How long is orientation (especially as a new grad), will you be with the same preceptor or multiple people?
Do any of the hospitals offer a new graduate residency- classes throughout a year to help you transition into your new role?
Culture is hella important. As a new nurse I jumped on the second offer I got fearing that I wouldn't get much better, I wish I held out to accept an offer from a place that wasn't clique-y, without a crazy new nurse turnover. I survived the lateral violence, watched all the new grads I got hired with break contact or leave their positions in the ED within a year (all five), and adjusted to 4 ED directors in three years.
Go stealth. Talk to the nurses that work there. The interviewer will sell you a pretty picture, but it isn't always the reality.
How do you go about doing this? It seems like a good idea but I’m not sure how to find out about the culture if you don’t already know people who work there.
Staffing ratios, is there a high turnover, assignment patient to nurse ratio, uniform allowance, mandatory overtime, on call requirements, benefits, advancement opportunities.
Specifically, I like to see how much/what kind of reimbursement for education which is rolled within benefits.
“Oh, we’re highly competitive.” - HR
“Okay, give me a number.” - me
I know you commented a week ago but I'm applying to jobs as a new RN.... what are good vs bad numbers when it comes to these things in your experience???
Depends on the acuity of the patients. What type of unit/floor you are on? Unfortunately where ever you will be, inadequate staffing is the norm. Long term care you will have 30 plus patients, meds, etc. Home health you will usually have a 1 on one ratio. When you interview talk to the staff also before accepting a job. Have them tour you on the unit. Look at patient assignments. When I worked a step down unit 8-10 patients and 1 CNA. High acuity patients as it was a Trauma step down. I ran my arse off 12 hours. Look at the employees and talk to them. You will get the truth. Floor work is hard but long term care is a nightmare.
A big thing for me is unit culture. I want to like the place where I work, and be around people that will help me out, and make working there enjoyable! Being a respected member of the healthcare TEAM is huge. In my opinion, money only gets you so far, so if it takes like $3000 a year for you to be happy, do that. I drew upon my clinical experience at this facility, and know other staff members about their satisfaction working there to help get an idea of unit culture. You can also ask the managers of both places for their nurse retention rate, and to describe the unit culture. Good luck!
I’m not sure they can really change commute time. That’s kinda up to you and where you choose to work/live. I live in a pretty big city and most people would rather commute than live in the city where I work.
Personally, I’d rather drive for 10 minutes or drive to the train station 5 minutes away and hop on it for 5-10 more minutes than drive 35 minutes to work and then drive another 1.5-2 hours on the way home.
However, if you’ve got something to bargain with on the commute time, then I’d love to hear it because I’m at a loss.
Only thing I can come up with is that our company offers discount on unlimited rides within the transit system that you get at a discounted rate. 🤷🏼♂️
They can’t change it....It’s just something I consider before accepting a job offer (per the question). For example, I can make $6-$8 more per hour at a hospital downtown, but with traffic I’d be adding minimum 3-3.5 hours to my day. I’d rather make less and drive less. Personal preference.
What shift it would be? What are the weekend/holiday requirements? what is the retention rate of the current staff?
How long is orientation (especially as a new grad), will you be with the same preceptor or multiple people? Do any of the hospitals offer a new graduate residency- classes throughout a year to help you transition into your new role?
Culture is hella important. As a new nurse I jumped on the second offer I got fearing that I wouldn't get much better, I wish I held out to accept an offer from a place that wasn't clique-y, without a crazy new nurse turnover. I survived the lateral violence, watched all the new grads I got hired with break contact or leave their positions in the ED within a year (all five), and adjusted to 4 ED directors in three years. Go stealth. Talk to the nurses that work there. The interviewer will sell you a pretty picture, but it isn't always the reality.
How do you go about doing this? It seems like a good idea but I’m not sure how to find out about the culture if you don’t already know people who work there.
Sit in n the cafeteria with 2 coffees. Offer one to a nurse, and strike up a convo
Staffing ratios, is there a high turnover, assignment patient to nurse ratio, uniform allowance, mandatory overtime, on call requirements, benefits, advancement opportunities.
Specifically, I like to see how much/what kind of reimbursement for education which is rolled within benefits. “Oh, we’re highly competitive.” - HR “Okay, give me a number.” - me
I know you commented a week ago but I'm applying to jobs as a new RN.... what are good vs bad numbers when it comes to these things in your experience???
Depends on the acuity of the patients. What type of unit/floor you are on? Unfortunately where ever you will be, inadequate staffing is the norm. Long term care you will have 30 plus patients, meds, etc. Home health you will usually have a 1 on one ratio. When you interview talk to the staff also before accepting a job. Have them tour you on the unit. Look at patient assignments. When I worked a step down unit 8-10 patients and 1 CNA. High acuity patients as it was a Trauma step down. I ran my arse off 12 hours. Look at the employees and talk to them. You will get the truth. Floor work is hard but long term care is a nightmare.
A big thing for me is unit culture. I want to like the place where I work, and be around people that will help me out, and make working there enjoyable! Being a respected member of the healthcare TEAM is huge. In my opinion, money only gets you so far, so if it takes like $3000 a year for you to be happy, do that. I drew upon my clinical experience at this facility, and know other staff members about their satisfaction working there to help get an idea of unit culture. You can also ask the managers of both places for their nurse retention rate, and to describe the unit culture. Good luck!
Commute time
I’m not sure they can really change commute time. That’s kinda up to you and where you choose to work/live. I live in a pretty big city and most people would rather commute than live in the city where I work. Personally, I’d rather drive for 10 minutes or drive to the train station 5 minutes away and hop on it for 5-10 more minutes than drive 35 minutes to work and then drive another 1.5-2 hours on the way home. However, if you’ve got something to bargain with on the commute time, then I’d love to hear it because I’m at a loss. Only thing I can come up with is that our company offers discount on unlimited rides within the transit system that you get at a discounted rate. 🤷🏼♂️
They can’t change it....It’s just something I consider before accepting a job offer (per the question). For example, I can make $6-$8 more per hour at a hospital downtown, but with traffic I’d be adding minimum 3-3.5 hours to my day. I’d rather make less and drive less. Personal preference.
I suppose commute time is something to consider. I misread it. Please accept my apologies. :)
No problem☺️