Can someone please help me?

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 11, 2007

I'll answer what I can, since it looks like no one else is. Much of what you ask varies from facility to facility, union vs. non-union shop, state to state.

I have been working on a mock interview all week and it is based on the degree that I have chosen, (Nursing). So far I have the employer questions and answers, now I have come to the part where I the employee ask questions. I've been waiting for a hospital staff member to call me back, unfortunately, she has not done so. Since the majority of nurses here work in a hospital and have been through an interview similar to this, I thought someone would know there hospital good enough to answer the questions. I need this completed tonight so I can focus on my test for Tuesday. Can anyone help me by answering the following questions. I know it is a lot, but it would help me out tremendously. Here are the questions if anyone can help:
What support is available such as (Iv team, code team, EKG tech, etc)? A: Varies. I've worked hospitals where I did it all, others where a team will do it if its not "stat;" of course that doesn't apply to "code teams!"
What does orientation include and how long is it? A: My average has been 2 wks as an experienced RN; I believe it was 6 wks as a new grad. Usually, you "shadow" your preceptor for "x" amount of time, then you perform procedures on a "checklist."
Will I receive full salary during orientation? A: I always have.
Where are new graduates often assigned? A: I've only seen med/surg, but I've heard of it being just about anywhere.
How much individual responsibility or autonomy do nurses have on nursing procedures? A: Depends on your state Nurse Practice Act and the Policies and Procedures of your facility/unit. If it is within your scope of practice, and within P&P, you should be trained in it and supervised till all are satisfied in your competance. If you undertake something, it is your responsibility.
Do nurses have 8, 10, 12 hour accountability? A: You are accountable for what you have done until the statute of limitation expires. Consult an attorney! Also, your state's Nurse Practice Act should be consulted for what constitues "abandonment."
Is there financial compensation available for the NCLEX application or NCLEX review? A: Wasn't for me, but that was... er, ah, a long time ago. Not where I last worked.
Is there a career ladder? What is the pay difference at each step? A: Almost always. Usually goes something like this: nurse extern, interim permittee, Clinical Nurse I, II, III, IV; then management of some sort or Certified Nurse Specialist, etc. Pay difference? Again, by region, union contract, etc.
Is there a nursing library? A: Again, depends. Was a "medical library" in most of the places I've worked that had literature related to nursing practice. Last place I worked, no.
How many weekends a month do most nurses work? A: Two.
What measurments are taken when a unit is short-staffed? A: Depends wildly on facility, union contract, hospital size, etc. Last job, when I was the noc sup., I'd desperately try to call in staff during the busiest part of my shift... usually to no avail, then pass on the problem to the ADON when she came in; no use of registry allowed, no matter what. Sometimes the ADON had to work a unit. Most hospitals now have "float pools," and per diems they can call in. If the facility is large enough, you should have someone in before too long.

Good luck!

SaderNurse05, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

I can't help because I don't work in a hospital. I think you have some good answers here. It will be different depending on the facility, and I dare say it will be different in reality than what they tell you in the interview. :idea:Good Luck!

cyberdot · Oct 12, 2007

{Do nurses have 8, 10, 12 hour accountability? A: You are accountable for what you have done until the statute of limitation expires. Consult an attorney! Also, your state's Nurse Practice Act should be consulted for what constitues "abandonment."}

In the above, underlined sentence, what is usually the norm for the statute of limitation? I know it varies with facility, but I need a number.

Thanks Yosemite for helping me out.