their responses how well they like the place. Good luck.

[UK2USA]

It has always been suggested to me that you enquire about any current research proposals / trials etc before interview. Read up on them before interview and mention it as a personal interest. Also ask for further training opportunities within the hospital... this gives the impression that you are going to stay for a longer time. Ask about patient turnover, facilities for staff, social events. You need to impress on the interviewers that you are not just concerned with the rewards that you will receive straight away but rather show them that you are planning to make their institution a part of your life - let them know that you want to play an active part in the development of the social and professional part of work.

[bedpan]

Great ideas! Thank you very much!

[winstonsmom07095]

Originally Posted by UK2USA

It has always been suggested to me that you enquire about any current research proposals / trials etc before interview. Read up on them before interview and mention it as a personal interest. Also ask for further training opportunities within the hospital... this gives the impression that you are going to stay for a longer time. Ask about patient turnover, facilities for staff, social events. You need to impress on the interviewers that you are not just concerned with the rewards that you will receive straight away but rather show them that you are planning to make their institution a part of your life - let them know that you want to play an active part in the development of the social and professional part of work.

Those are great ideas, thank you. They have come at a great time as well. I am planning to relocate within the next few months and have an interview set up with a prospective employer, razzle dazzle them.

[zambezi]

I would also ask about the orientation program, how long, what it includes, what kind of support is offered for new grads. I also asked about staffing rations, what is it like on days, nights, how is the unit staffed etc (well, actually, I didn't ask that because I worked in the unit alot as a student, but I would have if I didn't know the unit).

[llg]

When I interview people applying for a position, I always like to see that they are actually interested in the patients. So, don't forget to ask about the patients, what types of patients, how long they stay, what their needs are, what special challenges they present, what services does the hospital have to meet their needs, etc. I think it is important to show the interviewer that you are interested in that type of patient and that you want to work with the type of patient they have.

You would be surprised how many job candidates forget that sort of thing. They focus only on themselves and seem to forget to ask about the patients and the work itself.

Good luck!
llg