Nurse Training

Being a successful RN requires a lot of on-the-job nurse training, as nursing school only goes so far in preparing you to be a fully functioning nurse. A brand new nurse on a unit has a long road ahead before he or she will feel confident in their skills and abilities. An orientation program is designed to ease this transition and to ensure that the nurse has the skills and competency to provide good patient care.

The truth is, on-the-job nurse training programs are not standard and can vary greatly between facilities. Most will have a classroom portion that discusses the policies and procedures of the hospital or care facility. Then, a period of working with a preceptor typically follows. A preceptor is an experienced nurse who is responsible for "showing the ropes" of patient care and ensuring the new nurse is familiar with the workings of the unit. The time that a new nurse will spend with a preceptor is not consistent and can vary, depending on the facility and the unit.

There is a new trend in on-the-job nurse training: the new graduate nurse residency program. These programs accept multiple new graduates, and through a combination of classroom work, clinical experience and preceptorship, they help new nurses transition to full competency and confidence. Some of these programs can last up to a year, depending on the facility.

A lack of proper training for the new nurse can lead to a myriad of problems. The new nurse can feel overwhelmed by his or her responsibilities and lack of support. They may seek employment in another field or within another facility. Patient care may suffer from a less experienced nurse. It is important for employers to recognize the needs of a new nurse and to help them through this transitional period. It is also important for new graduates to advocate for themselves and their level of confidence in their nursing practice.

Nurses who have been working in the field for some time still need to keep up with their studies as medicine advances. This is typically done through continuing education credits. Many states require a certain amount of these credits to be completed each year for a nurse to retain his or her license. They are available through the Internet and cover hundreds of topics. CE credits can also be earned by completing certification classes, like ACLS (advanced cardiovascular life support) and PALS (pediatric advanced life support).

Nurse training is extensive, and is never complete. From the intense orientation of a new nurse to the continuing education of a seasoned nurse, learning is an essential part of this profession.

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Interviewing For a Nursing Position?

When you’re interviewing for a nursing position, you’ll most likely be asked about your skills and experience, your training, and your interests. This will differ depending on the situation, whether it is your first job after becoming licensed as a Registered Nurse or a career ladder opportunity that builds on your experience and advanced education as a Registered Nurse. With either situation it is important for interviewees to put their best foot forward and outline their qualifications in as much detail as possible. Below you will find some of the most pertinent preparation tips for Registered Nurses, whether they are seasoned nurses or just starting out in their career.

Familiarize yourself with the employer before the interview. Research the healthcare organization to learn about their goals, values and structure. You want to discover all you can about the specific anticipated nursing job as well. The more knowledge you have before you arrive for the actual interview, the more confidence you will have during the interview, resulting in the ability to demonstrate to the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

Prepare your credentials and professional resume that outline relevant coursework, clinical experiences and any other important accomplishments. The more information you can provide your potential employer, the more they will understand what you will bring to the position.

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What To Expect From A Nursing Career

Expect to be in demand. Nursing is definitely a growing field, and now is a good time to get into it. If you choose to go into nursing, you should be able to find a job-no matter where you live. With one of the most numerous generations in American history getting ready to retire, demand for nursing is only expected to increase in the years ahead. As a nurse, expect to have the upper hand in salary and other job negotiations for decades to come.

Expect high pay. Because of the high demand for nurses, pay in this industry has never been better.

Expect flexible shifts. Because of shortages in the field, hospitals are doing everything they can to make the job easier on the employees-including offering flexible shifts. It's not unheard of nowadays to find hospitals willing to be flexible in terms of when you work.

Expect a demanding job. No matter what field of nursing you choose to go into, the truth is that nursing is not for the faint of heart. Your shift will no doubt be busy and eventful, and you'll need comfortable shoes. You may get called in to cover extra shifts-those nursing shortages can be a challenge as well as a blessing. The nursing industry is taking great pains to improve working conditions for nurses, in order to improve retention and raise recruitment rates. However, nursing isn't an easy job-you will face challenges every day.

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What Recruiters Look For In a Nursing Candidate

Here are 2 more things recruiters look for in nursing candidates.

--Polished Professionalism
As you move through the job-search process, it’s important to position yourself so you stand out to recruiters. Major recommends customizing your résumé to every position you’re applying for, and being responsive to calls, voice mails and emails from recruiters. Use the keywords from the description of the job you’re applying for.

In addition, you should strive to behave like a professional at all times,. A team attitude is a must, as well as accountability. Because you work with dynamic and growing health care organizations, they look for nurses who have a desire to grow in their careers, expand their skills and further their educations.

Don’t be afraid to check in with recruiters. Follow up, follow up, follow up – folks are busy and may not remember or even take time to get back to you, so make it a point to reach back out to them weekly; you won’t be perceived as a pest, but rather someone who is responsible and interested.

--Desire to Grow
Once you get your first job, don’t stop there. Build hours toward getting a certification that can boost your own sense of accomplishment while adding value to your résumé.  According to an American Nurses Credentialing Center survey of nurse managers, 86 percent said they would hire a certified nurse over a noncertified nurse, if all other factors were equal. A vast majority of those respondents said the main reason was that certification proves a nurse has a knowledge base in a given specialty.

