Interview

[Repat]

Hello, all my favorite experts!! I have been a nurse for a very long time (longer than I care to admit). I have always worked in hospitals. I have an interview at a local LTC this week. What kinds of questions do I need to ask? What should I look for when I am touring the facility? This facility just got an A+ rating from a local magazine that runs a column every month rating local LTCs, so I am hopeful. What kinds of duties will be expected of me (I am an RN)? As always, I really appreciate your help!! :)

[donmomofnine]

I would look up their quality measures and quality indicators, as well as survey results on the internet. These are available on your state DOH website and CMS (medicare) site. Then, if there is any area that concerns you (unusually high number of wounds, for example) ask about that! It doesn't mean that they don't take good care of their residents, they could be so good at healing wounds that many residents get referred there to heal!

Ask about staffing ratios. How many nurses and nursing assistants scheduled on each shift and how many residents live there? Do they use much agency staff?

As far as duties, usually an RN is responsible for medications and documentation on a certain number of residents. Some facilities also have the primary nurse doing treatments as well. An RN could also oversee and manage a unit, and then the duties would be more like making rounds with doctors, faxing and phone orders and general oversight of the unit.

Ask for a job description and task list as well. Good luck!:)

[Repat]

Thank you! I don't even know where to begin, and your ideas are great. I will do some research.

[donmomofnine]

When you get done with your interview, let us know and we can give our opinions! :)