Ideal Nursing Position... What should I look for....

[weirdRN, RN]

I have decided to begin looking for a new nursing position. I want to be smarter this time about getting a nursing job.

Last time I based it on convienence and family situation along with familiarity.

This time, I would like a position regardless of the hours that offers the following:

1. A positive, non-toxic work environment. (Read: not every one is burnt out and crabby all the time)

2. A reasonable patient caseload. I want to be able to have a conversation and find out more than just my patient's CVS and how they take their pills.

3. I want a mentor, or more experienced nurse who is willing to take me under her wing and help me do a better job of caring for the patients that are on our floor. Someone willing to criticize gently, not with a sledge hammer.

4. I want a supervisor and upper administration who understand that nursing isn't just about the bottom line and how many acutely ill pateints we can stuff in the beds.

5. I do not want to be called on my every day off to fill in or pick-up. I want a reasonable schedule that is predictable and balanced.

6. I want camraderie. If we can't be friends, I would like for us to be at least be civil and Non-backstabbing.

Those are my biggest complaints about my current job, and the things I think I should look for in my next job. Does anyone have any tips on how to tell the difference between the good and the bad? Everyone always seems nice when you are brand new, or interviewing, then all the dirt creeps out after you are hired.

Also what kinds of things should I expect to be asked during my interview? I have only had two interviews as I took this current job after having been an LPN during school here.

All replies are appreciated.

Thanks,

Kristie

[TooterIA]

Is there any way you can look for jobs by word of mouth? I dont think you will be able to tell many of the things like if the work environment is non toxic unless you have someone on the inside telling you. I would ask what turnover rate is and if you can switch to another department if the current one isnt a good fit for you.

Jessica

[RN007]

Excellent advice, Jessica. That's exactly what I'm doing. I am job seeking (will graduate in May as RN) and have narrowed my desire to two positions. (I already know I do not want to work the floors where I did clinicals.) The psych unit I'm interested in has a great reputation in the outside world and the nurses who work there love it. I'm also interested in oncology at another hospital. I've talked to nurses at all area facilities, plus an oncologist friend. He gave it to me straight, which helped me to choose. Good luck!