Questions asked by Nurse Recruiter...what is the norm?

[funnygirl_rn]

Hello everyone. Sure do enjoy reading the posts. I am new here & hope that my post gets annotated properly, not quite sure of this software..eeks!

Anyway, here is my question...how personal are nurse recruiters supposed to be when asking you questions? Is there a guideline that one uses when they ask you questions? Just was curious of what others have encountered.

I was asked in a recent interview about my size (I am petite, but stronger than most...I do try to keep myself in shape). I told her that I lift & assist the other nurses & CNA's daily...why... do you think that I can't?! She didn't say anything...just jotted something down on her paper. She then proceeded to look over my resume & saw that I did overseas nursing in the Middle East. She asked me why I was over there. I told her that my spouse was working there & I decided to join him...it would be a great experience for me. She then asked me what he did, I told her. She said why is he was over there...I said, he lost his job in the states & his company had some current openings in this country. (He had to take this job....been unemployed for while!). She proceeded to ask what he was doing now. I said, his contract was over & he is back in the states. She then asked me why I left this previous job, I again..told her that I went to join my spouse overseas...she then made a derogatory comment regarding how long would I remain in this position that I was applying for?!? Is my spouses' job currently in the states long-term or temporary...etc....!!! Sheeeeesh..I am thinking to myself...no wonder there is a friggen nursing shortage...I can't get pass "Go"!

Is this normal for a recruiter to go into this much detail about my spouses' employment??? Thanks..just needed to vent!

[funnygirl_rn]

Hello, again. Thanks everyone for the responses. I too, thought the interview was crossing the line, just like Badbird said..is she interviewing my husband or me?!? I was keeping my composure, but I really wanted to turn the interview around & ask questions to her..i.e, So what does your hubby do, how much does he make, does he have job security or was his job affected by 9/11,, were you ever in financial woes etc...?!? I just felt she was getting way too personal & also was insulted by her asking me if I could lift etc... Renerian, I am about the same size as you...but, no one has ever asked me a question like that! If I didn't want to work on that specfic unit that I was applying for...I would have wanted to say something sarcastic regarding her weight...but, I would NEVER do that...I am not a mean spirited individual...but believe me...I had many thoughts going through my head regarding her interview style!

Also, I really liked the nurse manager on the particular unit. Got my questions answered by her, a very nice person. But, as Kevin McHugh said...I would have loved to said..sorry, not interested...#$%##! Oh, almost forgot..one of my references happened to be a nurse manager where I was employed before I left for the Middle East..also happens to be a great friend as well. She called me last night & said the recruiter called her & was asking questions that she thought was way too personal...similiar to what I asked & also question regarding my work habits, how much time did I take off while I worked there, did I work a lot of OT, did my resignation state that I went to the Middle East, asked her how long I was in the Middle East etc... Anyhow, she is very frank ...and told her point plank... that I was a great worker, yes, that I went to the Middle East & that I even brought back souveniers for everyone on the unit! Hee Hee.

Yes..it does seem inappropriate & as Kevin stated.."it is easier to herd sheep than wolves"...Thanks Nightngale..thanks all. Still I would love to say..take this job & shove it up your #@@....but, I do want to work on this particular unit...I heard from a friend..that it is run well & employees are nice. Emeralnyc, thanks for the web site too. Will keep you all posted.

[funnygirl_rn]

Emily..too funny! :-)

[nightingale, RN]

Originally posted by emily_mom

I think the recruiter needs to get laid...repeatedly

Or have a rectal stickectomy....

:)

Kristy

lmao.... :eek:

[PennyLane, RN]

Originally posted by renerian

I was asked about my size before for a job on ortho. I am not that big, 5'5" at 115 pounds. Needless to say the manager passed me by. Said I was to small.

renerian, I'm the same size. I hope the same thing doesn't happen to me.

[semstr]

MeL D, I am even smaller barely 5 F and weith under 100 pounds- never had trouble getting a job.

What about all these petite Asian nurses?

Like Nightingale stated: &%&/($(/ to this recruiter!

[kmchugh]

Originally posted by emily_mom

I think the recruiter needs to get laid...repeatedly

Or have a rectal stickectomy....

:)

Kristy

Or perhaps an abdominal glassoplasty - that's where a pane of window glass is surgically implanted in the patient's belly so they can see where they are going....

