what to ask during an interwiew

heavensent88_RN · Apr 12, 2009

what is typical work week in this area?...:typing

overtimes...

86toronado, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2009

Try not to make all your questions about pay and benefits (even though that's what we really want to know!) Good things to ask about are things like:

-Average years of experience for nurses on the floor you will be working on?

-How many are certified in that specialty?

-How long is orientation on average?

-What support systems are in place such as clinical nurse educators, IV nurses, WOCN, etc. especially on off shifts, since that is what you will probably start out on?

mnf626 · Apr 12, 2009

I also found that the nurse managers that I interviewed thought it was really good when I asked where they got their start/what type of specialty they started in and why? How about computerized charting too...and expectations for nurses to join a committee?

Music in My Heart · Apr 12, 2009

I'm still a nursing student so I could be wrong on this but in my former profession (technology) it was understood that one never asked about things like pay, benefits, or vacation in an interview. Benefits and vacation can often be found on an HR website or with a phone call to them. Salary isn't to be broached until either (a) they broach it, or (b) they extend an offer. Maybe nurses do it differently, though.

Heloisea3 · Apr 12, 2009

I'm still a nursing student so I could be wrong on this but in my former profession (technology) it was understood that one never asked about things like pay, benefits, or vacation in an interview. Benefits and vacation can often be found on an HR website or with a phone call to them. Salary isn't to be broached until either (a) they broach it, or (b) they extend an offer. Maybe nurses do it differently, though.

I agree. I have always been taught that those are not the type of questions you ask during an initial interview. It makes it sound like your interest is all about the compensation and not the company. Of course those are important considerations, but I would ask HR about that and not the nurse manager. You might want to ask:

What type of support systems are in place for the nurses?

Could you describe the internship program that you have here? What are the hours, expectations, etc.?

What is the management style on this unit?

What do they do to encourage/provide for professional development?

How would you describe the team work on this unit?

If I talked to the nurses who have been here for a long time, what would they say are the best things and the worst things about this unit? (I asked this and got a great response from it. I got the idea from a book on what questions to ask during an interview.)

What kind of opportunities are available for the nurses to serve on committees, etc. (I would end with a question like this because it shows that you want to be a team player and participate in unit activities.)

Anyway, this is just my two cents worth. :twocents:

Music in My Heart · Apr 12, 2009

Another good line of questioning pertains to what kinds of professional development resources are available. Do they provide in-house CE classes? Do they subsidize things like ACLS, PALS, etc?

june2009 · Apr 13, 2009

Thanks guys! Keep'em comming!

joannep · Apr 13, 2009

I know that generally you are not meant to ask about pay and benefits, but I have found myself nearly accepting jobs that actually pay a lower rate than the one I was leaving (thinking I was going to a better paying one) and where my vacation leave was less. So, these days if I get offered a job, I always ask what the pay rate is and about vacation leave etc, but I never ask at interview.

elkpark · Apr 13, 2009

If I talked to the nurses who have been here for a long time, what would they say are the best things and the worst things about this unit? (I asked this and got a great response from it. I got the idea from a book on what questions to ask during an interview.)

It is perfectly reasonable to ASK to speak (privately!) to some of the staff nurses on the unit for which you're interviewing. I have done this many times over the years, and that's how you find out what really goes on in a workplace. I usually ask to speak to someone who's been there a long time and the most recent new hire. I would also recommend that a new grad ask to speak to the most recent new grad hire, regardless of how long that person has been there.

If a NM or other administrator is reluctant to let you speak privately with nurses who already work there, that is a big red flag (to me) that there is something they don't want you to find out and you probably don't want to work there ...

earthcrosser · Apr 13, 2009

-Career advancement/career ladders

-Certification - is it something they offer assistance with on the unit/valued on the unit?

-What kinds of education classes are offered through the unit (including CPR renewal)?

-What areas will you be cross-trained to/floated to?

-Is education advancement supported by the managers/educators/unit?

Don't ask about the pay, benefits, tuition assistance, or vacation time. You will begin to learn these things when you get an offer extended - plus many interviewers tend to not like those people who are very forward about asking those types of questions. It's important to know pay rates and all that good stuff, but don't bring it up. If they do, awesome - if not, HR/management will bring it up when an offer is extended.

Remember to mail out thank you notes as soon as possible after the interview!

yetanotheramanda · Apr 13, 2009

-do you hire a lot of new grads?

-will I have 1 preceptor or more than 1?

-how long is the orientation/preceptorship?

-do your preceptors have a lot of experience?

-is call time required?

-what happens if a new grad does not pass NCLEX the first time?