Eventually, you will want to consider whether furthering your education would be useful. As the demand for physicians increases, so too does the demand for advanced practitioners, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

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2 Things Recruiters Look For

You’ve probably heard a lot about the nursing shortage. But if you’re a recent graduate, you may be wondering, if there’s a shortage, why does it take so long for entry-level nurses to get hired?

Hiring managers have said that the gap reflects the difference between the skills entry-level nurses possess and the specialized training many employers need. The study also found applicants often lack proper training, strong communication skills and realistic salary requirements.

If you’re finding yourself frustrated in your job search, consider these 2 things recruiters are looking for in nursing job candidates.

--In-Demand Skills
One way to stand out from the crowd of new grads is to highlight on your resume any in-demand skills that you may have like bilingualism, the ability to use specialized equipment, such as dialysis machines, computer skills, including EMR skills, quality assurance knowledge, leadership, and critical thinking.

If you held any internships while getting your nursing degree, mention those as well. Internships of significance -- more than just a ‘clinical rotation’ -- during your education experience can help demonstrate that you have had practical experience. Working as a nursing/personal care assistant during summer or semester breaks is also helpful.

--Flexibility
Entry-level nurses may need to be willing to try new things as they look for a job. Flexibility is key when getting your start. The larger the geographic area and the more disciplines you are open to, the greater your chance of finding an employer willing to train.

If you do find an opportunity that looks promising but you don’t like the location, keep in mind that many large network providers allow internal transfers within six months to a year.

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Interview Questions & Responses Part 2

It may be impossible to predict which questions will be asked during an interview. However, there are certain questions that are commonly asked. Knowing these questions and practicing your answers can make the difference during an interview and can lead to being hired. This list is by no means all inclusive; there are hundreds of questions that could be asked during an interview. Expect the unexpected. The most important thing to remember is to be honest! Always give complete and truthful answers.

How do you handle stress?
This is a question interviewers love to ask. Stress is an inevitable part of any job, especially in nursing. Nurses have some of the highest levels of job related stress of any career. Some specific stressors vary depending on position and facility; some are universal. Either way you can count on having to manage stress on the job. The key to this is learning what works for you. Once you figure this out, you can easily relay this to a potential employer. Good ways to manage stress on the job can include simple things such as deep breathing or counting to ten. As cliché as they sound they can often work. Other more creative ways to manage stress include preventing it in the first place. Good organizational skills and time management skills can make the difference between a crazy or stressful shift and one that is more under your control. Collaborating with other team members and not being afraid to ask for help when it is needed are also great ways to decrease stress. One important thing to remember is that as nurses, we are there for the patients. We are there to ensure high quality care. It is important to stay calm and focused during stressful situations.

How would you handle a family member who is unsatisfied with a patients care?
This question has a fairly straight forward answer. Make sure to apologize to the family member, even if you have done nothing wrong. Then listen to their concerns and gather any necessary information. Assure the family member that their loved one is receiving high quality care and that they will be taken care of. If there are any concerns the family member has that require investigation or follow-up, always do it! Interviewers want to know you have the ability to problem solve as well as the ability to communicate effectively and be sincere with patient families. Never tell a family member that you do not have time for them or their loved one. Be empathetic and act as if it were your loved one being cared for.

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Interview Questions & Responses Part 1

It may be impossible to predict which questions will be asked during an interview. However, there are certain questions that are commonly asked. Knowing these questions and practicing your answers can make the difference during an interview and can lead to being hired. This list is by no means all inclusive; there are hundreds of questions that could be asked during an interview. Expect the unexpected. The most important thing to remember is to be honest! Always give complete and truthful answers.

What inspired you to be a nurse?
This is a question all nurses should be comfortable answering. This question is asked during almost every interview. There are various forms of this question including: “Why did you become a nurse?” or “What made you decide to become a nurse?” No matter how it is phrased this question is an important one. This question is one that is aimed at the core of every nurse. If you haven’t thought about this yet, think about it now! There are various reasons for wanting to become a nurse. Many want to help others, some are inspired by other family members or friends, still others are intrigued by the medical side of nursing and like the gory details. Most likely the answer is multi-faceted and complex. There is no wrong or right answer to this question, just be sincere and truthful to yourself.

Why do you want to work here?
This is a very commonly asked question as well. There are many settings and facilities in which nurses can work. The interviewer wants to know why you chose their facility. The answer to this question can be augmented by researching the company before hand. Having some background can provide concrete reasons to work for the company and let the employer know you did your research.  Another good thing to do when applying to a facility is to ask about its reputation. Ask around and see what can be found “through the grapevine.” Of course take personal testimonies with a grain of salt and remember there are always two sides to every story. However if a facility has a good reputation, it is most likely well deserved. Show the interviewer that you did your homework and let them know that you like their positive reputation. Find out if the facility you are interviewing for has a special focus or function; rehabilitation, geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, etc. If you are drawn to a facility because you want to work in a certain specialty, let the interviewer know that. They will likely be happy you chose them over similar facilities.

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