interview ideas

[mbarakhan18]

As a new grauate, what is a good thing to say when the interviewer asks if i have any questions about the hospital?

i was thinking to ask how long the training period is for new nurses, but i need a few more ideas

[mrsboots87]

While asking questions shows interest in the facility, there are no "right" questions to ask. Just what you actually want to know or it will sound like you practiced too hard.

Asking how long the orientation period is is good info to have. What an expected start date would be. Stuff like that.

[Sour Lemon]

Ask them if they're planning on fixing the place up. Tell them it looks "old".

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

You can ask about patient ratios, but know it's unlikely to be true in the ugly sense of the word. Ask about continued educational opportunities and mentorship availability after orientation is complete.

[EP10]

I'm a new grad too. The questions I usually ask are,

"How long is the orientation?"

"What are your goals for the unit and what do you see as the biggest challenge the unit faces?"

"How would you describe the relationships between staff ( nurses, cna's and physicians, etc)"

"What traits make up your ideal nurse?"

I had a nurse manager during an interview compliment me on the great questions, especially the last one.

Best of luck!

[OscarTheOwl]

You can ask about patient ratios, but know it's unlikely to be true in the ugly sense of the word. Ask about continued educational opportunities and mentorship availability after orientation is complete.

Continued education is a great question to ask, I would word it in a way that does not make them think it will cause you to need any extra time off, cause schedule issues etc. Once in an interview I was asked where I see myself in 5 years, I said I hope to be furthering my education to obtain x-degree. They ended the interview quickly after that and I was told later that they worried I would not be a good fit for the unit if in a year or so I planned on returning to school, as it would leave the unit short if I had to attend class.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Continued education is a great question to ask, I would word it in a way that does not make them think it will cause you to need any extra time off, cause schedule issues etc. Once in an interview I was asked where I see myself in 5 years, I said I hope to be furthering my education to obtain x-degree. They ended the interview quickly after that and I was told later that they worried I would not be a good fit for the unit if in a year or so I planned on returning to school, as it would leave the unit short if I had to attend class.

Im talking continuing ed, like CEU's, conferences, and certifications, not going back to school. Units are sick of hiring nurses, getting having them just start becoming truly competent at the bedside about two years later (which really is how long it takes), then having them quit. I suspect that's where you ran into trouble- besides just day to day scheduling.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You should also ask about the patients -- to show that you have an interest in them. The Hiring Manager probably cares about the unit and the patients; so show that you care about them too. He/she is going to want to hire someone who cares about the patients and has a genuine interest in doing that kind of work.

Ask about the common diagnoses, the services that are available for them, whether most have visitors or not, their outcomes, etc. -- things that would be appropriate for the type of unit.

[OscarTheOwl]

Im talking continuing ed, like CEU's, conferences, and certifications, not going back to school. Units are sick of hiring nurses, getting having them just start becoming truly competent at the bedside about two years later (which really is how long it takes), then having them quit. I suspect that's where you ran into trouble- besides just day to day scheduling.

Yep, that's my thought also, they didn't want me to need set days off for school, and up and quit when I earned a higher degree. I don't blame them.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Yep, that's my thought also, they didn't want me to need set days off for school, and up and quit when I earned a higher degree. I don't blame them.

I used to be supervisor for a sleep disorders lab (before nursing school) and was interviewing people for a sleep tech position. One applicant was a newly graduated LPN. I asked her the "Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs.?". I was caught off guard when she said that she wants to pursue further education to be a Nurse Midwife. Her resume went straight in the trash when she left. Why would we put in the time and energy to train you knowing that you will be leaving in a few years?

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Ask about how nurses can get involved in quality improvement, do they have unit based councils, shared governance or similar? How about professional development and clinical ladder to advance? Tuition reimbursement and flexibility if a nurse goes back to school to advance the degree in the future.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Nursing Interview Advice forum.