Some No-Brainer Interview Tips
November 14, 2008
Some No-Brainer Interview Tips
Whether you are interviewing by phone for a travel nursing assignment, or in person at a local health care facility for a nursing job, there are a few do’s and don’ts for your interview. These may seem like no-brainers to many, but there are a frightening number who must be told and/or reminded of basic social skills.
First of all, turn off your cell phone! If there is the possibility of an emergency during your interview, either postpone the interview or notify anyone who might need you that you will be unavailable for about an hour. Otherwise shut it off. Any calls can be returned when your interview has concluded.
In any social setting it’s just plain rude to interrupt your conversation to take a phone call or respond to a message. Yet, sit and people-watch in any public place for just a few minutes and you will see a multitude of people suddenly ignoring their present company and answering their phones. Sometimes they even wander away and talk for a really rude amount of time. This is simply not acceptable in the workplace. Turn it off and give your interview your undivided attention.
Second dress appropriately. If you’re on the phone this may not matter, but in person it says a lot about you and your professionalism. Even on the phone, however, if you’re uncomfortable, this may come through in your voice or intonations.
In person, the way you dress will tell a lot about who you are, your habits and values. If you look like a slob, this reflects that your work style may be very casual and sloppy as well. If you are well groomed and well dressed you tell the interviewer you take pride in yourself and in your work.
If you will be going to an interview straight from work, make sure that your scrubs or uniform is neat and clean. If you work on a unit where this is not possible, take a change of clothes with you. At the very least warn the interviewer that you will be coming straight from work and won’t have time to change first.
Third check your teeth in the mirror. Take a last look at yourself before you go in to any interview. Do you have food stuck in your teeth from lunch? Were you literally pulling your hair out all day? Do you need a little makeup? Don’t overdo any perfume or scents! Are your hands and fingernails clean? And what about your shoes?
Body language is another important issue to be aware of. Even when speaking on the phone, sit up straight and pay close attention to the conversation. Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact often and smile.
Be prepared for the questions. If you don’t understand any question or don’t know how to answer it, be honest. Ask for some clarification. If you don’t have an answer, make a note and tell them you’ll find out and get back to them. Don’t try to bluff your way through. Take a deep breath and think about your answers before blurting them out.
Have at least a couple of questions prepared to ask the interviewer. Do your homework and know something about the facility. If all of your questions were already answered in the interview, it’s Ok to say something like, “I was going to ask you about your staffing ratios and how you determine acuity, but you’ve already covered that.” It still shows you are interested in this position and this facility. You might also just go back to an issue you want to be very clear on such as whether travel nurses are expected to float.
Never bad mouth any previous or present employer. If you are leaving because you can’t stand the place, that’s your issue. As far as anyone else is concerned you’re looking for new challenges, different opportunities, a change, r other positive note.
Always say thank you for the interview, offer a firm hand shake and again make eye contact. Ask when they will make a decision. Tell them to please let you know either way.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and is the owner/author of TheNursingSite.com
©2008 by Ultimate Nurse.com All Rights Reserved
Why Should Nurses Vote?
October 31, 2008
Why should nurses vote?
What’s at stake in this election for nurses? There are two vital issues; the economy and health care. In many ways these two issues are intertwined and they both impact nurses immensely.
In a struggling economy, be assured that hospital administrators will be making cuts to maintain some margin of profit or keep losses to a minimum. That means fewer nurses and a shortage of beds for those who need them most. In other health care settings, administrators will face similar financial decisions and will be making cutbacks in staffing as well.
As the economy began to take a turn for the worse several months ago, many non-active nurses returned to the field for their own financial security. This factor helped to temporarily address some of the shortage of nurses which in turn affected opportunities for foreign born nurses as well as travel nurses. With more permanent staff available, the need to help nurses immigrate or to use travel nurses has declined in some areas, and not in others.
