Questions for Potential Co-workers

[Lola Lou, BSN]

This will not be my first nursing job interview but it will be the first one where I will have the opportunity to ask potential co-workers questions. I want to make the most of the question/answer time and try to get a more realistic picture of where I may be working in the near future. Does anyone have suggestions on specific questions that you would ask potential co-workers that would be different than what you would ask a manager or HR person? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[RN403, BSN, RN]

I would personally ask about the nurse to patient ratio, what they like about their job, what a typical day is like, and the most common patient conditions they encounter.

I would basically ask questions that would allow you to get a general feel for the floor from the POV that is most relevant to you. Read their body language when they answer the questions, too. Body language can tell you more than spoken words. Good Luck!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I would ask "What makes you stay here?"

[RNatHeart24]

I would definitely ask them how long they have worked there, why they work there, what they like about it, what they don't like about it (Don't be afraid to ask this. No job is perfect so it's important to get the good and the bad before deciding whether or not to work there.), what a typical day looks like, and the challenges the floor faces (low census, high nurse turnover or frequently short staffed, etc). If you feel comfortable, you could ask how the staff gets along with one another. I have found that a group of people who don't get along makes for a very bad work environment and low job satisfaction. It also affects patient care.

If you have time, I would ask each of them what one piece of advice they would give to someone who is either new to nursing or looking to get a job on that floor.

Good luck!

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Do you always get a meal break? If not, how often not.

Do you leave on time?

Is there a lot staff turn over?

Do you have fun at work? (This may seem like a bizarre question, but it's important to me).

[Lola Lou, BSN]

Great questions. I will definitely be asking these. Thanks again for your help!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

I would personally ask about the nurse to patient ratio, what they like about their job, what a typical day is like, and the most common patient conditions they encounter.

I would basically ask questions that would allow you to get a general feel for the floor from the POV that is most relevant to you. Read their body language when they answer the questions, too. Body language can tell you more than spoken words. Good Luck!

I agree with this, but I would add one thing. Be careful, make sure you don't ask any questions that would imply that a negative response might mean you wouldn't stay. They will be looking for that sort of indication.

[VAC]

Ask if the work load is reasonable.