I went on an interview several days ago and was taken aback by the nurse manager, who swore (not at me of course, but during our conversation), not once, but twice!
One of the interviewers I knew, so I am not sure if that made her to comfortable, or what. It was a little awkward and I totally would not ever expect that to happen, especially during an interview.
I was also a bit put off because when I asked to speak to a staff member the nurse manager stayed in the room, as if the staff member is going to be honest with me with her in the room. Just odd, I figured most managers would pick up on the fact that that was intended as a private interaction so that I could truly elicit if it was a decent place to work!
Overall one of the most awkward interviews I have had, ever!!
But wait, what words did she use, and the context? That would factor into my opinion.
Did she say something like "It's a damn fine department and you'd be hella lucky to work here" or did she say "The position is vacant because the previous nurse was a no-talent assclown mother ******" ?
I'm totally using this in my next round of interviews.
Well, maybe it is just her style and if it makes you uncomfortable you wouldn't be a good fit on the team she is a part of. I was in the service as well as have worked in prison so it takes a lot to make me blush but I can say someone uncomfortable with roughnecks wouldn't be very comfortable in most of the situations we find ourselves in here at work. I interviewed with a major medical center as assistant department administrator (like an A. DON) and the DON cursed in our interview. It made me know she wasn't putting on a show, I took the job and liked it until I took this one. We have mobile hospitals and support disaster relief so a lot of firefighters and working people. It doesn't mean everyone is crass but we have more than our fair share.
Cussing seems to be cultural. My mom, a Texas native and WWII veteran, used cussing in general conversation. She was smart and kind, but this was her style and sense of humor. I can imagine her cussing during an interview. Her children use a little more restraint.
When we moved from East Texas to Western North Carolina I discovered my fellow nurses considered curse words inappropriate. I modified my behavior to suit them but enjoyed finding a few friends who also cussed when it was necessary.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
I wasn't offended by it, as I said I have potty mouth myself, but I just didn't think it was a professional thing to do during an interview.
I was more turned off by the fact that she wouldn't let me speak to a staff member alone, since I feel common sense would dictate that that was my intention when asking to speaking with one!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I wasn't offended by it, as I said I have potty mouth myself, but I just didn't think it was a professional thing to do during an interview.
I was more turned off by the fact that she wouldn't let me speak to a staff member alone, since I feel common sense would dictate that that was my intention when asking to speaking with one!
Annie
Her insistence that you not meet with a staff member alone might indicate an insecure nurse manager, and that is definitely a red flag.
As someone who hypothesizes swearing is an essential coping mechanism, if I were interviewing I might tailor my talk to the interviewee's level of experience as well. A "crusty" can handle it, a shy new grad probably not.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I once sat in on an interview where the manager dropped F-bombs left and right. That's just the way she talked. I was there before she got the management position, but I wonder if I would have taken the job if she'd interviewed me. The interviewee didn't.
I had a manager swear in an interview with me and to this day she's still one of my favorite managers. I was very startled and I didn't know how to react, but I later learned that is how she is and she doesn't change in most environments.
Guest1030015
47 Posts
I'm totally using this in my next round of interviews.