Interviewing-- What should I ask?

pie123 · Jul 12, 2005

Hi all,
I'm beginning to get some calls on my new grad apps and am trying to put my stuff together. I was talking to a unit manager the other day on the phone and she was telling about their new grad program. After she was done she asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" I have to admit that I was so excited that someone had called for me that I went blank. I just fumbled and said that I would like to visit the unit then I would have more specific questions.
The problem is... I don't know what I should ask...
this was not an interview... just a set up on the way to the interview. So what sort of things should I ask that would make me sound like I am informed and know what I am doing. I am actually very inexperienced when it comes to getting a job. My last full time job came to me when I got married... it was called housewife!
Thanks!
Sandy :)

We're in the same boat. BUT, in one interview, I had to solve a math problem, explain how to administer medication through a feeding tube, & answer various scenario questions. One classmate was being given a tour of the unit, & the manager grabbed a telemetry strip & asked her to interpret it! I have other classmates who basically were told about the unit that they were applying to, & that was it, then they were offered a job.

Here are some questions that one of my instructors gave to my class, so that we could make more of an informed decision:

(1) How long is the new graduate orientation (6 weeks, 3 months, etc.) & what does it consist of (classtime, floor time).

(2) If I feel I need more orientation, will it be granted?

(3) What is the nurse-to-patient on the unit?

(4) Does the unit have self-scheduling, or is it dictated?

(5) How soon does a new grad have to float to other units, if needed?

(6) What is the mix of staff on the unit (LPN's, RN's, CNA's)?

Once you have the job offer (& ONLY then):

(1) What is the salary?

(2) Is special compensation given for overtime? Is there shift differential & differential for weekends?

(3) Is there a sign-on bonus, & if so, does a contract to work come along with the bonus. For instance, where I live, a lot of the hospitals are giving sign-on bonuses, but in return, the nurse has to contract to work for that hospital for a specified time period, say 1 or 2 years. There's also a hospital that does not give sign-on bonuses, but they provide a 3 month orientation of class time & floor time for its Med. Surg nurses. This course is VERY expensive, so the nurse must contract to work for the hospital for AT LEAST 2 year.

I have a long list of questions from this instructor, unfortunately, I have misplaced them. When/if I find them, I will post them here. Good luck.

pie123 · Jul 12, 2005

Hi all,
I'm beginning to get some calls on my new grad apps and am trying to put my stuff together. I was talking to a unit manager the other day on the phone and she was telling about their new grad program. After she was done she asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" I have to admit that I was so excited that someone had called for me that I went blank. I just fumbled and said that I would like to visit the unit then I would have more specific questions.
The problem is... I don't know what I should ask...
this was not an interview... just a set up on the way to the interview. So what sort of things should I ask that would make me sound like I am informed and know what I am doing. I am actually very inexperienced when it comes to getting a job. My last full time job came to me when I got married... it was called housewife!
Thanks!
Sandy :)

YES!!! I just found that list of questions from my former instructor. I had been looking for them for myself also! I am getting ready to send them to you via private message on this site. Later.

Nurse2bSandy · Jul 12, 2005

These really help! I have to take a meds test before they will interview me... and I was emailed a study guide... it was about 9 pages!

Your questions are just what I wanted. I'm so glad that I didn't ask about pay... I was wondering if that's what she wanted me to ask.

Good luck to you... do you have a job? Any interviews?

Thanks again! Sandy :)

babynursewannab · Jul 12, 2005

You can also feel free to ask about rates of attrition on the unit you are interested in...including why they left. I did and all of the managers I spoke with were happy to let me know. That way I was prepared for watching people come and go when it has happened.

Tiny1Nisolet · Jul 12, 2005

YES!!! I just found that list of questions from my former instructor. I had been looking for them for myself also! I am getting ready to send them to you via private message on this site. Later.

Oh, would you mind sending those to me too? Thanks so much. ~Tiny1

medicrnohio, RN · Jul 12, 2005

Can I get that list of questions too? I have an interview Friday and they'd be very helpful. Thanks.

pie123 · Jul 13, 2005

Oh, would you mind sending those to me too? Thanks so much. ~Tiny1

Sorry! I just read the post just now. I am going to post the questions for everyone (some are questions, & some are just FYI for nurses):

(1) How long is the orientation period?

(2) Do staff work 8 or 12 hour shifts (better to work 5 days/week for 8

hours/day during orientation).

(3) What is the nurse-to-patient ratio on the unit?

(4) What diagnosis is the unit known for treating?

(5) If I choose a specialty area, will they train me? How soon is training

available? If training is provided, is there a contract? If the contract is

broken, how is that handled?

(6) What certification is needed to work on the unit (PASL, ACLS, etc.)?

