What questions do you ask the hospital during your phone interview?

[raindrop]

I am finishing up my first travel assignment, which has been dreadful, horrific, and has aged me 5 years in 2 months. I have another 6.5 weeks left.

I am going to take 6 weeks off before jumping back in. I need it after working here.

When I start interviewing with other hospitals, what should I ask in order to get a real feel for the enviroment and the folks that work there? With this assignemt, I asked the basics (ratios, etc) and it sounded OK, but now I know the manager was full of SHIOOT. Any suggestions? I can't go thru this again.

[Michellex1013]

I agree, I hate being lied to. My first assignment they hired me without an interview. I didn't know better. I did end up calling the nurse manager before I agreed to the contract only to be lied to. I always ask atleast the top 3 or 4 things important to me.

I ask for a description on the unit and usual type of patients (cardiac, med/sug etc)

Ratios (not just nurse to patient but I ask if there is help from aides)

If I don't already know what the law allow CNA's to do, I ask that also.

Scheduling

sometimes I ask what the likely hood of re-signing the contract is. They might say they have permanant staffers going on FMLA or they might say we are really short staffed and always need travelers.

Always ask open ended questions, you get more information than just simple yes or no questions.

Michelle

[Reigen]

When I start interviewing with other hospitals, what should I ask in order to get a real feel for the enviroment and the folks that work there? With this assignemt, I asked the basics (ratios, etc) and it sounded OK, but now I know the manager was full of SHIOOT. Any suggestions? I can't go thru this again...

This is the list I use, I hope you can find it helpful for you.

Assignment Questions

1. Location and contact information

a. Contact person

b. Telephone number of contact person

c. Address of hospital

2. Unit and hospital information

a. Primary unit

b. Average census

c. Patient to staff ratio

d. Schedule

e. Floating frequency and policies

f. Floating location

g. Pros and cons of unit

h. Overtime availability

i. Parking information and costs

j. Scrub requirements/color

K.Tests required? PBDS,BKAT, Medication?

3. Pay issues

a. Hourly pay rate

b. Tax advantage money available

1) Amount

2) How paid

c. Housing stipend

1) Amount

2) How paid

d. Completion or other bonus paid

1) Is the bonus paid by the company or hospital

2) When is the bonus paid?

3) Can the bonus be rolled into the hourly pay rate?

e. Hours per week required

f. Guaranteed hours

g. Overtime rate

h. Hours required per pay period before overtime is paid

i. Specific holidays for this assignment paid

1) Same as hospital or other specified

2) Amount paid for holiday hours

j. What holidays are required to be worked for this assignment?

k. Is the assignment company or hospital paid?

1) If hospital paid, are benefits affected, such as 401(k)?

2) If hospital paid, are other issues involved with pay?

l. Are all hours guaranteed on this assignment or are there limitations on the guarantee?

Who will be scheduling me?

Is it possible I will ever be cancelled on a shift?

What would be the likelihood of extending the assignment?

What would be the maximum length I could extend?

How soon are you wanting to fill the position?

What support staff is available (nurse aides, lab, techs, RT, PT)?

Is your charting computerized?

What are the pharmacy hours?

Is ther anything about your facillity that is unique unto itself?

Yes, I interview them as well as they interviewing me...

I hope your next travel assignment is better.

Reigen

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Great post!!

Also check out the sticky at the top of the travel forum entitled "questions to ask during interviews"