Interview Question

[special1rn]

I will be interviewing for a nurse manager position and I am wondering when asked what would you change if you got position? Is there a correct answer? I can see from the outside the unit staff members need to work together and need leadership, however is that okay to say in this instance, I have just observed that from working within the hospital.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Well, IMO the "right" answer is "I wouldn't change anything at first" particularly if you're hired in from outside the unit. You need to gain their trust through time and letting them get to know you before you can make any big changes. It's also really hard to know what's not working well until you know how it works. The first several months in a new leadership role, IMO, is just getting to know the unit and the people and how the place runs.

[kayern]

Trend lightly especially if a staff member sits in on the interview. I suggest you use words I.e., my observation is but qualify it by saying something to the effect I haven't worked on that unit. If you can get the new units outcomes you can address those that are below national benchmarks, this way the statistics speak for themselves and are more concrete than observations. A question we always ask is related to your management style, your strengths and an area for opportunity to develop. Good luck. Keep us posted