Nursing Career Choices and Professional Environments

Job Search: Finding Your Match

• Choosing a nursing position requires careful consideration.
• Seek input from instructors, career advisors, or mentors for objective perspective.
• Evaluate personal interests, skills, and strengths.
• Assess physical and emotional stamina, energy levels, and responsibilities to others.
• Consider long-term career goals.

Hallmarks of the Professional Practice Environment

• A positive work environment prioritizes quality, safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient care continuity, and professional accountability.
• Recognize and value nursing expertise's contribution to clinical care quality and patient outcomes.

Hallmarks of the Professional Practice Environment (Continued)

• Promote and support nursing leadership, involving nurses in decision-making and organizing clinical care systems.
• Provide opportunities for professional development.
• Offer clinical advancement programs focused on education, certification, and advanced preparation.
• Foster collaborative relationships among healthcare team members.
• Utilize technological advances in clinical care and information systems.

Networking

• Network with schools, community organizations, and student nurse groups to find potential employers.
• Explore healthcare facility websites where job postings and online applications are often available.
• Communicate with faculty, current employees, former employees, and alumni.
• Attend job fairs and explore online job boards.
• Seek advice from family members, neighbors, or friends with healthcare experience.

Written Introductions (Cover Letters)

• Cover letters should effectively market applicants and encourage interest in their candidacy.
• Cover letters should reflect individual writing styles instead of mimicking book or template formats.
• Letters should be concise, professional, on high-quality paper, and addressed to specific individuals.
• Letters should use a single-spaced format with three or four paragraphs.
• The first paragraph should outline the applicant's purpose.
• The second paragraph should highlight relevant skills and experience.
• The third paragraph should request an interview and provide preferred interview dates.
• Follow up with a courtesy phone call to confirm letter receipt (and answer any questions).

How to Prepare a Résumé

• Create a concise, visually appealing résumé summarizing education and work history.
• Include essential sections for identifying information, education, and work experience.
• Optional sections may include professional objectives, honors, achievements, and professional memberships.
• Prepare and have references available for when requested.
• Ensure presentation quality to make a positive impression.

Critical Thinking Question 1

• Option C ("A project on diverse populations will be presented to the state nursing association before graduation as part of my course requirements") is likely the most effective statement for showcasing experience and commitment to the nursing field.

Portfolio

• Portfolios may be hard copies or electronic and should demonstrate proficiency.
• Include concrete examples of competence, using evaluations from previous positions (non-nursing, if applicable).
• Include projects, letters of recommendation, transcripts, honors, awards, evidence of community activities, diplomas, and resumés.

Applicant's Rights

• Applicants should receive information on available openings, minimal qualifications, and be treated fairly and seriously during consideration.
• Applicants have the right to a job description, information on benefits, and access to the nursing work environment (which may include meeting managers).
• Applicants should be informed on the orientation program and given a timeframe for the hiring decision.

Prepare for the Face-to-Face Interview

• Dress professionally (business attire).
• Arrive on time.
• Prepare a résumé (even if submitted earlier).

Prepare for the Telephone or Video Interview

• Dress professionally for the interview.
• Be mindful of time zones.
• Control your surroundings and maintain a quiet environment.
• Have your résumé readily available.

Eight of the Most Frequently Asked Questions in Interviews

• Common interview questions include: interests in positions, work history, reasons for applying to this particular job, preferable work schedule, personal strengths and weaknesses, reasons for hiring candidates, and questions from the candidate.

How to Interview Effectively

• Recruiters should provide essential information about human resources policies, compensation, benefits, and staff development.
• Appropriate questions include clarifying position details, nurse-patient ratios, orientation program length, evaluation methods, salary, other benefits, and scheduling.

Critical Thinking Question 2

• Option A ("What is your religious preference?") is inappropriate (and potentially illegal).
• Option B is generally appropriate, but could be asked in a more professional manner.

The Employer's Tasks

• Employers are responsible for verifying qualifications, ensuring job suitability, checking for any signs of impairment (incompetence, unreliability, chemical dependency, or criminal history), validating applications using work history and references, confirming physical examinations, and pre-employment skills testing.

The Applicant's Tasks

• Applicants should assess the work environment by considering the tone of respect, pride, staff interaction, supervisor accessibility, and public recognition displays.
• Request a tour, and actively engage in discussions with supervisors and staff to gather information.
• Evaluate opportunities for growth, advancement, benefits, and competitive compensation.

The Applicant's Tasks (Continued)

• Assess the work environment, standards of practice, nurse-patient ratios, and access to orientation, horizontal transfers, and advancements.
• Research compensation and benefit packages to assess competitiveness.
• Make informed decisions involving continuing education and nursing administrator responsibilities regarding service delivery.

The Employer's Tasks (Continued)

• Pre-employment physical examinations are conducted at the employer's expense to ensure candidate suitability and patient safety.
• Pre-employment skills tests may include pharmacology and clinical skills evaluations.