What should I ask

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I'll be a new grad in Dec 2006 and will start interviewing at hospitals next week. I've searched through other threads and haven't been able to find any answers for my concerns. Particularly, what should I want to know about the hospital I might be joining. I already know to ask about what sort of new grad program training and support they offer, but I want to know what should I want to know about the hospital itself and any other helpful hints that anyone could impart. Thanks in advance.

Nursebeefcake

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Specializes in Cardiology.

things you might want to know...

how is scheduling done? (you set up a permanent schedule at hire? self scheduling? mgr does it completely without your input?)

how early does the next schedule come out? (my hubby's former company put out a one month schedule on the last of the month starting the next day! my current employer put it out 1-2 weeks early)

what is the nurse/pt ratio?

I'm sure other people will provide more questions, but these were important factors for me before I took an offer.

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Depending on how you feel about unions, if they're a union shop. What the overtime policy is: is it mandatory or voluntary?

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

Absolutely ask how long the orientation will be and WHO will be orienting you. Ask about the nurse turnover rate. Ask how long the manager/ director has been there and find out what the hospitals vision statement is. Find out why the position is open.

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Thank you all for your replies. I will be sure to incorporate them into my interviews.

-Nursebeefcake

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Another thing you can do is find out as much as you can yourself

before the interview.

You can do online search.

Lots of hospitals have websites. If not, you can find out what

corportation owns the hospital/what group it is in and research

that website. You can get a lot of info that way.

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Find out if it is for profit or non-profit.

Ask what the pay will be and what you can do to

get pay increases later as you work there.

Ask what the benefits are (if you do not already

know from the website).

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