Questions to ask in an interview for non-bedside position

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

I got a call back to interview for a nurse coordinator position, which will coordinate treatments for outpatients with endovascular infections. It sounds like it's in a newer department within this hospital system, and I'm super excited for it based on my understanding of the role and program goals.

At this point I'm pretty practiced in what questions to ask in bedside interviews, but I'm not sure how to evaluate the fit of this kind of job. Last time I worked a non-bedside position it ended up not being a great fit and I didn't last long, so I'm hoping to avoid that this time around. I think I have managed to choose something more aligned with my long-term personal interests this time, but beyond that I'm not sure what else to address when I get to talk with the director. What questions would you all recommend asking? So far I've got the standard, "What are the primary responsibilities?" and, "Who does this position report to?"

[TryingtoThriveRN, ASN, BSN]

First of all congratulation! I’m also transitioning to my first non bedside position soon but I’ve never been one who’s great with interview or asking questions, so will be following this post? what made your first non bedside job not a great fit? 

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

3 hours ago, TryingtoThriveRN said:

First of all congratulation! I’m also transitioning to my first non bedside position soon but I’ve never been one who’s great with interview or asking questions, so will be following this post? what made your first non bedside job not a great fit? 

@TryingtoThriveRN my non-bedside job before was in research nursing in a government setting. I think I wasn't prepared for something that much slower paced and calm, if you can believe it, and was more trying to get away from my (then) current job that no longer was healthy for me, rather than seeking something I was truly trying to move toward. (People here warned me about that possibility, but I chose to learn the hard way, LOL.) It also ended up being kind of cliquey, with not a lot of room for me to contribute any new thoughts and ideas, as the place was fairly set in their ways with the idea of "we already know what works best," so it ended up not being the nicest culture to try to break into.

I was scared to apply for this job since last time went so poorly, but I was really invigorated reading the job description and researching the program, so I thought it might be worth it. It's also more along the lines of what I chose to study for my MSN, so I think my motivations for changing jobs is better this time too.

Congrats on your new position! I love my 12s (and, more importantly,  my days off), but I think for the right job, we will both do just fine with more traditional schedules. ?