What should I know about potential Job?????

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

After all of my b----ing and moaning and looking for a PCT position I finally got a call yesterday to come in for an interview!

I would really appreciate your advice on what I should ask THEM about the position and facility. I am really eager to get my feet wet so to speak and I want to make sure that I don't just wander into some position without knowing everything I should about it.

It is with a state affiliated nursing home. They offer a training program through which you can become a Certified Nurse's Aide. I'm not sure how long the program lasts but I do know that it is from 7-3 and that for part of that time you are "working" for them as you receive a "part-time" "stipend" from them. The training consists of rotations at not only their facility but also other local hospitals etc. so that you can get the benefit of experiencing Peds, L&D, hospital floor nursing, etc. They will pay for the state to come in and test you to be Certified. After that you owe them at the most a year of working for them as a CNA(not sure on the exact amt. of time yet). I would be hired for the 3-11 shift.

They also offer a "career ladder" program by which they will pay for additional training to become an LPN, RN, etc. I know that I want to continue my education to become an LPN-RN-?? but for right now I am most interested in getting experience and so that I can be sure that nursing is the field for me.

I do not know what the position pays and all though money is important because I am responsible for splitting many bills with my DH I really feel that the experience will be invaluable and I will try my best to work around what will probably be a decrease in pay.

So, what do you think I should ask them as far as their facility and training, etc?

Also, what types of questions might I recieve? I have been on many interviews but none for a position in health care.

Any advice, insights and suggestions will be most welcomed.

Thank you all :kiss

Col

[sunnybrook83]

How much is the stipend during training? What is the time requirement at their facility after training? If you leave before that time required what do you have to pay back? Will you be working only 3-11 or required to rotate shifts? What is the staffing ratio (how many pts will you be responsible for /shift)? How are staffing problems, etc... handled? What are benefits?

What exactly will be your responsibilities ( different facilities allow cna's to do different things)?

Go in to the facility and talk to some of the current CNA's on their lunch break- ask them how they like working there, what problems they see, how the management responds to problems, how they are treated by the nurses? I know you said you have to stay at least a year after training- make sure it's someplace you can live with for a year!

I'm sure some other folks can add to the list.

Good luck on your interview and training!!

( Remember if this one doesn't work out, there are always other places offering the training- they aren't the only short-staffed facility out there!!!)

[adrienurse, LPN]

I have done my share of job hopping in the last few years. One thing I like to ask is how many vacant positions there are on the unit. The number of unfilled positions have a lot to do with the level of morale in the place. The harder people have to work, the less pleasant and more hostile to change they are. Or you can just ask how the morale is. Ask why the the person who had the position your trying to get left. Ask how staff turn over has been. Ask if there have been any recent changes in the way the until is run. These are all very good indicators of how you're going to be treated by co-workers if you get the job. Also, never take the job if it seems they are TOO eager to take you. If they hire you on the spot without looking at your resumé this is a very bad sign.