Some good questions for nurses to ask potential employers in interview process:

[SmilingBluEyes]

In light of recent questions about appropriate and critical staffing in OB, I found this information of value. This, from the Texas Nurses' Association, is a great resource of questions you may wish to ask your potential employer regarding staffing, prior to accepting employment at a given unit:

Questions About Staffing that Registered Nurses Should Consider Before Accepting Employment

Developed by the Texas Nurses Association Registered Nurse Staffing Task Force

Who is the director of nursing and what authority does she/he have over facility staffing?

Who controls the staffing budget?

Is the level of staffing an active and ongoing discussion in your facility and do staff nurses have input?

What is the mechanism for staff nurse input into the staffing plans and how often is staffing input gained from staff nurses?

How do ratios in your facility compare to professional organization recommendations (examples: AWHONN and ACCN)?

What is the philosophy behind staff mix designations in the facility?

What is the frequency of floating to other nursing units?

How are nurses who are floated in the facility cross-trained?

What are the criteria used by the facility in determining competency of cross-trained staff?

What resources does the facility utilize to supplement staff during peak census?

If concerns arise about the adequacy of staffing where and to who is it appropriate to voice concerns?

How is overtime, on call time, and cancellation of regularly scheduled shifts handled on the units?

What is the content and length of orientation for new employees?

What is your turnover rate and what is the average longevity of staff?

What opportunities for advancement exist in the organization, clinical ladders or other system of recognition?

Where does the facility expect discussions about staffing or any practice issue to take place?

from: Questions About Staffing that Registered Nurses Should Consider Before Accepting Employment

[GingerSue]

If concerns arise about the adequacy of staffing where and to who is it appropriate to voice concerns?

just wanted to add:

how is adequate staffing arranged when it is a holiday, such as Christmas day, if most of the staff phone in sick, leaving only one person who showed up to try to do the work? Who is she/he to contact in order to find replacements when it is a holiday?