It pays to be prepared for your nursing interview – not only prepared to answer questions but prepared to ask some, too. After all, it’s not just about getting them to hire you, it’s also about you deciding that this is somewhere you’d like to work. If you need to, write down the questions you want to ask and bring it with you. There’s nothing wrong with having a “cheat sheet” for reference
1. What is the management structure like? Is the top management decentralized, or are they located in the same facility?Understanding how the organization you're applying for works may be the difference between the job you want and the job you don't. It will be essential for you to understand the chain of command in your new position, and a question like this will certainly help you to find that knowledge.
2. What are the responsibilities of the director of nursing, and will I be answering directly to him/her? Knowing what your boss does and doesn't have to deal with will help you to be a better employee. It will help you to empathize on the toughest of days. It will also help you to understand the kinds of things you should take to the director, and the issues that should be handled by others.
3. How large is the unit to which I'll be assigned? Having a sense of the place you'll actually be working is very important as you begin to consider where you want to work. It's possible you function best in a larger or smaller environment, and understanding the size of the unit you'll be working with is important when you make your decision.
4. What type of care system do you use – team, primary, modular, or case management? Is it different in different departments or on different shifts? Different organizations use different strategies to manage patient care, and understanding an organization is the key to fitting in. If you've only dealt with a case management model before, you may not be familiar with the system, and that may make the job a bad fit for you.
5. How will my performance be evaluated? By whom? How often? Evaluation is a part of any job you apply for, and your continued success in that job is usually related to the evaluation procedures your organization uses. As a result, understanding those procedures before you ever begin the job is quite important.
6. Is certification recommended or required for advancement? Nursing is a profession laced with educational requirements. Understanding what certification levels you need to begin with, and understanding which ones will be required for you to move up the pay scale is an important part of the knowledge you'll need to get started with a job.
7. Can unused sick leave and personal time be added to paid vacation time? Can vacation days be accumulated from year to year? A knowledge of your fringe benefits is quite important in deciding whether or not you want to take a particular job. Some jobs offer very little sick and vacation time, other jobs are quite understanding about it. Moreover, policies vary from institution to institution, and knowing about those policies might be an important step in deciding where you want to work.
8. What is the schedule of a normal work week?Is rotation required? How often? For nurses, 9 – 5 just isn't the standard working time frame. Knowing what schedule your employers expect at the start will help you to get a better sense of what you'll be doing, and when you'll be doing it.
9. How does management handle scheduling when short-staffed?What measures are taken when a unit is short-staffed? Unfortunately, being short-staffed is just a part of nursing as a whole. Knowing how your new organization handles that situation will help you to understand how much stress you'll be dealing with on those days when nobody is available.
10. What does orientation include and how long does it last?Will I be paid during orientation? Whatever position you decide to take, orientation of some type will probably be required. Understanding what it will involve and how soon your new paycheck will start is probably an important piece of information in your decision.
The more questions you ask during your interview, the better you’ll understand whether this is, indeed, the job you want. It will also impress upon the hiring manager that you’ve thought hard about what you want as an employee, and that you aren’t just jumping at the first job offer that comes your way. Being a successful job applicant takes more than just charm and a pleasant demeanor – it helps to show them that you’re an intelligent, professional person who gives a lot of thought to what they do.
