New job question?

notmanydaysoff · Nov 18, 2011

would it have made any difference to you if you knew what the avg pay rate was in your area? unless the rate was negotiable, i would think not.

it is doubtful that had you asked in your interview what the "starting wages for lpns were," that you would've gotten a valid answer.

i just got a job this wk and i did not ask the pay rate during the interview. i waited for them to tell me. but this is my first real, solid nursing job and i have essentially no experience.

to be quite honest, i was thrilled with the job offer. and even though i am starting out at more than i had anticipated, i would've accepted less!

EasternOhioLPN24 · Nov 19, 2011

Yea true, this is my first real nursing job too. I was willing to go with anything because it seems the jobs down here are scarce as it is. I really don't care what it is as long as its more then 10-11/hr.

pink_shoes99 · Nov 19, 2011

10-11/hr....lol, thats what you make as an lpn around here

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2011

10-11/hr....lol, thats what you make as an lpn around here

That''s sad.... CNAs start off between 11 - 12 an hour by me. LPNs should be paid more, I think they make around 15 to 17 depending on experience. Of course they can make more.

EasternOhioLPN24 · Nov 19, 2011

10-11/hr....lol, thats what you make as an lpn around here

Around where?

VioletKaliLPN, LPN · Nov 19, 2011

i am a new grad lpn from charlotte, nc. grad 8/2011.

i just got a job in a snf, my starting pay is 19.45, full benefits. cna's make 8-10 depending on how long they have been employed as a cna.

jimthorp · Nov 20, 2011

Hello, I just joined this blog today. I am a newly licensed LPN and I just got a job at a Coshocton, Ohio ECF. I was wondering (Cause i forgot to ask in my interview) if there was anyone here who works in this part of ohio what the starting wages for LPNs were in this area. I have recently moved from NW Ohio and was not sure if the pay rate averages were the same in this area? Though I know it largely depends on which facility/company your work for. Thank you! :)

The following comment is not meant to be insulting but is a mere observation.

Interview skills amoung most nurses I have seen are abysmal. It's likely you were never taught how to do a job search or prepare for and participate in an interview and that is just one area nursing schools are failing their students. A job interview is not just for the prospective employer to gain information about you but also for you to learn about the employer and the job you are applying for. How can you decide whether or not to take a job without knowing what your starting wage will be??

notmanydaysoff · Nov 20, 2011

how can you decide whether or not to take a job without knowing what your starting wage will be?

simple! first of all, good lpn/lvn opportunities outside the ltc environment are few and far between where i live. so when i was offered a job in an urgent care center affiliated w/the local hospital, i bit! secondly, it's a half-time position that is benefitted. thirdly, it's exactly the job i wanted and has potential to grow!

i've been actively looking since may. i kept a spread sheet of applications/resumes that i submitted w/details including disposition. i customized each and every letter and resume that went out to avoid it looking like i was sending cookie-cutter paperwork.

in another forum (ambulatory care / specialty section), i posted some of the questions that i reviewed prior to my 2 interviews. i recognize the possibility that for those who focus in on this forum may not tune into specialty forum so i'll repost the answer here in its entirety. hope this is helpful.

________________

i just had a job interview this wk and was offered the position. it was only my second face-to-face nursing interview and i wanted to be sure i nailed it. i checked on allnurses.com and also online for commonly asked questions and interview hints. the following is what i came up with.

i practiced the q/a to myself for days prior, had quick answers, even thought of incidences and stories i could tell if i had to elaborate on an answer.

a pharmacology test was also part of the interview process. i studied for it using saunders nclex review (has a section w/drug calculations. i did them all and sure enuff, they were precisely what was covered on the test).

even if the interviewer does not ask the questions that you have prepared for, sometimes you can direct the interview to where you want to go.

----------------------

nurse interview questions and sample answers

what made you choose nursing as a career?

i wanted to do something in my career that is challenging, interesting, and makes a difference in people's lives on a daily basis

how has your training prepared you for a nursing career?

i believe that nursing is unique in that it is both art and science.

science = technical aspects of nursing, skill, knowledge - book learning.

art = wisdom, compassion, and empathy.

what interests you about working here? i researched the organization for this answer and formulated a response.

several reasons.

1.working in prompt care, every day will be different, so being able to process, adapt, and respond accordingly is essential for this job. organization, being able to prioritize, use good judgement, willingness to work hard.

2.x company has the the largest system of rural health clinics in the state and i have lived in rural areas all my life. provision of healthcare is important to me, my family.

