Bringing up negative press in nursing interivew

[Appleripe]

Hey guys,

I am a new graduate RN and have an interview tomorrow at a private retirement village/hospital. I was doing some research on the organisation and found an article written earlier this year about a complaint about substandard care given to a resident in that resthome and the subsequent investigation/audit. I was wondering whether I should bring this up in the interview tomorrow during questions time and if I should, how do I phrase it? I'm just worried that if I bring it up, it might seem to critical or accusatory or I may come off sounding like I don't want to work there. I was thinking of bringing it up by asking something like "I noticed this article, what has the organisation done to ensure that this does not happen again?" What do you guys think?

ALso any tips at all for a new grad resthome/hospital interview would be appreciated.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am not sure I would bring it up. I would research the facility's mission statement, other information about the facility--and phrase a question "your mission statement states that you xyz, how do you ensure that this happens?" I would also take a good look around when you are touring the facility. Do the residents seem well cared for? Do the nurses seem like there's a lot of stress, little staffing, other glaring issues? Best wishes!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't mention it. If you are truly concerned about working there then don't work there. Nothing can be accomplished by you mentioning bad press about the facility.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Do your own research on the article, come to your own conclusions. All facilities receive negative press. It is not appropriate to ask that question in an interview.. will get you the bum's rush to the door.

For the interview, know the facilities mission statement, be prepared for the question "why do you want to work here"?

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I wouldn;t mention it.

[sourapril]

If you are the interviewer, you can always ask your interviewee about any questionable record. Unfortunately it doesn't work the other way around. You can ask, and I am sure they will down play it if not deny it, but will it do you any good?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Keep in mind that there are three sides to every story, and the press side is often written with the intent to stir up interest and sell copies. This doesn't mean that the story is inaccurate, but that things may be presented in a different light. IMO, for the most accurate information, go to the accrediting/regulatory agency website and read the report(s) for yourself. Also see what the facility is really like during the interview.

I also wouldn't mention the article in the interview...and if you are so concerned about what you read in the article/report, you may want to rethink whether you want to work there in the first place.

Good luck with the interview.