Questions to ask during a peer interview?

NursePati87 · Dec 12, 2010

You can ask:

1) What are the most challenging aspects of being a new intern?

2) What processes are established to develop the current employees?

3) What is the turnover rate for new interns?

These are just some of the ones I can think off the top of my head...btw I love the question about what is your ideal candidate because that is a very powerful question

Luv NursePati87

Guest27531 · Dec 12, 2010

A peer interview is usually distinctly different from other interviews because the perspective is so different. Put yourself in the position of Interviewer for a moment...what would you be interested in if you were going to work side-by-side with this person every day?

YES - hire this person:

1. Easy to talk to and seems interested in building good relationships

2. Willingness to learn our way of doing things

3. Eager to learn and willing to invest the necessary time/attention to do so

4. More interested in the work than in the "Benefits" that come with the job

5. Likely to learn the job quickly and will come to work every day

NO - don't hire this person:

1. Seemed more interested in the "Benefits" (asked about sick days, vacations, etc.)

2. Seemed more interested in the social aspects of the job (Can I meet doctors? Do you like the Manager?)

3. Seemed more interested in future career moves than in this job (already talking about transfers to other units)

4. Seems too slow to pick up the work - not sure they would pick up the job skills quickly

5. Talked about having medical problems and whether it would be easy to get time off to go to the doctor

6. Talked about back problems and whether there was any heavy lifting with the job

7. Talked about babysitting issues and whether they could get time off for childcare issues.

We just had a peer interview situation in our department and the nurse doing the interviewing had basically one question to which she needed a "Yes" answer in order to give the thumbs up for the hire.

The questions was "Are you willing to do, basically, anything?"

It was not an entry-level job so the details did not need to be spelled out but in that situation, but anyone who said "no" or "maybe" just wasn't the right person. Only an individual who said "Of course" or "Absolutely" would get the peer approval for the hire in this situation. The job was in a two nurse procedure lab where there may or may not be housekeeping at the moment you need them, may or may not be a technician, may or may not be a transporter, etc. so the nurse who was right for the job really needed to be there 100%. By the way, although the nurse doing the interviewing was willing to answer questions about the job so the interviewee would know what she was getting into, the only thing needed for a "successful" interview was to answer that one question with enthusiasm.

So, I guess my best advice is to relax and not worry about the interview as an "Interview" but rather see it as meeting someone who just wants to see if they can work with you. Be yourself and ask questions that you really want to know about the job.

Good luck and congratulations for making it this far. I think you will make it all the way!!! :yeah:

agencynurse_rn · Dec 13, 2010

Basically, when Managers are looking to hire a new Nursing grad they are looking for passion, zeal, zest, and keenness (all synonyms for enthusiasm), a willingness to learn, and a willingness to fit into the organization. Exhibit all these traits during your peer interview and you should have no trouble getting in.

-Ask the peer interviewer what she really enjoys about her job.

-The most challenging part of being a Nurse in that environment.

-Ask them if they see you as a good fit at the very end of the interview (no hesitation, a big smile, and a "yes" are good signs)

If you want to know about pay, benefits, and sick days you can call HR and enquire, or go to another unit and ask a friendly Nurse. Don't ask your peer interviewer about these important details (new grads don't want to be perceived as having an affection for money).

Traum-a-Rama · Dec 13, 2010

Thank you all for the great advice!! I love the questions you suggessted and appreciate the tips and pointers! The peer interview is Thursday, and I hope this is the final step in the hiring process...wish me luck!

BluegrassRN · Dec 13, 2010

When I interview potentials, I like the ones who ask me specifics about my job. To me, it shows they are really interested, and want to learn as much as possible about the position before they start.

Questions like:

*What sort of charting system do you use...computer (if computer, what system), paper (if paper, what form)?

*How is scheduling accomplished: is it self scheduling, set schedules, does one person make the schedule, etc. Are schedules released every two weeks, month, or two month?

*Do you have IV therapy or do floor nurses start their own IVs?

*How are assignments done: team nursing, with one aide or LPN assigned to one RN? Primary nursing, with no aides on the floor? One aide on the floor, helping everyone else out? Do you have an admit/discharge nurse?

*What other sort of staff are on the floor? Is there a secretary to answer phones and enter orders? Does your unit have a dedicated RT, Social worker, pharmacist, PT?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 13, 2010

the philosophy of our unit, when hiring new grads is that we can teach you the job. are you someone we want to work with? someone who talks about needing time off for family vacations, weekends off because all her friends are getting married and is already asking about nights and holidays . . . proceed with caution. a good question would indicate understanding of the 24/7/365 nature of the job and willingness to do what's needed -- something like "how are holiday shifts assigned?" or "what is the ratio of nights to days?"