3.agree with x company's vision, mission, and values statements

do you have any professional affiliations?

yes, several.

what do you do to keep current with medical findings and practices?

continuing education is not only necessary for license renewal but is important for keeping skills fresh, increasing knowledge base, and being with others who do the same thing i do (networking).

how do you handle stress on the job?

by focusing on the most important thing, the care of the patient. i feel i owe it to my patients to stay calm and focused on them.

never let them see you sweat. if you lose their confidence, you will lose the ability to provide care.

how would you deal with a doctor who was rude?

first, i would try to avoid situations that would make this occur.

i would bring the question to my supervisor. if the doctor was displeased with me in some way, i would want to find out so i could take action to rectify the situation.

i would ask the doctor if there was something in my care of the patient that needed discussion.

how would you handle a patient who constantly complains about pain?

i would listen sympathetically to their complaint, reassure them that their concerns were being heard, and that we were doing everything possible to help them.

how would you handle a patient who complains about everything?

i understand that some patients will complain about everything, just because they are unhappy about what brought them to our care. i would listen and reassure them that everything possible is being done to make them comfortable.

how would you handle a family who is displeased with your patient's care?

i would listen to their concerns, and make sure that if any were well founded they were addressed immediately. sometimes family members are looking for someone or something to blame for what their loved one is going through. i would try to reassure them that the patient was getting the best quality of care available.

what do you feel you contribute to your patients?

i believe that i offer my patients comfort and confidence that they are being well cared for.

i feel that my patients know that i am there to provide comfort and understanding, that i will listen to their concerns, and that i will be their advocate.

what do you find difficult about being a nurse?

i think the most difficult part of being a nurse is having a pt who is afflicted with a dibilitating disease or injury that is going to affect them adversely for the rest of their life. especially when it occurs to children and young adults in the prime of life.

what do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

as with anything in life, work, relationships...doing something right, doing it thoroughly, and to the best of my ability are always rewarding.

what would you do if your replacement didn't arrive?

i would notify the supervisor, and offer to stay until my replacement arrived.

would you describe yourself as organized?

absolutely! being organized is, for me, a key to time management, maintaining sanity in my life, in my home...

are you a self motivator?

yes! i've been self-employed for the past 10 yrs. and to be successfully self-employed if you are not able to get up and out the door to your place of business if you aren't self motivated. also going back to school, dealing with the rigors of tremendous amount of studying, 7 am clinicals, plus i was working about 15-20 hrs/wk.

do you prefer to work alone, or as part of a team?

the concept of teamwork is important in nursing. lots of information exists re:benefits of team work.

patient prioritizing, triage

you will also need to rank your patient care on specific needs of each client to provide care to which client is in need of your attention first. this can be obtained by following your abc's of care.

a: airway

b: breathing

c: circulation

pain: don't forget - pain is the 4th vs!

sell yourself in your interview. even if you are not a master at everything, go into this interview with enthusiasm and confidence.

good luck and knock 'em dead! :nurse:

BunnySan27 · Nov 20, 2011

Sounds like some states value LPNs more than others as far as pay and the areas your allowed to do. In my area I make 27.00 and work in an LTAC. I guess those states feel LPNs aren't real nurses. Well I beg to differ I don't have the luxury where I work to push my work off on the RN I wouldn't want to, I feel its insulting to me. I trained and was educated well and I'm just as competent if not more than a lot of new grad RN and some experienced ones also, and I feel that your pay should reflect that. It burns me to no end when I hear an LVN say "oh I'm just an LVN" bull I say you are a licensed nurse and you should be proud of it.

pink_shoes99 · Nov 21, 2011

That''s sad.... CNAs start off between 11 - 12 an hour by me. LPNs should be paid more, I think they make around 15 to 17 depending on experience. Of course they can make more.

