Nursing mgrs who interview floor nurses - which candidate is more desirable?

[klone, MSN, RN]

An ADN or BSN nurse who has no aspirations to further her career and become an advanced practice nurse. This nurse might stay with your unit for many many years as a well-qualified and well-trained floor nurse.

Or

A nurse who has said that she's planning on going back to school part-time (while still working) in the next year to get her advanced degree. This nurse might only be with your unit for 2-4 years while she pursues her degree, and after that would move onto a position somewhere as an APN.

[CathyLew]

while you like to see someone who is driven to improve..... we have had many that use our facility as a stepping stone to get their NP.... and some of those are clearly devoting the majority of their time to their studies.... even while at work. Doing papers instead of care plans, squeezing in online homework instead of answering call bells.... Or just showing up so tired from all night study sessions, and expecting the rest of the staff to pick up the slack.

I would have to say the nurse that is there to do the job, and looks to stay there.

Both would be valuable to have. But in 2-4 years, like you said, you will be looking for another replacement for nurse #2.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would still choose #2 because NO ONE is guaranteed to hang around for any length of time. People get pregnant, spouse gets transferred, retire, get sick-------

[Jules A, MSN]

I'm not a nurse manager but we do interview prospective hires and for me it would depend on the person, their vibe and how well I thought they would mesh with our team more than the what-ifs of the future.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I'm not a nurse manager but we do interview prospective hires and for me it would depend on the person, their vibe and how well I thought they would mesh with our team more than the what-ifs of the future.

Sorry, I should have clarified in the OP - assume that all else is totally equal.

[Jolie, BSN]

I agree with classicdame. It's a toss-up.

In the real world, a staff nurse remaining in the same position for 2-4 years is a rarity. So even though one nurse may "plan" to stay put for a long time, things happen. On the other hand, a candidate who is dividing his/her energies between work and school may not be very inclined to change jobs in the short term.

I would base my decision on other factors.

[LouisVRN, RN]

I would have to say I would like someone with some motivation to do something, although with the amount of money it costs to train someone and finding someone who meshes with the team, I'd still be likely to choose the nurse who had the intent of staying on the floor for awhile. Granted if there was an ideal candidate it would be one who was motivated to achieve more education related to the current position they were applying for with the goals of improving their practice.

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

I'd take the one that would stay forever and and ever. We need experienced nurses at the bedside to take care of the sickies and train the new ones that come every 2 years to replace the ANP and CRNA folks. :) Ivanna

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I would hope any manager decided on individual merits as well as the costs of training a new grad. Why should advancement be punished?

[MedicineCNS]

Honestly... I would take the one that wants to go back to school full time. She will most likely give back based on what she learns in school. The other piece is she is more likely to stay that duration because it is hard to find someone willing to accommodate a school and schedule and you are less likely to try and move around.

The nurse that says she doesn't want to leave... hasn't been burned out. I think most of us know what that is like. The grad student sees an end to this phase of their career.

FWIW I was that new grad in critical care, I stay for 4 years and some change. I did alot of additional work to help my unit. Most of the other new grads I worked with were loooong gone but the time I left. I was a more senior nurse there.

[Jules A, MSN]

Sorry, I should have clarified in the OP - assume that all else is totally equal.

But truthfully even with all qualifications being equal people are different and their vibe, attitude etc. would be what I base my decision on.

[rn4ever?]

I can go with any of the two that you mentioned-----anybody who meets the minimum qualifications is fine-----the next thing that would matter is how we get along/the person's personality/if that person is a team-player.