What info do I need about new job??

[Student Mom to Three]

First of all.....sure feels good not to be posting under "First Job Search" or "First Year After Licensure". Yahoo for surviving the dreaded first year and first nursing job!!

So....I *may*get an offer next week (fingers crossed). If I do, is it okay to ask to read through the personnel policies/manual before I accept? I just really want to make sure that I would be making a move to a better job and not be taken by surprise about some policy after I am already working there.

Any other ideas of info I should gather/questions I should ask before making a decision about accepting a new job? I have a pretty good idea of how things work at the facility, nurse:patient ratios and what-not. I had the chance to speak with the nurses and ask about morale, culture, etc. Mostly concerned about what info I should get from the administration.

Thanks!!

[sbostonRN]

Every time I change jobs I discover something that I didn't think was important until I had already started. For example, my current job requires corporate approval for any vacation request over 1 week. As someone who loves to travel, this would have been something I would've like to know beforehand.

I think reading the employee handbook would be a great idea if they allow you to do that. Otherwise, I always make sure to ask about nurse:patient ratios, how the team works together, if the nurse gets any input into the plan of care, and the typical workflow.

Good luck with the potential job! I'm currently waiting on a job too :)