What are good questions to ask in a nursing interview?

Questions to Ask During an Interview for a Nursing Job

• Answer:

  Nurses want to give their best impression during a job interview. However, the interview also gives nurses an opportunity to assess the position and determine if it's the right fit for them. Any good interview should give the interviewee the opportunity to ask questions about the organization and position, so nurses should prepare some questions to give them a better sense of the job. Training Questions Many nurses participate in job training when they start a new position in a hospital, clinic or physician's office. If your interviewer doesn't bring it up, ask about the training requirements. Find out if the training takes place as part of the workday or on evenings or weekends. Ask if you get paid for it. In addition, many organizations expect their nurses to participate in continuing education to stay up-to-date on current trends in the field. Ask about these requirements, and find out what resources the organization offers to connect you to the right continuing education opportunities. Also, ask if the organization pays for this education. Patient Care Requirements As a nurse, your job is to care for patients, so it is important you understand the organization's expectations before you accept the job. During your interview, ask about the patient-to-nurse ratio. If you prefer providing more personalized care and the job has a high patient-to-nurse ratio, it might not be an ideal fit. In addition, ask how many nurses work on a unit, which will give you a sense of the daily workload for nurses. Basic Job Questions If your interviewer does not provide you with an overview of the job expectations, it's important to gather information about this through questions. Nurses do not work the traditional 9-to-5 shift, so ask about your work hours. Find out how long your shift is and what hours it includes. Ask if you will be expected to be on call. In addition, ask what happens in case you can't come into work. Do you have to find another nurse to pick up your shift, or does the organization fill your shift for you? Organization-Specific Questions Getting a sense of the organization for which you will work is essential in a nursing interview. A few pointed questions can give you a sense of the facility, whether it's a hospital, clinic or physician's office. Ask why the facility is unique in the community. Find out the challenges associated with working in the health care facility or your position. Ask about how you will be managed and how much freedom you have to make patient care decisions. These questions will reveal a lot about the organization.