Interviews will happen, unless you plan to work in the first unit you’ve been hired too and never leave. At one point will transfer units, move cities, or hospitals. If you decide to travel expect an interview with each assignment. Preparation is key to ease the interview process. Do you have any questions after the session? Ask none and you could appear either unprepared or uninterested. Here are a few questions to ask.
#1 What’s the RN to patient ratio?
The patient ratio shows the workload. The number of patients give an estimate of what to expect. Now, with that said, be careful. When you ask this question, they might tell you the matrix or the ideal ratio. What ratio do nurses typically work? Is a follow up question. I’ve seen many hospitals where their matrix doesn’t match what the daily work load actually looks like.
#2 What is the CNA to patient ratio?
Every hospital has a different name for the same position: Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA), Patient Technicians (PT), Patient Care Technician (PCT), and Nurse Technician (NT). They help you as a nurse with turns, cleaning patient. ambulate, and vitals. Otherwise, all patient needs fall to the nurse.
#3 Is there mandatory overtime or on-call shifts?
Some nurses love to pick up shifts. I prefer to finish my 3-shifts and go home. One hospital gave every nurse a mandatory on-call once a month. I thought forced work would bring in more money. It was common to have an on-call a week apart. 98% of on-call shifts are called in and worked on a different unit. I won’t work at a hospital that has mandatory shifts. Ask questions.
#4 Does the unit have a high turnover rate?
If a unit goes through staff quickly, ask why? This should raise some red flags. Sometimes they have a group of nurses that started an MSN program together and will finish, or several nurses have become pregnant within a few months, or a toxic unit with poor management, no support or respect for staff.
#5 Is there a unit culture?
By the term culture, I mean the combination of leadership interaction and teamwork promotion. I’ve seen units that scheduled day trips, potluck dinners, and after work outing inviting everyone without a mandatory appearance. A different side of a coworker brings about a higher level of camaraderie. It’s building memories outside of work. Some units go bowling, go out to dinner, or invite the entire unit.
#6 How was the staff treated during the pandemic?
Pay attention to both the answer and their body language. Several hospitals across the USA treated staff with mandated shifts, no PPE, no mental health, taking care of patients sicker than they are used to or more, with minimal staff. The pandemic burned out nurses to not only leave the bedside but the career.
#7 Does the unit use travel nurses?
If a unit uses travel nurses, they do not have their own staff. Over time, you will find more staffing issues. A turn over of recent graduates or group of new travels. Depending on your own experience, this may not bother you, but a brand new nurse may not feel comfortable with a constant rotation of different nurses.
#8 Does the unit have seasoned nurses?
This is the other end of the spectrum. The number of seasoned nurses will give you a feeling of how they keep nurses. Long-term nurses enjoy the team, patients, and management.
#9 Are there many new nurses?
When I say new nurse, I mean recent graduate. The answer will gauge what you can expect and, depending on your own preference options, if you’re a newer nurse or seasoned and prefer a knowledge nurse, or you’re a seasoned nurse that’s not a fan of teaching other nurses. Small things can affect your work experience.
Every interview I have ever had, whether for nursing, retail, fast food, or any other, had ended their interview with this question. Don’t be thrown off. Ask questions that will add insight to your occupational decision.