Interview questions

Nunya, BSN · Feb 12, 2021

My last job was offered to me by HR not the nurse manager; they actually called the day I interviewed but I missed it. So when I got back to them on Monday they gave me all the particulars about pay, shift times etc. All I said was that I was very interested and everything sounded good but I did already have an interview lined up for that Friday and could I let them know after that? They were very gracious about it, obviously I wasn't the only one who did that. I would say no more than a week though because they want to get moving to fill the position. You can either be specific and say you have two more interviews that week or just say you have more interviews and when do they need an answer by? And yes, they're used to people changing their minds and initially saying yes and then no but that might get you a reputation if you're in a small community.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Feb 12, 2021

13 hours ago, 2021NEgrad said:

As experienced nurses, what advice would you offer a new grad on what questions to ask during an interview?

How long will orientation be, AND is there room to extend it by a week or two if you need it? If you're going into a new grad residency, ask what the requirements are and about how much time you will attend on it outside of your regular shifts. What kind of clinical ladder programs are there and what would you work on to get to each level?

I also ask these couple of questions and get some pretty illuminating answers: 1) What is the biggest challenge facing the unit right now?, and 2) If you do choose me to be part of your team, what will I be doing a year from now that shows you I was the right choice?

13 hours ago, 2021NEgrad said:

What is a proper way to "defer/think about" an offered job until interviews with other hospitals are complete, and for how long is "thinking about it" acceptable? I don't want to seem full of myself, but I also want to hear out other facilities (rather than automatically accepting the first job offered)

A week or less. I don't know if you get to have any share time on the units you're interviewing at, but I know share time has eliminated some choices for me and I've been able to answer sooner than I thought. Definitely let yourself learn about other jobs that you already have interviews set up for, but I wouldn't push it longer than a week.

Davey Do · Feb 12, 2021

2 minutes ago, NightNerd said:

A week or less.

Agreed.

And learned this is a good time frame from empirical knowledge.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Feb 12, 2021

I just realized I didn't actually answer your question. ? As far as what to say, I would just thank them and say I will take a few days to consider the offer; is okay if I get back to you by (date no more than a week later)? I don't typically volunteer that I have other interviews scheduled, but if they ask I'm honest about it. They understand you've probably looked at a few other positions; you just want to convey your continued interest in THEIR open position and not look like you're trying to take advantage.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Feb 12, 2021

Nightnerd gave you some excellent questions to consider for the interview. I would probably ask about nursing turnover, with the understanding that the past year has lead to some new situations for everyone. If the unit is involved with COVID care, I might ask how their PPE requirements have changed over the course of the pandemic and whether they have had access with appropriate supply.

As already pointed out, the importance of a solid orientation cannot be stressed enough for new grads! Getting as much information about the orientation process, what education experiences you will have off the floor, how much support is built into new grads starting out, how many recent nurse residents have chosen to remain with the hospital after their residency?

And I agree that one week is reasonable, in most cases, to consider an offer. It is much trickier in practice than in theory to entertain more than one offer simultaneously. You might have to pass up an offer if you anticipate another for a more desirable job, but there's always the chance you could end up losing out in the end. Good luck!