Preparing for "staff interview" in ED

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Specializes in ER.

Hi all,

I will be moving to a new state in a few months and have just started to throw out the fishing line for a few ED's. I have come across a few interesting things and I'm wondering what other nurses might or have done in this scenario. Both ED's have called me.

The first ED manager let me know what shifts they have available (all night shifts) - I eluded to the fact that I have worked mid shifts, but did make the disclaimer that I don't want to rule out anything, just that I have worked mid and day shifts, and had worked a few night shifts, but I believe I defintely gave her the impression nights were not my first choice. I feel that this might be seen as inflexible. Is an experienced nurse expected to start on a night shift, never having been a night shift person (can't stay awake!), to get into a the best hospital in this new state? Is it too much to ask for what I want, shift wise?

I followed up with an email and phone voice message to her, just to be clear that I'm looking forward to hearing from her and that I'm excited about this place and open to options. Again, don't want to seem desperate. There re more details, and she did say she'd call me back. On this particular situation, I'm wondering who might have experience with the shift question for a potential job. Again, I don't want to be seen as inflexible, just can't work a night shift.

So, I got a phone call from another ED manager yesterday and she is going to set me up for a staff team interview. So this place is moving ahead with plans to interview me, which seems this place is more serious about me. When she asked me about night shift (I learned from the last one), I said "I'm open to options" - then she proceeded in talking to me. I'm thinking that last phone call, I shot myself in the foot about the night shift question.....

So this ED manager mentioned the staff interview, which I had when I came into my current job. My question is, beyond providing specific scenarious/situations/ and my responses, what else can I do and say to make them want to hire me? It definitely feels like a deposition and you want to answer everything perfectly, but I want to be myself.... lots of pressure. Any thoughts/ideas??

Thanks!!

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:uhoh21: I think with the number of people out of work on this blog, you'd understand when I say "take what you can get". If someone on days later drops out, you will be perfectly positioned to step into their shoes. You can get used to almost anything if you try hard enough. Just make sure you get enough sleep during the evening and day hours to compensate. I love working nights!:loveya:

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you're an experienced nurse and you want us to tell you what to do to make them want to hire you? i say be yourself and let your personality, being, and experiences speak for themselves. if they like you and believe you'd be a good fit then they'll hire you. if not then it's probably better for the both of you.

as for the nights thing, you can stay awake if you prep for it. i dont think you should go into any interview demanding a day shift position.

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Specializes in ER.

thanks! I'm sure there are tricks to get used to it - I'm more worried about my kids getting accustomed to not having me around as much..... but you're right, I need to take what I can get and then switch to something later.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in ER.
you're an experienced nurse and you want us to tell you what to do to make them want to hire you? i say be yourself and let your personality, being, and experiences speak for themselves. if they like you and believe you'd be a good fit then they'll hire you. if not then it's probably better for the both of you.

as for the nights thing, you can stay awake if you prep for it. i dont think you should go into any interview demanding a day shift position.

thanks, Pineapple. Just looking for personal experiences as to those staff interviews - like I wrote, I've been through that before... and I'm not looking for anyone to "tell me what to do to make them hire me" - just interested in other stories, experiences, etc. - we can always learn from others'.

I don't believe in demanding anything either. Those questions do arise about what shift you've worked and what you are looking for - we all have preferences and I'm trying to be PC in avoiding those shift questions, since I know what I have applied for are NIGHT positions. My theory is to apply for those, then you have a P.O.C., never knowing if another shift opens up..... darned if you do and darned if you don't. Just want to play it right.

My other option is to stay neutral and wait until a job is offered.

On a side note, where I'm working now, a job was created - not to say that will ever happen again, but hey, if I work 11a-11p or 3p-3a, you never know if they might take that FT night and redistribute that to an off shift....

As for the night shift work, I have heard of people using Melatonin to adjust the nights.... I'm willing to give it a go, especially because I'll be needing the job!

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Any new hire in my department has to start out on NOC's, because most of the staff on NOC's wants to get off and they take any open mid-shift or days. I'm the low man on days with 5 yrs dept seniority and 10 yrs hospital seniority.

I'm not sure what state you are moving to but there is not a lot of jobs around the NW with experience you would easily find one, just maybe not the perfect shift...

Good luck...

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Specializes in ER.
Any new hire in my department has to start out on NOC's, because most of the staff on NOC's wants to get off and they take any open mid-shift or days. I'm the low man on days with 5 yrs dept seniority and 10 yrs hospital seniority.

I'm not sure what state you are moving to but there is not a lot of jobs around the NW with experience you would easily find one, just maybe not the perfect shift...

Good luck...

Thanks. I think the responses here are cluing me into the fact that I should take what I can get - for now. I suppose once I'm up there and see what might open up, I can apply to move to a mid shift. Thanks for the response!

No shift is perfect, but I've always liked night shift people - less drama, usually work "better" together... so there's a plus. Oh, and the bonus for working nights. That's a big bonus if you're having to endure sleep disruption!

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Specializes in ER.

So I have my interview set up for the level 1 trauma center... was surprised I got a call by HR to set that up and the ED interview - the ED manager never gave any indication she would be having HR call me to set this up, so that's good news. Should be interesting... probably more pressure for this ED interview than any other I've had. Will post how it went. I'm always interested to hear about questions that were posed to applicants beyond the standard (provide us with an ethical situation that you stood out from the others, or what are your strengths/weaknesses, how do you handle stressful situations, etc....) - I'm definitely hoping for this hospital - as it's the grand poo ba in the area...

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Good luck!!!! :) :) :)

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Specializes in ER.

Thanks, LunahRN!

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Specializes in ER.

I started another thread now that I'll be going back for the peer interview - and another interview at another ED on Monday. The worst part is wearing "normal" business clothes and not scrubs!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Ugh. I don't have a lot of "normal" left in my closet! After I left my corporate design job, I happily donated lots of stuff to Goodwill. :D Good luck!!!

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