(7) What staffing patterns are available? Primarily RN or some LPN/LVN's. Are

the RN's 2 or 4 year RN's (I really have no idea of why this is relevant)

(8) Can PTO be rolled over & saved?

(9) Is there a true preceptor on the unit, one who has been 'trained' for

precepting?

(10) Can orientation be extended?

(11) What kind of education courses are provided, & if classes mandate that

you work on the unit, will the hospital pay for them?

(12) During the 90 day period, the hospital can get rid of you, but can you

get rid of them?

(13) If management says they will move you to your specified unit, get it in

writing. Ex: "We do not have any L&D positions available right now, but

I can put you in Postpartum until an L&D position becomes available."

Get this in writing.

(14) What is the floating policy? How soon is a new grad floated to another

unit of the hospital?

(15) What kinds of ancillary staff are available? Such as wound care nurse,

IV team, etc.

(16) What kind of documentation does the unit have? Such as computer

charting, paper charting.

(17) Read the Policy & Procedure manual.

(18) Does the unit have a patient acuity?

(19) Is the unit secretary incorporated into the staff (do they take patients

also, maybe in the role of a nurse's aide). I have NEVER heard of this, at

my former hospital, the unit secretary was WAY too busy to be able to

do this!

(20) What kind of communicating system (i.e., cell phone, pager) is available

so that the nurse is not taken from the patient's bedside, especially in

an emergency situation, when the nurse needs to remain with the

patient.

(21) Does the unit provide PDA's?

(22) Download the Nurse Practice Act so that you are aware of your scope

of practice.

(23) Once report is taken on patient, you have assumed care, NEVER

abandon your patients, this can have legal implications against you.

(24) Can sign-on bonuses be given to new graduates?

(25) Nursing supplies are tax deductible; nursing conferences are tax

deductible.

(26) If you are planning to go to ER, find out how many visits per month

(from patients) the ER gets.

Good luck to everyone! Here is a website specifically for nursing interviews. Go to http://www.monster.com. Click on career advice, then click on Job Search Basics on the right. Next click on Interview Center, then scroll down on the left & click on Healthcare. Under Healthcare Resources, click on Resume/Interviewing Tips. Next, scroll down, & you will see Nurse Interview Questions, click on this. I am sorry this is so tedious. I tried to just post that particular part here, but a different site kept coming up. If anyone knows how to simply post this area, please do so, so that others do not have to go through all of these steps. This site is awesome & gives tips on how to answer questions such as when the interviewer asks, "Tell me about yourself", "What are your strengths/weaknesses." When I find it, I will post it here.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 13, 2005

Hi all,
I'm beginning to get some calls on my new grad apps and am trying to put my stuff together. I was talking to a unit manager the other day on the phone and she was telling about their new grad program. After she was done she asked, "Do you have any questions for me?" I have to admit that I was so excited that someone had called for me that I went blank. I just fumbled and said that I would like to visit the unit then I would have more specific questions.
The problem is... I don't know what I should ask...
this was not an interview... just a set up on the way to the interview. So what sort of things should I ask that would make me sound like I am informed and know what I am doing. I am actually very inexperienced when it comes to getting a job. My last full time job came to me when I got married... it was called housewife!
Thanks!
Sandy :)

I took an interviewing class a few moths ago and they suggest you research the co. you are going to interview, and when you get there have a small note book and pen to write down important info.

Also, you should not ask about benefits etc.

They may ask you why you chose to apply there, so be prepared.

Good luck to you. :)

Nurse2bSandy · Jul 13, 2005

I feel so much more prepared to go to the meeting... not only at this hospital, but any hospital that I go to.

I was planning on taking a notepad... if for no other reason than to look like I knew what I was doing...

Monday NCLEX.... eeewww! :uhoh3:

Thanks all!

Sandy

Loubell RN 2B · Jul 14, 2005

I had an interview before we left and I think that I mentioned it was like a round table session where there were five people tossing questions at me. Mostly scenario questions. However, I just decided to do an interview with another hospital to give me some options and they just brought me in and told me about the position and asked if I had any questions. I did see some of the questions I asked posted previously but it just amazes me how different interviews can be...

Well anyway, good luck with the NCLEX, I am sure that you will do great...

Take care, Lynda

pie123 · Jul 14, 2005

I had an interview before we left and I think that I mentioned it was like a round table session where there were five people tossing questions at me. Mostly scenario questions. However, I just decided to do an interview with another hospital to give me some options and they just brought me in and told me about the position and asked if I had any questions. I did see some of the questions I asked posted previously but it just amazes me how different interviews can be...
Well anyway, good luck with the NCLEX, I am sure that you will do great...
Take care, Lynda[/QUOT
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