Preparing for an interview at another hospital

[jimmy328, RN]

Hello All,

I've been a med-surge RN at a local county hospital for three years. My desire is to leave this hopital and see what else is out there. I have an interview with a nearby Tenet hospital (in a very nice part of town) on a telemetry unit that will pay significantly better than what I am making now. I have three references from charge nurses that I like and know well from my current hospital. I don't really have the best relationship with my manager of three years; therefore, my concern is if Tenet contacts my manager. I prefer to be the one that gives notice to my manager and say "Thank you, the past three years has been a great learning experience". How does another hospital go about verifying an RN's past experience? How should I prepare for this interview? Please tell me what to expect.

Jim

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

They can call HR to verify your employment. I didn't tell my manager that I was looking when I was applying to new jobs a couple years ago. Charge nurses are valid references, that's what I did. Don't list your manager as a reference/contact person and the new hospital won't contact her.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I agree with the previous poster. The manager of the telemetry unit can only get in touch with your current manager if he/she knows the manager personally. HR cannot give out that information. They can only verify dates of employment and current status i.e. eligible for rehire, fired etc. Best of luck to you.

[jimmy328, RN]

My interview lasted nearly an hour with the nursing director of this Tenet hospital. She appeared interested; I guess that’s why she wants me to come back for a “peer review” this Saturday. I guess this is when 2 or 3 RN’s ask me questions but I’m really not sure what to expect. My references have not yet been contacted.

Thanks to those who have given me advice.