Questions for your Employer....

smn2010, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2009

as you prepare....read each question and take the time to summarize an answer. then, whenever you can, practice answering each of the questions using the answer you summarized. with time, you will become confident with your responses. also, if by change you are asked the exact same questions that may be listed below....please...pause, take your time, then answer the question. if you answer too quickly, the interviewer will know your answers were well prepared in advance.

hope you find these helpful!

best of luck with your interviews. :up:

here are potential questions the employer may ask you:

http://www.nursecareers.com/questionstoanswer.html

http://www.characterbasedleadership.com/health1.html

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/nurse-interview-questions/article.aspx

a good interviewer, should provide answers to many of the basic questions listed below as he/she briefly discusses the position you are interviewing for. if you are interviewing with an hr specialist first, hold several of the unit based questions for your interview (if you are asked, called back) with the unit manager, team leaders, etc. since they will have a better, more realistic, response for you.

i usually enter an interview with a leather portfolio/folder that contains a lined 8.5x11 tablet. at the start of the interview, after preliminary introductions, i politely ask, "do you mind if i take a few notes about the position/unit/department while we are talking?" i use the top page to take notes from the interviewer. on the second page, i have my questions written and ready to ask the interviewer. many interviewers will express how impressed they are that you came prepared with your own questions. sometimes, you find that you are nervous during the interview so remember to quickly jot down the interviewer's response to each question you ask.this really helps if you have several interviews scheduled during a short period of time and you want to remember who you met with (name/title/department) and the facility where you interviewed.

some questions to ask the employer:

what is the nurse-to-patient ratio?

is there support staff on the unit to assist nurses?

in what ways are nurses held accountable for high qualities of practice?

how much input do nurses have regarding systems, equipment and the care environment?

can you explain the scheduling process?

do you have 8/10/12 hour shifts?

how is the scheduling done for the unit?

what are the current challenges that your unit faces?

what were the results of the last survey?

when is the next survey scheduled?

is call required for this position? if so, what are the call requirements?

what would be my primary challenges if i were selected for this position?

how often are performance reviews conducted and what is your process?

how does this organization feel about continuing education?

how does the administration view nursing in terms of importance to the hospital?

are nurses allowed to suggest areas for research to improve patient care? if so, are they allowed to design and carry out research projects with other professionals?

what unique challenges has this unit faced over the last year? (i.e. successes, failures, etc.)

how long is the orientation phase and what can i expect?

how much of the orientation phase will be spent on the shift i will be working?

what professional development opportunities are available to nurses?

again, good luck!