just got an offer!! got many questions though..

[dann023]

I was just offered a night shift RN position on Friday on Med-Surg Respiratory floor.

When the recruiter called me, because I was at work, so the conversation was really short - it was literally "we're offering you a position, I need you to come in next week to go over some paper work and you start on the 27th. Call me on Monday to make an appointment."

I am feeling excited/nervous but also very clueless at the same time with many questions going through my mind... I've worked throughout school but they are just part time position such as office assistant, etc. this is my first "professional job" so I don't really know how do things go about after you got the call say "you go the job!"

sorry for the many questions..been thinking about them all weekend! I really appreciate any answers or advices! thank you so much in advance!!

1. I am not sure if I want to take the position yet because she didn't go over the benefit/pay or anything with me yet - yet she made it sound like I already want the job. So what should I say when I call her on Monday? If I make the appointment with her does that mean I am accepting the job?

2. What questions do people ask or talk about during the meeting with the HR? are there some important questions to ask? Things to say/or not to say?

3. If I accept the offer, because I've been out of school for awhile now -1.3 years - I thought about asking if I could shadow or volunteer to be a CNA on the floor just to familiar myself with the floor, basic patient care before I actually start even just for a shift or two? But I don't know who to ask, and is it even appropriate to make such request? Who should I ask? Or should I make the request after the orientation start?

This hospital only give 4 weeks of one-on-one then you're on your own. My preceptorship rotation (Spring 2011) was in general Ped, so I really haven't be on an adult med surg floor for a LONG time now (Fall 2009). I am worried I won't be able to catch up in just 4 weeks. =/

4. In the interview, when they ask do I prefer day or night shift, I said Both would be fine but day would be better. They had several position open, I guess I got the night! I really regretted my answer - I should've just say Day only!! I had night shift during preceptorship, and I remembered how in the first few shift was fine, but what I forgot during the interview was after a month the night schedule was really starting to mess with my body.. I'm tempted to ask if they have any day position open, but don't know if it'll make me sound bad.. Or is it too late since they already offered the night position? or should I just ask after how long I started working can I request to switch to day and hope to stick through with the night shifts?

[animal1953]

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! :yelclap::w00t: Your first meeting with HR will be to fill out paperwork, U/A (if required) and other administration stuff. You should be told your wage and whether there is an increase after orientation or the normal probationary period and you will get your benefit package info, ID, and stuff. Since you stated both on your preference for day or night. There may not be a day shift opening now, you could ask but it sounds like they've slotted you into a spot already. Take the night shift to get familiar with the working on the floor. Are you a CNA or RN? You didn't state so. I just had my first interview Friday and am waiting to here back myself. Take your time and ask questions with your trainer on the shift and I'm sure everything will go ok.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

1. You'll be able to ask the recruiter some questions before you accept the job. You'll be given a job offer letter (not a contract) that states your position and pay. You've accepted the position when you sign this letter. If you're concerned about a misconception, call the recruiter and say something like, "Thank you for the offer. I'm very interested in the position. What time should I come in to meet with you about the details before I accept?"

2. Pay scale- where you'll start as well as frequency of raises and how the raises are based (performance evaluations or cost-of-living increases or years of hire, etc.) Is there a weekend differential? Night differential? How are holidays and overtime paid?

Benefits- how much do they cost and what is covered? Are there in network and out of network price differences? If you already have a doctor, will you be able to still use them under this insurance plan?

PTO/Vacation time- how do you accrue time off? Are you given a certain amount of vacation time per year or is it all earned PTO/sick time? How quickly do you earn PTO and is there a limit to how much you can have/use at one time?

Probation period- is there a probationary period before your benefits kick in and before you can use PTO? Orientation- how long is it? Will it be on days or nights? Can you get an extra week or two if needed? What continuing education opportunities will you have? Are there nurse educators on the floor that you can use as a resource? Will you need certifications such as ACLS or BLS? Are these paid by the employer?

Pre-employment screening- will you need to provide copies of immunizations? Have a physical? Provide titers? Submit a urine drug screen? Are these done at employee health or by your own doctor?

3. No, it's not really appropriate to request to work as a CNA before you start as an RN. They are hiring you as an RN, and the expectation is that you are prepared to work in that capacity. The time to ask to shadow would be before you accept the position. But once you are an employee and your orientation starts, they will be paying you for your training. However, the first day of orientation you will pretty much be shadowing anyway. If, at the end of your orientation, you don't feel comfortable yet, then you would need to go to your manager and ask for additional time on orientation.

4. You can address the question of your shift when you meet with HR. Tell them that, while you are willing to do nights, your preference is really days and you're wondering if those positions are still available. You did say you would work either nights or days, and since night positions are harder to fill, that's most likely why they are offering you nights. However, since you're just getting back into floor nursing, nights might be the best way to start out, as the shifts tend to be a little calmer and you have some more time to learn and adjust. The question of how you go about requesting day shift is really better addressed to the floor's nurse manager- but keep in mind there may be a waiting list. It's possible that the day positions that were available were filled by nurses who already worked on the floor but wanted to switch to days.

Congratulations and good luck!

[ERnurseM]

Congrats! If you're new to nursing I suggest taking the job bc there aren't that many out there. They will talk about benefits and pay and maybe even some nurse educational stuff. HR usually sets up the start date and orientation process for you. Pretty straight forward. Yes and I agree with previous RN Ashley. You are in the Big leagues now. You can't be shadowing LVN, CNA or techs bc they will not be doing the care that you need to do. Your preceptor should be showing you enough to survive and it's up to you to further your knowledge in the future... Good luck.

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

@ Ashley, thank you for posting your response in such an orderly fashion. I will print it and keep in mind what you suggest for when I start interviewing.

To the O/P, I too have heard that the night shift is much better for new graduates, it tends to be not as crazy and you have time to learn.

I personally do better very early in the morning, I am at my sharpest at 6 am...LOL. If anyone has suggestions how I can start training to tolerate the night shift, please let me and in this case the O/P know.