I have a dilemma

Nurses Job Hunt

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I have my first job lined up, but there are some things that I don't like about it.

1: It's a PRN position. (I get full time hours for orientation)

2: They can't tell me when a full time position will be available

3: Zero benefits

4: It's so darn HOT!!!

5: 100 miles from the nearest major city.

My official start date is at the end of July. There is no contract, although they would like for me to stay for a year.

I received a phone call from a hiring manager in Houston to set up a phone interview with a nurse manager. It's a full time position at a much larger hospital. (Houston Methodist San Jacinto) I just don't know what to do if the interview goes well.

Can anyone give me tips on how to give a great phone interview? How do I make myself standout? What would impress a nurse manager? Will the questions be typical interview questions?

Thank you so much in advance.

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Anyone?

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I won't be much help.

I've never been on the other end of a phone interview.

I don't know any nurse that has. Maybe it's a big city thing?

I you're asking about two different jobs, I'd never take a PRN job if I were single, breadwinner, or couldn't afford to miss a couple of days a pay period.

Even if orientation is full time.

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Smile when you give your responses. :)

Phone interviews can be harder than face-to-face encounters sometimes. It's the first step in the screening process. You have to pass it, in order to get to the hiring manager or panel. I've had some that are less than 10 minutes, while others have been 30 minutes.

They will ask typical interview questions such as: what are your strengths, your weaknesses, why did you become a nurse, your most difficult patient, etc....

I hope you get a job offer for the full-time position. Best wishes!

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I did well with the phone interview, the nurse manager said that she would be happy to have me. Now the hospital wants to set up an in person interview.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner.

San Jac Methodist is a great facility. Baytown is a nice area to live. close enough to the Gulf to take off to the beach whenever you have a few hours to spare. It's certainly not "100 miles from the nearest major city" - unless you are referring to somewhere other than Houston. H-town is right next door... srsly, there is really no open space in the 25 minute drive on I-10 from downtown Houston to Baytown. It's certainly close enough to Houston to indulge in any serious shopping or entertainment expeditions - LOL.

Based on your comment "It's so darn HOT"... I assume you would be relocating from a cooler climate?? I have to admit, it can be 'jungle hot' for a while in the Summer. If you're moving to the area in the Summer, it can be a real shock to the system. But we do have 4 seasons: Summer, Still Summer, Christmas, & Almost Summer. :) Yeah, the AC bills are high in July and August, but it all balances out in the "winter" months. And that high humidity is wonderful for your skin!

BTW, if you're flying in for your interview, use Hobby airport. It's about an hour's drive to Baytown from there.

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Sorry I didn't see your post sooner.

San Jac Methodist is a great facility. Baytown is a nice area to live. close enough to the Gulf to take off to the beach whenever you have a few hours to spare. It's certainly not "100 miles from the nearest major city" - unless you are referring to somewhere other than Houston. H-town is right next door... srsly, there is really no open space in the 25 minute drive on I-10 from downtown Houston to Baytown. It's certainly close enough to Houston to indulge in any serious shopping or entertainment expeditions - LOL.

Based on your comment "It's so darn HOT"... I assume you would be relocating from a cooler climate?? I have to admit, it can be 'jungle hot' for a while in the Summer. If you're moving to the area in the Summer, it can be a real shock to the system. But we do have 4 seasons: Summer, Still Summer, Christmas, & Almost Summer. :) Yeah, the AC bills are high in July and August, but it all balances out in the "winter" months. And that high humidity is wonderful for your skin!

BTW, if you're flying in for your interview, use Hobby airport. It's about an hour's drive to Baytown from there.

Thank you for the response. The first job that I was talking about is in a rural area in the California desert. They want me to start at the end of the month. San Jac Methodist is the job that I am currently interviewing for, they are flying me out.

Is it safe to assume that they want me for the job if they are willing to bring me to their facility?

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
Thank you for the response. The first job that I was talking about is in a rural area in the California desert. They want me to start at the end of the month. San Jac Methodist is the job that I am currently interviewing for, they are flying me out.

Is it safe to assume that they want me for the job if they are willing to bring me to their facility?

Methodist hospital system in Houston is a great one. You can get some amazing experience there. PRN position is pretty dangerous for a new grad imo, your exp will be limited and if they call you... that means they are most likely short.

I would say speak from the heart for any interview in general. Finding a connection with the interviewer is a great thing as well. Research the hospital. If you don't know it, its ok to say "I do not know, but I will find out."

Methodist is ranked as the #1 general hospital in Texas.

Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX - US News Best Hospitals

I would mention that. Look into the area and show your interest.

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Hi! I would like to know how was your interview with MHSJ. I've also did two telephone interviews with them and they are flying me out in October for a panel interview. Thank you very much.

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nurse manager phone interview usually situational, like......what are you going to do if your patient having a chest pain? what are the s/s of chest pain? in short they want you to answer MONA on this question!!! Morphine, Oxygen, Nitrates, and Aspirin! test like ECG and chest xray too!!! Good luck :saint:

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