Yes, CNA's make that around here (East TN) too. Sad, but true

jimthorp · Nov 27, 2011

how can you decide whether or not to take a job without knowing what your starting wage will be?
simple! first of all, good lpn/lvn opportunities outside the ltc environment are few and far between where i live. so when i was offered a job in an urgent care center affiliated w/the local hospital, i bit! secondly, it's a half-time position that is benefitted. thirdly, it's exactly the job i wanted and has potential to grow!
i've been actively looking since may. i kept a spread sheet of applications/resumes that i submitted w/details including disposition. i customized each and every letter and resume that went out to avoid it looking like i was sending cookie-cutter paperwork.
in another forum (ambulatory care / specialty section), i posted some of the questions that i reviewed prior to my 2 interviews. i recognize the possibility that for those who focus in on this forum may not tune into specialty forum so i'll repost the answer here in its entirety. hope this is helpful.
________________
i just had a job interview this wk and was offered the position. it was only my second face-to-face nursing interview and i wanted to be sure i nailed it. i checked on allnurses.com and also online for commonly asked questions and interview hints. the following is what i came up with.
i practiced the q/a to myself for days prior, had quick answers, even thought of incidences and stories i could tell if i had to elaborate on an answer.
a pharmacology test was also part of the interview process. i studied for it using saunders nclex review (has a section w/drug calculations. i did them all and sure enuff, they were precisely what was covered on the test).
even if the interviewer does not ask the questions that you have prepared for, sometimes you can direct the interview to where you want to go.
----------------------
nurse interview questions and sample answers
what made you choose nursing as a career?
i wanted to do something in my career that is challenging, interesting, and makes a difference in people's lives on a daily basis
how has your training prepared you for a nursing career?
i believe that nursing is unique in that it is both art and science.
science = technical aspects of nursing, skill, knowledge - book learning.
art = wisdom, compassion, and empathy.
what interests you about working here? i researched the organization for this answer and formulated a response.
several reasons.
1. working in prompt care, every day will be different, so being able to process, adapt, and respond accordingly is essential for this job. organization, being able to prioritize, use good judgement, willingness to work hard.
2. x company has the the largest system of rural health clinics in the state and i have lived in rural areas all my life. provision of healthcare is important to me, my family.
3. agree with x company's vision, mission, and values statements
do you have any professional affiliations?
yes, several.
what do you do to keep current with medical findings and practices?
continuing education is not only necessary for license renewal but is important for keeping skills fresh, increasing knowledge base, and being with others who do the same thing i do (networking).
how do you handle stress on the job?
by focusing on the most important thing, the care of the patient. i feel i owe it to my patients to stay calm and focused on them.
never let them see you sweat. if you lose their confidence, you will lose the ability to provide care.
how would you deal with a doctor who was rude?
first, i would try to avoid situations that would make this occur.
i would bring the question to my supervisor. if the doctor was displeased with me in some way, i would want to find out so i could take action to rectify the situation.
i would ask the doctor if there was something in my care of the patient that needed discussion.
how would you handle a patient who constantly complains about pain?
i would listen sympathetically to their complaint, reassure them that their concerns were being heard, and that we were doing everything possible to help them.
how would you handle a patient who complains about everything?
i understand that some patients will complain about everything, just because they are unhappy about what brought them to our care. i would listen and reassure them that everything possible is being done to make them comfortable.
how would you handle a family who is displeased with your patient's care?
i would listen to their concerns, and make sure that if any were well founded they were addressed immediately. sometimes family members are looking for someone or something to blame for what their loved one is going through. i would try to reassure them that the patient was getting the best quality of care available.
what do you feel you contribute to your patients?
i believe that i offer my patients comfort and confidence that they are being well cared for.
i feel that my patients know that i am there to provide comfort and understanding, that i will listen to their concerns, and that i will be their advocate.
what do you find difficult about being a nurse?
i think the most difficult part of being a nurse is having a pt who is afflicted with a dibilitating disease or injury that is going to affect them adversely for the rest of their life. especially when it occurs to children and young adults in the prime of life.
what do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?
as with anything in life, work, relationships...doing something right, doing it thoroughly, and to the best of my ability are always rewarding.
what would you do if your replacement didn't arrive?
i would notify the supervisor, and offer to stay until my replacement arrived.
would you describe yourself as organized?
absolutely! being organized is, for me, a key to time management, maintaining sanity in my life, in my home...
are you a self motivator?
yes! i've been self-employed for the past 10 yrs. and to be successfully self-employed if you are not able to get up and out the door to your place of business if you aren't self motivated. also going back to school, dealing with the rigors of tremendous amount of studying, 7 am clinicals, plus i was working about 15-20 hrs/wk.
do you prefer to work alone, or as part of a team?
the concept of teamwork is important in nursing. lots of information exists re:benefits of team work.
patient prioritizing, triage
you will also need to rank your patient care on specific needs of each client to provide care to which client is in need of your attention first. this can be obtained by following your abc's of care.
a: airway
b: breathing
c: circulation
pain: don't forget - pain is the 4th vs!
sell yourself in your interview. even if you are not a master at everything, go into this interview with enthusiasm and confidence.
good luck and knock 'em dead!

all very nice but again, how can you come out of a job interview without knowing the starting wage? also, a job interview is not just a time for your prospective employer to learn about you but also for you to learn about that employer. i ask many questions of the prespective employer in every interview. one time my interviewer had to cut me off because evidently she did not anticipate me having any or many questions. i later was offered the job but the pay was not what i wanted so i turned them down.