questions to ask potential employer during an interview?

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

What are some questions you have asked/wish you would have asked when interviewing a potential place of employment? I am interviewing in a small hospital tomorrow and am trying to think of questions that I should ask that show the value system/work ethic of the nurses in each unit.

So far I have:

-How many travelers currently?

-Is there a career ladder of some sort? How many nurses are on it?

-What level of involvement is expected from staff nurses?

-(For the manager specifically) How often do you meet with your staff? How do you stay in contact with the nurses?

And of course I hope to be able to job shadow someone and ask what they like about the place and what they would change.

Is there anything else I should be asking about? Any other questions that you have found especially "enlightening" while interviewing?

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I love it when nurses understand that they must contribute to the success of the business by asking:

To be successful, what qualities and skills can I contribute to the organization?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry, SICU.

There's always: nurse-patient ratio, length of orientation, how often you would have to float, resources available should you need them (rapid response, lab team, etc), charge nurse responsibilities (does the charge nurse take pts? how long does an employee work on the unit until he/she is expected to take on charge duties), are there committees that you can become involved with?

I also like the above poster's idea of asking what you can contribute to the organization.

I WISH I would have thought of these during my job interview! HA

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Are nurses at your facility sent home early on occasion for low census? If so, are the nurses payed outright for loss of hours (rather than money pulled out of their leave time, payed sick leave, vacation time) for their being sent home? Is a nurse who is sent home early, say every other week, still considered a full time nurse?

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Specializes in LTC.

Does the facility have avenues for a nurse to further their education (CEU's, Certifcations, advancing degrees) Also ask about staffing for support staff. Will there be CNAs on the floor, how many patients do they have? Are there other resource people available?

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What time do you get off work??That's always a good one. Or Are you married. Or Can i give you my number we can hook up later. Or Are you tired because you have been running thought my mind all day LOL love that one start there and let me know how it goes.. All jokes a side you have to remember when your interviewing for employment. Interview back ask about things that your looking for or goals you have and can they help with them. See if the place fits you. Pay, Benefits, Programs, and tell them in a yr i want to be here and so on make a list of things you want and ask your questions off of those notes. They are looking you over You should be doing the same. Do your homework about the place go online look for anything Surveys and so on really know what your stepping in to.

So many times you read ( This place doesn't fit me) ( Having a hard time) and so on I have to ask what did you know about the place before you applied and just because your friend, aunt, uncle, is happy there you might not be so take time and learn. Understand ? These are my thoughts use them as you wish

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Ask about career development... opportunities to join committees, etc. E.g., if you are interested in wound care - is there a wound care committee you can contribute to.

Are there opportunities to progress fro SN II to SN III? Does the hospital endorse/offer reimbursement for post grad education (MSN)?

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