skqb

Ignorant? No just working and hiring in a major city hospital so actually have a finger on the pulse of nursing in the urban setting.

The nursing shortage was not engineered or misrepresented. The economy tanked and the large number of RN's expected to retire find that they can't afford to and they are remaining in the workforce. Additionally, the number of RN's that are mothers that typically cut down on hours, may have an unemployed spouse at home and they are now the major breadwinner. There are many factors involved. However, this is a cycle in the economy and eventually it will recover, the RN's will retire/cut back and we will need well prepared new grads. I agree with supply and demand so take a page from the business world and be prepared to market yourself. Interview advice: In this market all the rules have changed. Be prepared to discuss why you specifically went into nursing, what your future professional goals are and to give examples of difficult patient interactions and how you handled them. Don't use genral terms like caring and dedicated without having examples of how and why you embody those traits. Employers have their pick of the best of the best and you need to stress why YOU will be an asset to the floor. Do your research on the unit and the staff. Units/floors are unique and you should be prepared to discuss what makes them unique. do they only do 12 hours shifts, an RN only model ( no UAP's?) Do RN's drive rounding? Know the institution you are applying to..are they government owned, have Magnet status, is there flexibility to go to grad school, are you expected to become certified in your specialty and at what point in your career? Med-Surg is a specialty and those that work in Med-Surg are proud of the work they do. Immediate turnoff for me in an interview is hearing that you are interested in med-surg as a stepping stone. Regardless of where you are interviewing, make sure it is a patient population you enjoy and are challenged by or your burnout will be fast and furious. Not having questions prepared for the interviewer looks like you haven't done any research. Building a strong staff is essential to patient outcomes and nothing is guaranteed in nursing anymore. Thoroughly prepare for the interview and send a thank you note.

Interview advice: In this market all the rules have changed. Be prepared to discuss why you specifically went into nursing, what your future professional goals are and to give examples of difficult patient interactions and how you handled them. All of the terms that Daytonite listed in original post are helpful but you need to be able to say how and why you embody those traits. Employers have their pick of the best of the best and you need to stress why YOU will be an asset to the floor. Do your research on the unit and the staff. Units/floors are unique and often have something special about them and you should be prepared to discuss what makes them unique. Know the institution you are applying to..are they government owned, have Magnet status? Med-Surg is a specialty and those that work in Med-Surg are proud of the work they do. Immediate turnoff for me in an interview is hearing that you are interested in med-surg as a stepping stone. Not having questions prepared for the interviewer looks like you haven't done any research. Building a strong staff is essential to patient outcomes and nothing is guaranteed in nursing anymore. Thoroughly prepare for the interview and send a thank you note.