• New nurses should ask questions of potential employers.nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  For a new nurse, a job interview is not only a time for potential employers to ask you questions; it is also a time to ask questions of your own. Asking questions will help you determine is the position is right for your level of nursing experience and education. Questions also give you insight into specific aspects of the job so you can decide if you want to go forward in that area of nursing. In addition, asking questions shows employers that you are thorough and serious about the job.
  
  

What is the training or orientation process for new nurses?

• It is important to know how an employer plans on training you, how long training will last and who will train you. This question is important because employers train nurses in various ways depending on the facility and specialty. Some nurses are trained on-the-job and may begin working fairly autonomously immediately. Others shadow an experienced nurse or go through a formal orientation and training which can take days or weeks In this way, the question can also help you decide if your learning style fits with the company's teaching style.
  
  

What are the most common challenges for new nurses?

• New nurses face challenges that are not common in other professions. Dealing with illness, pain and death on a regular basis can create mental and emotional problems for inexperienced nurses. Working long hours and dealing with rude or uncooperative patients can take a toll as well. Knowing the employer-specific challenges new nurses usually face will help you determine if you will be able to handle the first few days, weeks and months. Likewise, if you know what to expect, you can overcome any challenges sooner.
  
  

What kinds of shifts are available?

• Nurses often work long and varying shifts. Family and other obligations may cause conflicts with some nursing shifts, so knowing which shifts are available will help you ascertain if the position will fit your schedule and plan ahead in case it does not.
  
  

What is the workload?

• The answer to this question will tell you how many patients you will be responsible for and give you some insight into a typical day for the position. You will also get an idea of how much paperwork you will have to do and how long your rounds may take.