5 Questions to Ask at an Interview for Nursing
By Elizabeth Marcant, Contributor
Questions to ask at an interview for nursing jobs range from getting clarification on job duties to finding out more about the facility you'll be working with. Asking the right questions not only sets you apart from other candidates as a professional, but it helps you determine if the position is a fit for your career goals and lifestyle.
Check out five questions to ask at nursing interviews suggested by some experts, and then browse the open nursing positions at TravelNursing.com to take the next step to landing an interview for a new nursing job.
5 questions you may want to ask at your next nursing interview
Plan ahead and show up at your next nursing interview with questions that matter to you. Here are five potential questions to ask at an interview for nurses that you might want to consider.
1. What is the average nurse to patient ratio?
Rachel Ramon is a certified RN and AGPCNP-BC working as a Cardiothoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Confirming policies around patient-nurse ratios is top on her questions to ask at nursing interviewslist.
The answer to this question tells you several things, including what type of workload nurses are expected to carry. It also helps you understand whether the facility supports nurses and is likely to set you up for success or whether it skates as close as possible to legal ratios to bolster the bottom line.
2. How would you describe the culture on your floor/unit?
Ramos also suggests asking about nursing culture to ensure it's a good fit for your personality. Is the unit fast paced and competitive? Do nurses bond together closely as friends? Outside of some obvious things, there's no right answer, and RNs looking for a new job should try to find a culture that they think will support their own career goals and personality.
3. How often would I be required to float?
Floating can be challenging for any nurse, but especially for newer RNs who may not be familiar with the requirements of different floors and departments. Find out what the procedure for floating is in a potential employer facility and how nurses are supported when they do have to float.
4. Is there compensation for advance degrees or certifications?
Naseema McElroy, RNC-OB, MSN, MHA, runs Financially Intentional, where she encourages people of all backgrounds and careers to get intentional about managing their money. She points out that questions about compensation definitely belong in a nursing interview and specifically notes that nurses should ask if special credentials can be leveraged into larger paychecks.
It's something to ask if you have advanced degrees or certifications, but you might also want to know the answer if you're planning to return to school. This is especially true if you plan to stick with an employer for a long time —you'll want to know your commitment (in time and expense) to nursing education can result in return on that investment.
5. Is mandatory training compensated?
McElroy also suggests asking about compensation for mandatory training or continuing education. While nurses may be on the hook for the costs of CEs related to nursing licensure, if employers mandate certain training, ask whether it's on or off the clock.These are only a few questions to ask at an interview for nursing positions. Remember to make your questions pertinent to your goals and concerns. If you're applying for a travel nursing job, for example, you may have a very different set of questions to ask.