Good Questions to ask a Prospective Employer?

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I am just curious to know what are some good questions to ask a prospective employer? The main reason being: not getting into a bad job like I hear about so much on this site.

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No employer is going to admit to a prospective employee that they are a bad place to work. If they mention any negatives at all, they will downplay them or give some kind of predetermined "excuse". The way to find out how a place really is would be to find employees to interview and to visit the place, preferably when management isn't around.

One question to ask is about employee turnover. If you are responding to a job listing, ask why the previous employee left. Although compensation and benefits are usually topics for the end of the interview, make certain that you don't forget to ask or you may find yourself unpleasantly surprised should you accept a job offer.

One of the better giveaway questions, is patient to nurse ratio and nursing assistant to patient ratio. If you are being interviewed for a day shift position, will you be assigned to ten patients or 20? or 5? How many CNAs will you have to help get patient care done? One CNA for 22 patients? Or one CNA for 6? Places that are short handed usually are that way because of something inherently wrong with the employer. Good employers have people beating down the doors trying to get jobs there.

Also ask about employee training opportunities. Do they want you to get ACLS certified on your own dime? Or will you be expected to hit the floor running with only 3 days orientation with 6 different mentors? Or whoever is available to ask a question is your mentor for the moment? Perk your ears and eyes when you are given a tour of the facility. Sometimes you can pick up on the atmosphere because people are not careful about what they say in front of others. You can see if the nurse on duty looks like she wants to run out the back door. There are many other questions and things to look for that others will elaborate on. Good luck in your job hunt.

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If they say "We usually try to have X number of nurses per pt" That translates to "We never have X number of nurses per pt."

I find a more trustworthy response is "Our nurse to pt ratio is x to x."

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If they say "We usually try to have X number of nurses per pt" That translates to "We never have X number of nurses per pt."

I find a more trustworthy response is "Our nurse to pt ratio is x to x."

What a good example of how to "read between the lines"!!!

My piece of advice is to listen as much to what they DON'T say in the interview as much as to what they DO.

Every employer is going to play up the positives. While they may not out and out lie to you about the negatives, they may definitely omit talking about them.

What information does the person interviewing you offer freely?

What information do you have to dig for?

Good luck!

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I am just curious to know what are some good questions to ask a prospective employer? The main reason being: not getting into a bad job like I hear about so much on this site.

I think it's a good idea to know if there is a CNO in charge of the nursing dept. or if a MD or other professional is in charge. But beyond that you should expect that a recruiter may/may not be blowing smoke up your rear.

find out about mandatory OT in your area

union or nonunion (maybe better to find this out in advance)?

magnet status?

clinical ladder?

opportunities to advance education (e.g., return to school to earn a MSN and get some tuition reimbursement)

length of orientation

teaching hospital (dealing with residents)

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Ask if you can shadow a nurse for a shift. Try before you buy.

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Ask if you can shadow a nurse for a shift. Try before you buy.

Great advice. Also, ask if you will consistantly have the same preceptor throughout your orientation, and if the person has had preceptor training.

Also, if the NM says "Our goal is to have no more than x pts per nurse" that means "We always have more than x pts per nurse."

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Listen for how many times you hear the word "excellent" :stone

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

why is the position available???

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During the interview: About how many years of experience does the average nurse on this floor have?

Or ask around if you shadow.

If everyone has

Besides, if you're a new grad you want experienced nurses around to train you and help you out.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/ ICU.

For me I would ask about scheduling issues...Some places have self scheduling, others it's whenever they will fit you in the schedule, especially as a new nurse. Good luck

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During the interview: About how many years of experience does the average nurse on this floor have?

Or ask around if you shadow.

If everyone has

Besides, if you're a new grad you want experienced nurses around to train you and help you out.

Great point. A 'young' staff can mean a revolving door.
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