Common interview questions for LTC/rehab nurse?

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I have an interview tomorrow for a LTC/rehab nurse job. What are some common questions they might ask me that I can prepare for?

I've already prepared a few below:

- Why do you want to work here?

- Why did you want to be a nurse?

- Why did you leave your last job?

- Why are you an outstanding candidate for this position?

- What does quality patient care mean to you?

- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

- Why do you want to work part-time?

This will be my first in person interview for a nursing job. What are some other questions I can expect? Are any of these questions unlikely (so I don't waste time on them)?

I also plan to ask them some questions at the end of the interview:

- What would my orientation be like?

- What is the average nurse to patient ratio here? ---> (btw, what's a good ratio for LTC?)

- What advice would you give to a newer nurse like me to succeed?

 

Thank you for any advice!!

 

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Specializes in school nurse.

To be honest, I've heard a lot of LTC hiring stories that lead me to believe that they'll mostly want to verify that you have a pulse.

If you go the LTC route, be prepared to take ownership of your own professional development as many of those facilities are infamous for throwing folks right into the deep end.

Most nurses do say that it gets better with time.

If you search out "new grad", "LTC" you'll find quite a few threads dealing with your questions on AN.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

There are plenty of threads in the forums about this. Some questions I have gotten included:

Describe your best/worst day at work (which left me with deer in the headlight eyes, how to answer without throwing anyone under the bus).

Talk about a conflict you had, and what was done to resolve it.

What would you do if (some ethical situation).

General clinical questions - (your patient is dizzy, their blood pressure is low- not sure what clinical questions for LTC since I always worked in a hospital).

The patient population will likely include some patients with dementia, so perhaps asking about experience you have with that.

Why do you want to work for that particular position (I'd read their mission statement or similar info to help formulate that answer).

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Good luck with your interview, LTC can be a very rewarding and sometimes challenging work environment. I think you have a very good grasp on the interview process and some potential questions.

When I worked in LTC we had four main wings, the two upstairs were straight LTC with two 30 resident assignments per nurse. Usually 2-5 CNAs per side. We had a long term dementia unit with 37 beds and a short term rehab wing with 30 beds. On each of those units there was a charge nurse 24/7 and a medication nurse for six hours in the morning/afternoon (9-3) and four hours in the evening (5-9). So they are some large assignments.

LTC nurses get a bad reputation sometimes on this forum, depending on the poster. Don't let anyone tell you that you're less of a nurse if you work in LTC. The patients in those facilities need you just as much as a patient in the hospital needs a med/surg nurse, or dialysis patients need their dialysis nurse. You do need your assessment skills, or time management skills and your communication skills in the long term care environment. The nurses and CNAs are vital to the health of these residents that are only seen by a doctor once a month, unless something goes wrong. So your assessment may be the thing that detects a patient's new onset illness or change in condition. 

It can be a very good place to work, I hope you have a successful interview and enjoy your new career!

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Specializes in school nurse.
On 1/31/2021 at 3:11 PM, JBMmom said:

LTC nurses get a bad reputation sometimes on this forum, depending on the poster. Don't let anyone tell you that you're less of a nurse if you work in LTC.

My take away has often been LTC facilities and the way that they treat nurses get a bad reputation, and often one that's been well-earned...

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
1 hour ago, Jedrnurse said:

My take away has often been LTC facilities and the way that they treat nurses get a bad reputation, and often one that's been well-earned...

100%! The poor staffing and treatment of staff is portrayed spot on in many cases. My reference was that I have read many people post that nurses will "lose their skills" in long term care, and I think that absolutely incorrect. 

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