What questions should I ask during my job interview?

Just a couple off the top of my head:

- Is there an orientation period or preceptor program?

- What are the typical patient:nurse ratios?

First year is stressful -I am about to start it myself, and I have read the hundreds of posts on threads that describe this.

I had 3 interviews this week myself.

I found some helpful ideas for interview questions. What is the nurse turn over rate? AND How long has the person been a manager of the unit? And if it is short term, how many prior?

I heard that alot of management turnover is a sign of a troublesome unit, that you may want to stay away from.

Best wishes

I would ask what the nurse to pt ratio is, what is their perspective on mandatory overtime, how is staffing determined (a matrix, by acuity), how long will your preceptorship be and will you be assigned to 1-2 nurses for this period of time.

I would ask about:
*orientation (how much/with who)
*turnover
*how many regular staff versus travelers/registry (lots of travelers and registry is often a sign of high turnover)
*ask for a copy of job description
*any additional certifications required for that unit? (ACLS, PALS, etc.)
*scheduling (self scheduling or scheduled by manager?)
*staffing matrix for various shifts...ask about RN to pt ratio but also ask about whether there will be a unit secretary, charge nurse...does charge take an assignment?...how many CNAs, LVNs...if LVNs present, how many pts would you have to be responsible for as an RN?
*What type of charting (paper/computerized, etc?)
*Do they hold regular unit/staff meetings?
*ask for a tour of the unit (will give you a feel for the energy & layout of the unit)
*floating (ask what their policy is on that...as a new nurse when would you be required to float to other units & to which units)
*do they offer shift differential (extra pay for pm or noc shift)

Good luck!

Kona2

Those were really good questions. A good list for people job seeking to hang on to.