Asking the Right Questions
Before you can decide whether to accept a position, find out all you can about your prospective employer.
The questions listed below will help keep you from drawing a blank when the recruiter says “Do you have any questions?”
Jot down the ones that are particularly relevant to your needs.
Educational Opportunities
What inservice programs are available?
Is there a nursing library?
How can I earn CEUs here?
How much time off is allowed for workshops, seminars, and meetings?
Is there a college with a nursing program nearby?
Do you offer tuition reimbursement for job-related study?
Is there a nursing library?
How can I earn CEUs here?
How much time off is allowed for workshops, seminars, and meetings?
Is there a college with a nursing program nearby?
Do you offer tuition reimbursement for job-related study?
Organization of the Nursing Staff
Is management centralized or decentralized?
What is the role of the director of nursing?
What is the size of the unit?
What’s the ratio of patients to nurses from shift to shift?
What’s the ratio of RNs to LPNs and nursing assistants?
What are the roles of the LPNs and nursing assistants?
How much clerical and housekeeping help is available?
What support services (IV team, code team, EKG techs, and so forth) are available?
Orientation for new nurses
What does orientation include and how long does it last?
Will I receive full salary during orientation?
Where are new graduates usually assigned?
What is the role of the director of nursing?
What is the size of the unit?
What’s the ratio of patients to nurses from shift to shift?
What’s the ratio of RNs to LPNs and nursing assistants?
What are the roles of the LPNs and nursing assistants?
How much clerical and housekeeping help is available?
What support services (IV team, code team, EKG techs, and so forth) are available?
Orientation for new nurses
What does orientation include and how long does it last?
Will I receive full salary during orientation?
Where are new graduates usually assigned?
Nursing practices
How would you describe your nursing philosophy?
If it’s set forth in writing, may I see a copy?
How much physician coverage is there at night and on weekends?
How much individual responsibility and autonomy do nurses have on nursing procedures?
What type of care delivery system do you use-team, primary, modular, or case management? On all shifts?
Do nurses have eight-,10-,12-, or 24 hour accountability?
What is the procedure for transferring from one unit or shift to another?
Prospects for advancement
How will my performance be evaluated? By whom? How often?
Is there a career ladder? What is the pay difference at each step?
Do you often promote from within?
Do you pay extra for specialty certification and education?
Is certification recommended or required for advancement?
If it’s set forth in writing, may I see a copy?
How much physician coverage is there at night and on weekends?
How much individual responsibility and autonomy do nurses have on nursing procedures?
What type of care delivery system do you use-team, primary, modular, or case management? On all shifts?
Do nurses have eight-,10-,12-, or 24 hour accountability?
What is the procedure for transferring from one unit or shift to another?
Prospects for advancement
How will my performance be evaluated? By whom? How often?
Is there a career ladder? What is the pay difference at each step?
Do you often promote from within?
Do you pay extra for specialty certification and education?
Is certification recommended or required for advancement?
Working Conditions
What is the schedule of a normal workweek?
How often is rotation required?
How often are nurses expected to float?
How often is overtime necessary?
How many weekends a month do most nurses work?
Is there a contract of employment? May I read it?
What measures are taken when a unit is short-staffed?
Is staff parking available? A cafeteria? Child-care facilities? Staff health services?
Salary and benefits
What is the salary (or salary range) for this job?
Do you give cost-of-living increases?
What are the shift differentials?
How many days of paid vacation will I get the first year? In later years?
Can vacation days be accumulated from year to year?
Can unused sick leave be added to vacation time?
How much of a discount do I receive on medications and inpatient care?
What is your policy on maternity leave?
What kind of insurance and retirement benefits do you provide?
Is malpractice coverage provided?
Community
About how much will I have to pay to rent an apartment (or buy a home) in this area?
Is the hospital accessible by public transportation?
How often is rotation required?
How often are nurses expected to float?
How often is overtime necessary?
How many weekends a month do most nurses work?
Is there a contract of employment? May I read it?
What measures are taken when a unit is short-staffed?
Is staff parking available? A cafeteria? Child-care facilities? Staff health services?
Salary and benefits
What is the salary (or salary range) for this job?
Do you give cost-of-living increases?
What are the shift differentials?
How many days of paid vacation will I get the first year? In later years?
Can vacation days be accumulated from year to year?
Can unused sick leave be added to vacation time?
How much of a discount do I receive on medications and inpatient care?
What is your policy on maternity leave?
What kind of insurance and retirement benefits do you provide?
Is malpractice coverage provided?
Community
About how much will I have to pay to rent an apartment (or buy a home) in this area?
Is the hospital accessible by public transportation?