Kevin

[abrenrn]

I can't believe the number of illegal questions I have been asked by hospitals. You know why they do it? I let them get away with it.

[Ortho_RN]

Originally posted by Mel D

renerian, I'm the same size. I hope the same thing doesn't happen to me.

I have the feeling they were probably asking size because it is a ORTHO floor.. Most ortho floors require alot of lifting and not many 5' 100lb women can hold up a 6' 200lb man if needed... Not that it is right to ask those things but I would assume that is the reason... I also work on a Ortho floor now as a PCA

[funnygirl_rn]

Hi all. The position that I interviewed for is not on an Ortho floor. However, I have worked on Ortho/Med-surg...., wasn't a problem. I think I developed my upper/lower body strength while working LTC/Rehab. Lots of heave/ho at those facilities. :-)

Anyway, today I had my physical. They never weighed me, just asked me my weight & height. I also had to demonstrate the art of picking up a step stool using proper body mechanics. Peed in a cup, on my way to Wendy's & xmas shopping.

Oh, Semstr, there were two pint size Philipino nurses sitting in the waiting room with me. Wonder, if they asked those two about their size & lifting abilities? Nah...oh well, we'll see how pleasing the job will be. Just hope all my co-workers are nice!

[kae rn]

Sounds borderline here too. Have often given out to much info about myself, but think of all the interviewing experience I have received!!

My question for those of you experienced in interviewing: How do I handle the question regarding minimum salary? I don't want them to not consider me for asking too much, nor do I want to short myself by going too low. Are there written policies that specifically state how they come up with your base salary, or is it all negotiable?

Thanks for all input.

[mattsmom81]

This is always so touchy isn't it....you don't want to sound secretive but you know you don't HAVE to discuss certain things....and if you REFUSE you risk looking uncooperative. then the old 'bad attitude' tag gets placed on ya...LOL!

I work in an 'at will' employment state so they can refuse to hire me (or can fire me) for virtually ANY reason as long as it's not against federal law. And employers know the loopholes.....

Salary issues: I always try to have a handle on what nurses with my qualifications make in the area (and in that facility) so I have a fair idea of what to ask for. Usually the interviewer or manager has a base pay rate starting point written as policy...then it goes up from there. Differentials, years of experience, certifications can add up to more $$$.

Sometimes the final dollar figure is not negotiable, sometimes it is....gotta know your market. I think this salary question on apps is meant to establish if we have done our homework. They will get us as cheap as they can unforttunately.

[Glad2behere]

Hey Y'all,

This normal stuff. Just part of the game. I noticed on several interviews questions that I thought were totally irrelevant, and by the second interview I realized most of it was designed to shift my aspirations so that I could be persuaded to take a position or shift or pay scale less favorable to me.

Interviewer: "So why do you want a position in SICU?"

Me: "My orientation and experience in ICU settings have been pleasant productive ones".

Interviewer: "Is this to say that you must have an ICU position?"

Me, somewhat confused: "Absolutely!"

Interviewer: "Well, we have a position open on 11 Tower, but it is a step-down unit, would that interest you?"

Me: "Are you saying the position in SICU is not available?"

Interviewer: "We have had a lot of applicants for that position."

Me: "I realize that there are many applicants, and I cannot possibly be the only one, may I ask as to why you called me to be interviewed for the SICU if there is an overflow of applicants?"

Interviewer: "We want you to be happy here with us so you must have SICU? We try our best to match nurses to their skills and our needs, perhaps you could work 11 Tower for a year and move to SICU then, provided of course, there is a position open and you have minimal mistakes."

Me: To myself I think "OOOKKay, I have been called to sit for an ICU interview, have good experience in one of the best ICU's within a hundred miles, never have worked in a step-down unit, and feel deceived. If the position is filled, just say so lady"

So I say to her when I stand to leave and shake her hand "I am so sorry, I really was only interested in the ICU position as an immediate hire, thank you for the opportunity to interview".

Go eat lunch, have another interview that afternoon with another hospital for an even more skilled position. Interview the HR person, the NM, day supervisor, and the HR runs the background check while I am interviewing with the other two. I leave the supervisor and am handed directly back to the HR person and the question is immediate and not really a question "We are so glad you can join us! I have your physical set for Tuesday at 9am, is that within your time framework?"

Don't let em buffalo ya.