Now as the economy worsens, the fear is that hospitals and other healthcare facilities will have to make mild to severe cutbacks. In states where mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios exist, hospitals will be forced to take a closer look at how much they can cut back and still offer quality healthcare in their communities. Mandatory overtime could and probably will become even more of an issue if that proves to be more economical for the facility.
Each of the Presidential candidates has expressed a view of the health care crisis in this country and has developed a comprehensive plan to address the issue. They have each made note of the nurse’s role in the health care system and expressed their level of support of nurses. After careful consideration, the American Nurses Association has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL).
Each of the candidate’s plans for economic reform and for health care reform shows a deep concern for the American people in keeping with their own political party views.
The 2004 Presidential election was decided by a little more than 500 votes. This election stands to be a very close one as well. There are 2.9 million nurses in the U.S. and health care is the largest industry in this country. Your vote is very important. Please be sure to exercise your right to VOTE on November 4.
No matter who you vote for, the important issue is that you get out and VOTE on Nov. 4. Many states allow early voting to help those who may have scheduling conflicts on voting day. For nurses, this may be a very useful alternative, especially for those who work 7AM to 7PM and may not get to the polls in time to cast their ballot. Absentee ballots are another alternative, but it may be too late to request one now.
With rights come responsibilities. Make sure you make an informed choice. In many elections across the country, voters will be choosing state and local representatives as well as voting on ballot initiatives. Read your voter information carefully and research the candidates and issues; especially in regard to how they impact nurses and healthcare.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and is author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
© 2008 UltimateNurse.com. All Rights Reserved.
Questions to Ask in Your Job Interview
October 8, 2008
Questions to Ask in Your Job Interview
When preparing for your job interview, here are some of the questions you should consider. Be sure to adapt them to your own needs and goals. Add or subtract from this list as appropriate for your unique situation. Make your own list and take it with you to the interview.
Understand the orientation and continuing education process offered.
- How long will my orientation last?
- Will I be offered additional time if I feel I need it?
- Will my orientation be provided on the shift I will be working?
- Will I have a preceptor or mentor?
- Is there an internship program for new grads?
- How often do you offer in-services and other education opportunities?
- What are your expectations for new hires during the first six months?
- Are nurse educators available on all shifts?
Ask about the working conditions.
- What is the typical nurse-to-patient ratio on this unit? Is there a maximum?
- What are the days/hours available? How long are the shifts?
- What is the policy for weekend and holiday rotation?
- Is there flexibility to the schedule? Can nurses trade days off with each other?
- Who does the scheduling?
- Is there mandatory overtime? How often?
- Is there an on-call responsibility? If so, explain the requirements and conditions.
- How many nurses work on this unit? On each shift?
- How long have most of the nurses worked on this unit? (Turn over rate?)
- How long has this position been vacant? Why did the previous person leave?
Then ask about the management and administration.
- How do you motivate your employees?
- What do you do to boost morale?
- What is your management style?
- How much autonomy do your nurses feel they have?
- How do you demonstrate that you value your nursing staff?
- How often are performance evaluations done and what is the process?
- How much input does the staff have about patient care and other issues on the unit?
- How do you handle conflict between staff members?
- Are there any challenges that this unit or facility is facing or anticipates in the next year?
- Would you support a nurse looking to transfer for career growth or hold him/her back due to your own staffing issues?
- How do you ensure safe working conditions for your staff?
- What are the career growth opportunities?
- Why would I want to work here?
Salary and Benefits
Typically the interviewer will bring up this subject first so wait and follow their lead, but be sure you understand thoroughly and make your negotiations up front.
- What is the salary? Is there a shift differential involved?
- What is the salary policy regarding weekends, holidays and overtime?
- What is included in the benefits package? Is there a salary adjustment allowed if some benefits are waived such as health insurance that your spouse provides?
- How much vacation, sick leave and other time off and how is the time accrued?
- How are raises handled? Are there merit increases, cost-of-living adjustments, etc.? How often are they given? What is the typical amount?
- Are there any tuition reimbursement plans?
- Are there any incentives such as sign-on bonuses, concierge services, mortgage or housing assistance plans, etc.? What are the specifics of these options?
Have a clear understanding of the position and assess how it measures up to your needs and goals before accepting any offer of employment.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN
Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and the owner/author of TheNursingSite.com
©2008 by UltimateNurse.com. All Rights Reserved.
How to Use the Interview Process
October 8, 2008
How to Use the Interview Process
The interview process is a time for the employer as well as the applicant to exchange information. It is not just about the employer learning more about you. This is your chance to find out more about the employer and the job at hand.
You might be an excellent choice from their perspective, but how does this position and employer fit your needs and goals? To assess this, you need to first understand what your own needs and goals are. These will be unique to you.
If you are currently employed and looking for a change, consider the factors that have driven you to this point. Make a list of the pros and cons of your present situation and prioritize these points. What do you need in a new position to make it a more satisfying and rewarding situation?
You might need a change of venue. Perhaps you need a slower paced environment or maybe even crave something more challenging and faster paced. Maybe you need a more positive experience such as a change away from hospice or oncology. Or perhaps you’re looking for a career path opportunity.
If this is your first nursing job, you will need to consider a few other issues such as the orientation and learning opportunities for new grads.
If you are a travel nurse, you will reevaluate your needs and goals much more frequently and will have perhaps perfected the interview process with recruiters as well as with facilities.
Being prepared for your interview will help you to demonstrate the fact that you are organized, able to prioritize, and have a strong understanding of your personal goals and needs.
Once you have completed the list of priorities for your new job, consider some of the questions you may need to ask in your interview and how to fine tune them to your individual needs and goals. These questions will also help you to demonstrate your knowledge base and interest in the opportunity.
Arrive for your interview early and be professional. Be neat, clean and well-groomed. That includes your hair, nails and any facial hair. Your clothing should be clean and professional.
Be sure you have all of your documentation with you such a licenses, social security card, and names and contact information for references. Have a black pen that writes which you are comfortable using. Be neat and legible with all of your paperwork.
Prepare your answers about any gaps or other issues in your resume. Be ready to discuss your skills and talents as well as your expectations and goals. If you need a second to consider an answer, say so instead of stumbling, stammering or giving the deadly “deer in the headlights” look.
Use direct eye contact and be aware of your body language. Thank the person for their time and this opportunity. Send a follow up thank you note or email. Remember that anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is too good to be true. Take some time to consider any offer that is made.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN
Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book, and is owner/author of TheNursingSite.com
©2008 by UltimateNurse.com. All Rights Reserved.
Is Nursing a Profession?
September 12, 2008
Is Nursing a Profession?
There are those who say that nursing will never become a profession until all nurses are required to have at least a BSN. There are others who will argue that the diploma and ADN nurses are better nurses. This debate has gone on for years and will continue for some time to come.
There was a point several years back when progress towards making a BSN mandatory was making headway. Hospitals began only hiring BSN nurses and had even begun to cutback on hiring LP/VNs who then had to look to other venues such as retirement and nursing homes for employment. And then the nursing shortage began to make an impact and it didn’t matter what preparation nurses have as long as they are a licensed nurse.
Not all states have the ability to survey, collect and analyze data from the nursing workforce, so we have to look at figures from 2004. At that time, greater than 51% of the workforce had less than a BSN; 17.5% of RNs were diploma prepared, 33.7% had an ADN, 34.2% had their BSN and 13% had advanced degrees of an MSN or a PhD in nursing.
It is doubtful that a dramatic shift in BSN prepared nurses has occurred since 2004, and with shortages of nurse educators it is not like to happen any time soon. Students are pursuing any avenue open to them including the LP/VN route with an eye to bridge to RN or BSN.
And so the debate over whether nursing is truly a profession will continue. The fact is however, that nurses are the backbone of the health care system. The shortage of nurses has made an impact and brought this point to the forefront. Nurses need to continue to demand respect for our contributions and it is essential to continue to conduct ourselves in a professional manner.
Nursing is a lifelong learning process. No student graduates from nursing school knowing everything they will ever need to know. Health care itself is constantly evolving as technology improves and more is learned about medical science. Techniques, procedures, medications and treatments continue to change.
Nursing roles have evolved over time as well. Nurses have many more responsibilities now than ever before, including the fact that early nurses worked very hard and also swabbed the floors and made bandages, etc.
Continuing education is mandatory in most states. Career advancement requires more formal education. Those who prefer bedside nursing don’t necessarily need more formal education. But clinical specialists and nurse managers do need at least a BSN. Nurse educators are usually at least MSN prepared and professors have a PhD.
To the outside world, nursing may not meet the criteria to be labeled a profession but to those who work the work and talk the talk, nursing is one of the most rewarding of all professions.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and is the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
©2008 by UltimateNurse.com All Rights Reserved
New Nurses Need to Learn How to Advocate for Themselves
September 4, 2008
New Nurses Need to Learn How to Advocate for Themselves
As a new nurse, you need to learn to advocate for yourself. There is a critical nursing shortage and most new nurses are going to find themselves working on a unit that is very short staffed.
If you are lucky enough to have a preceptor assigned to you, you need to consider the fact that all too often that person isn’t going to be ecstatic about having an extra burden, regardless of whether or not they like being a preceptor.
A Few Tips
Here are a few tips to help you and your preceptor make this a positive experience. Remember that you are not expected to be perfect. You are however, expected to observe the primary rule of DO NO HARM and to ask for help if you don’t know how to do something. If you haven’t been checked off on doing something by yourself, you are expected to ask for supervision.
You are also expected to do your homework. Yes, you still need to do some research and studying on your own time. There will always be new drugs, treatments, procedures, diseases and conditions to learn about.
You should not waste your preceptor’s time. Be prepared. Gather the supplies you will need ahead of time and prepare the patient. Know how a procedure should be done in your facility. (Read your Policy and Procedure Manual, AKA the P&P.) Be prepared to answer questions from the patient and your preceptor. And be prepared to ask relevant questions. Observe and learn the tips and techniques being demonstrated.
Offer to help your preceptor with some of his/her patient load to ease her burden. Help with procedures and routine tasks or care so s/he has time to help you. Don’t do this at the expense of leaving your own tasks undone.
Smile and say Thank you!
Always say thank you, and ask how you can help your co-workers. Smile and use direct eye contact. Be sincere.
Not all preceptors are created equal and not everyone is cut out to teach. If you can’t find a way to work with your preceptor, ask for a change. But don’t place blame and make accusations. Learn to say something like, “Susan is a great preceptor, but I’m more of a visual learner, is there someone else I could work with?” Or, “John has been so patient with me, but I just always feel so intimidated by him because he’s such a good nurse, I think I would do better with someone a little more laid back.”
Speak to your supervisor privately about any issues you have. Give him/her the opportunity to offer suggestions to make this work out. Try them and if they don’t help, stand up for yourself and again say you need something different.
Give Yourself a Year
Be patient. Do the best job you know how to do, and it will all get easier. Don’t expect that to happen for about a year. Think about it, that’s why there are so many books about your first year as a nurse. You’ll get there!
If It’s Too Stressful
If you are way too stressed by your job, you won’t be happy and you won’t do your best. Remember that if the unit is too fast paced and short handed, you don’t have to stay there. Talk to your supervisor and ask for a transfer to another unit where you can have a better chance to learn and refine your skills at a slower pace. It will be better for all. Don’t take no for an answer. Advocate for yourself. If the facility can’t accommodate you, you may need to look elsewhere. This isn’t the only nursing job available!
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
©2008 by Ultimate Nurse.com All Rights Reserved
Are You Working on This Labor Day?
September 1, 2008
Are You Working on This Labor Day?
It’s Labor Day, a holiday in the U.S. to honor the working citizens. Congress made the first Monday in September a federal holiday in 1894. It is usually celebrated with picnics, BBQs, parades and a day of rest for workers. Symbolically it represents the end of summer, and for many years, school started the next day.
Much of the rest of the world honors the working citizen on May 1, or May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day.
For most U.S. nurses, Labor Day represents one of the “lesser” holidays. Typically employers require nurses to work at least one of the “lesser” holidays as well as at least one of the “major” holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving.
More often than not, nurses will work several holidays each year and typically every other weekend. This is not something most student nurses or those considering a career in nursing ever seem to think about. Sick people don’t suddenly get well for the holidays and hospitals don’t close down for the weekends.
This means nurses often sacrifice a lot of fun and family time for their jobs. This can add to the stress level and cause resentment to build. Nurses need to be sure to reward themselves for their sacrifices as well as for a job well done.
This is not a profession that provides a built in reward system. Nurses don’t often see the benefits of their care because patients move on to another level (I.e. from ICU to a regular floor) or are discharged home long before they are “well.”
Nursing is typically not a nine-to-five job. Those considering a career in nursing should explore what this means and how it can impact their lives before starting a nursing program.
There are many roles for nurses that can support a more “normal” life style, but they usually require a year or two of acute care experience first. These can include such roles as school nurses, insurance nurses, disability case managers, and medical office nurses.
Home health nurses can often find a lighter or less demanding holiday and weekend
requirement. They can also sometimes juggle their patient visits around a child’s sporting event or stop in to see their child get an award at a school assembly.
Nursing is a demanding profession and requires a great deal of commitment from the individuals. For those who truly enjoy helping others, it can be one of the most rewarding careers of all. But it is not without sacrifices.
As we celebrate this holiday honoring working citizens, think about nurses today! Thank you for a job well done!!!
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book, and is the owner/author of TheNursingSite.com
©2008 Ultimate Nurse.com All Rights Reserved
Retention of Staff is One of the Biggest Challenges for Nurses
August 28, 2008
Retention of Staff is One of the Biggest Challenges for Nurses
Nursing is one of the most versatile professions, and yet if you ask a disgruntled nurse why s/he is thinking about leaving nursing instead of changing specialties, the answer will more than likely be that s/he feels stuck.
In the midst of a severe nursing shortage, retention is one of the biggest challenges the nursing profession faces. In 2000, for example, it is estimated that 500,000 nurses in the U.S. were not working as nurses. They were either staying home raising children or working in other fields such as real estate, retail sales and education. If all of those nurses had been working as nurses, there would have been no shortage of nurses.
The advent of managed care in the nineties brought about so many drastic cuts and changes that resulted in some of the worst working conditions for nurses in the history of the profession.
Studies proving high nurse-to-patient ratios negatively impact patient safety and outcomes also helped convince insurance companies and facility administrators that work conditions had to improve. The unionization of the nursing workforce, helped to improve many of these situations, but much more has yet to be done.
Now Medicare has implemented stringent rules for not paying for additional patient expenses related to specific medical errors. This should be driving the point home even further that nurses need better working conditions if the quality of patient care is to improve.
The financial downturn in the past couple of years has brought many nurses back into the field, but with a shortage of over 800,000 nurses in the U.S. being predicted by 2020, retention of nurses is more important than ever.
Helping nurses to transition to new fields when they are burned out or no longer physically or emotionally capable of working in a particular area is one of the ways we can and must work to help to solve the nursing shortage.
Using older, retiring nurses as mentors for new nurses for example will keep the masses of Baby Boomers ready to retire from leaving the profession all together. The valuable resources from the wealth of knowledge and experience these nurses have to share should not be lost.
Most new grad nurses are encouraged to spend a year in basic med/surg nursing before seeking out a specialty. This helps to provide them with a broad background of experience and confidence in their skills.
However, in recent years, many more nurses have chosen (and been allowed) to go straight into a specialty. This can be very stressful for the new grad, but many times they would prefer the stress to being “bored” with a more mundane experience. A few years down the road they may live to regret this decision. More often than not, these nurses seem to be the ones who feel stuck because they are too specialized.
Some specialties naturally lend themselves to others better than others, but if you want out of the high stress of the ICU, moving into the ER isn’t necessarily going to reduce your stress. The hospital may only allow this transition however because of the skill levels involved. They may frown on losing such a technically skilled nurse to the Labor and Delivery team. And so instead of retaining the nurse, s/he decides to move on or leave nursing all together in order to reduce the amount of job related stress.
Stress is relevant, and each field of nursing has varying levels of stress. Being able to transition to another department, or to move into another field such as public health, home health or forensic nursing can afford nurses the opportunity to remain a nurse, while making the lifestyle changes necessary for their own physical and emotional health.
The nursing profession has to learn not only to think, but to live, outside the box in order to retain the nursing workforce we have as well as to attract new nurses to the profession.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN. Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and is the author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
Do You Love Nursing and Hate Your Job?
July 18, 2008
Do you love nursing and hate your job?
Most nurses will tell you that they love being a nurse, but they don’t like their job. Being a nurse is never easy. No one ever said it was going to be. It can be one of the most rewarding and yet physically and emotionally draining professions.
Then add in the fact that there is shortage of nurses so you’re bound to be overworked and inevitably underpaid. So what can you do if you don’t like your job? Try a new one, or change something about your job that makes it better for you.
Change is never an easy thing to live through. The degree of change will directly affect the degree of difficulty. So sometimes just a little change is all you can handle. However, sometimes a big change is what you really need. Avoiding change is not the answer.
Deciding what and how to change things can be frustrating and all too often, nurses just give up all together and leave the nursing profession. This happens most often when the nurse is completely burned out. S/he has nothing more to give and has no energy to focus on what to do and how to make things better.
Before you get to this point, stop and take care of you! Nurses are great at teaching others how to care for themselves, but they don’t listen to their own advise. You have to put yourself first and take care of you so that you can continue to take care of others.
You must do something everyday to replenish yourself. Take fifteen minutes to do something just for you. If that means locking yourself in the bathroom with a good book, a piece of chocolate cake, some knitting, crochet or other needlework, or just a few minutes of piece and quiet; just do it. Soak in the tub, or give yourself a facial. Or just sit and take deep cleansing breaths.
Men seem to be natural at doing this regularly. They often burn off their frustrations shooting some hoops or lifting weights. Exercise is a great way to leave your frustrations behind you. A run or a brisk walk can do wonders for anyone’s spirit. Whatever you do to make a little time for yourself, do it regularly and look forward to it each day. Reward yourself.
You may find that you like your job after all. If not, you’ll be better able to focus on what you need to do about it. Begin by making a list of the things you like about your job (if anything) and then the things you don’t like.
See if you can focus in on what it is that you need to change. Look at the things on your list. Is it the people you don’t like? Or one person in particular? Is it the days or the hours? Is it the kind of patients? Is it the setting? Is it the money?
All of these things you can change. Some you may be able to change more readily than you think. But do something about it. The longer you stick it out, the more unhappy and frustrated you’re going to be.
The nursing shortage works in your favor because you have options. A transfer to another department may not be easy because your boss will probably try to block it and not lose your warm body. But talk to him/her and explain your frustrations. Perhaps a trade can be made with another unit for someone who’s unhappy there.
If the main problem is your boss, you can always say that you’re burned out and you need a change. You don’t have to point fingers. That’s not going to change things. You are the one who needs a change and you’re asking for his/her help to do it.
Sometimes you may have to quit the job outright and find another. The beauty of the nursing profession is that it offers so many choices. Don’t let yourself believe that you’re stuck! Try something new. Browse choices here.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN
Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book and author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.