New Grads, What Do You Expect

Published

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I was a new grad once back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. I am about to start a week of interviews with new grads to fill my empty shifts and I'd like to ask you newbies what it is you expect when you go for an interview.

Of course there is the obligatory application and med test along with the tour.

Do you want to hear details of what your day/evening/night will be like?

Do you want the chance to talk to some of the other staff?

Do you think it's odd if you are offered the job on the spot? Since I've been doing this forever, I am a good judge of character and can usually tell within 15 minutes if you will fit in with the staff I already have but if it makes you uncomfortable, I'll wait until tomorrow to call.

What I expect is: you're on time, you have all your licenses with you, and you dress in a professional manner.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

I am not officially a new grad anymore (nurse since 2009) but I was out of nursing from June 2012-May 2013. Here's what happened during my pleasant interview experience. I met with HR first and then I met with the DON. The DON was able to tell me about her staff, what kind of residents to expect and other quirks about the facility. It was a good conversation and she all but offered me the position on the spot. It caught me off-guard, but hearing you say that it's something you do too makes me feel a bit better in retrospect. Details about the shift, differences in acuity of halls (if applicable) and staffing is helpful as well. I also met the QA/nurse educator, which was comforting.

I would have loved to meet some of the staff on my interview day, especially the nurse who became my preceptor if possible, even though I know that's not always practical. Information about orientation, dress code and new staff expectations is key. When will I get my name badge? When will I get an access tag to the building? (In my facility, these are both a few month long processes. I came from a hospital where I got both of those during my orientation.)

I understand that my expectations may be high but my facility has met these expectations, so it's possible. Good luck with the hiring process!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes to details. Yes to meeting other staff. No, don't mind getting hired on spot!!!!I am 5 months into first job at LTC and hired one week after NCLEX. I took a tour that day, met a few staff, and peed...right there in that cup. I was asked questions regarding "what would you do if..." (lots of them)...I expected that. What I hated the most was the DON telling me her life story...and about her grandkids...for 30 minutes. I love people, and outgoing...but that was very ridiculous....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I don't share personal details on an interview either as the interviewer or interviewee. I could, however, talk about my facility for at least 30 minutes without a breath.

I hired someone on the spot today...she came for an interview because whoever answered the phone when she called to ask if we were hiring was very polite and welcoming. I gave her a tour of the whole building.

The new grad I interviewed today...I didn't tour her on the short term floor because they were having a not so good afternoon and I didn't want to add to their stress (or hers) by walking her around.

All I can say is, God bless new grads with all their enthusiasm. I only have 2 spots left to fill and 3 more people to interview!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I hope your other new grads turned out well for you, your interview process might be over but I thought I'd put in my two cents. I was a new grad last December when I walked in for an interview and had an offer within 15 minutes of sitting down. I was a little nervous about the quick offer, made me a little suspicious of the place, but I'm glad I put that aside and accepted because it's worked out well. That being said, there were a few "small" details left out when I was hired. A mandatory on-call weekend every three months where any time between 3pm Friday and 7am Monday, I can be called in if there are two call-outs. I had no idea it even existed until I got a reminder that the next weekend was my weekend "on". Had to change some plans because we were planning to be out of town. No information was given about vacation time, how to earn it, how to request it, etc. I would have loved some time to meet other staff, but now I realize that there's rarely a good time to meet the floor nurses and actually have a conversation. For new grads, an idea of what a typical shift looks like and the responsibilities associated would also be helpful. Because I had another full time job I told them I was only available second shift, and then four "mandatory" day time training sessions came up with very little notice. Fortunately my other non-nursing job was pretty flexible with the time off, but people should be warned well in advance in case they don't have that same flexibility. Things like that would be helpful, and seem like common courtesy to me. Good luck with your candidate search.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment