Question 1

A nurse who has an interview with the human resources (HR) director enters the office, doesn't make eye contact, and is very timid. Toward the end of the interview, the HR director asks the nurse if there are any questions. The nurse states, "No, I think I've learned all I need to know." What impression has this nurse given the HR director?

Accepted Answer

1. A candidate who has no questions suggests a lack of interest or expertise. The nurse's inability to make eye contact and appearing timid does not facilitate a good impression.
2. Although not making eye contact and appearing timid may indicate shyness, the overwhelming impression is a lack of interest.
3. The applicant has not been rude but does appear disengaged.
4. There is no real reason to think this applicant is lazy, but the HR director may be reluctant to offer a second interview.

Question 2

The nurse has just interviewed with a nurse manager. The manager offers the nurse an opportunity to tour the unit and meet potential coworkers. Why is this a beneficial opportunity? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. This tour allows the candidate to see the unit in action and learn more about how it operates.
2. It is hard to make a logical determination about the unit on one visit, but the nurse will gain information that will be helpful.
3. The nurse is constantly assessing, and a tour allows contact with coworkers for this assessment.
4. One tour is unlikely to provide the candidate with this opportunity.
5. The candidate should be aware of the types of clients served by the unit prior to applying for the position.

Question 3

During an interview for a night shift ICU position, the manager asks the job candidate, "Will working the night shift interfere with your husband's schedule?" How should the candidate interpret this question?

Accepted Answer

1. It may be a legitimate question and a question the candidate has not thought about, but it is illegal to ask.
2. It is illegal for the interviewer to ask personal questions such as regarding how many children the candidate has or the candidate's marital status.
3. This may be something that the manager would like to know about and might impact the candidate's ability to complete the job, but it is illegal to ask in an interview.
4. This is something the candidate should consider, but the manager should not ask about it during the interview.

Question 4

An ICU nurse has been approached by a colleague to join the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. The nurse asks the colleague, "Why would I want to join this organization?" Which would be the best response?

Accepted Answer

1. It may further the nurse's career but that is not the best reason.
2. It may look good on a résumé, but that is not the best reason.
3. Specialty organizations exist for nurses who work in many clinical areas and offer divisions, committees, and boards where the nurse's time and talents are welcome. This helps the nurse build a network and is a good way to learn about the issues facing the profession.
4. One does not have to join this organization to obtain critical care certification.

Question 5

A student who is about to graduate is discussing the future with a nursing instructor. The instructor asks the student, "What schedule are you interested in working? What organization is near your home?" The student says that salary is the most important thing. Which response by the instructor would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

1. Despite what many students believe, the least important criteria for a first job is the salary.
2. Premium wages are not the most important criteria for choosing a first job.
3. The purpose of the first job is to learn as much as possible, perfect clinical skills, build a network of colleagues, and move toward future goals.
4. Money is important, but it is not the most important determinant of the right job.

Question 6

A nurse has always been interested in the legal nurse field. What would be the best program in which to learn about this field?

Accepted Answer

1. The quickest path is not always the best path.
2. Although the nurse would gain knowledge about the field, there is a better way to do it.
3. No matter the subject, the nurse should focus on whether the program is sponsored by a known organization and provides speakers with appropriate credentials.
4. The program should help the nurse meet his or her needs, not just talk about opportunities.

Question 7

A nurse who has worked in the dialysis unit for the past 5 years is considering a career change. The nurse is unsure whether to follow a management or a clinical career path. Which would be a good beginning step for this nurse?

Accepted Answer

1. Prior to enrolling in a graduate program, the nurse should investigate career opportunities and various graduate programs.
2. Networking with nurses working in the fields of potential interest may assist this nurse in determining the correct path.
3. Salary should not be the prime determinant of which path to follow.
4. The nurse is most likely a valuable employee to the manager, so the advice received might not be totally unbiased.

Question 8

A candidate is concerned that some answers she gave during her interview were vague and lengthy. She relates some of the answers to a peer, saying, "I don't know what happened. I was just so nervous." What is an appropriate response by the peer?

Accepted Answer

1. This response is only likely to increase the candidate's concern about the interview. Why the answers were given is not important at this time. The candidate has already admitted to being very nervous.
2. The candidate should be reminded to keep answers short and to the point so as to appear competent and professional.
3. Long, rambling answers are not good answers.
4. The peer should not be untruthful to the candidate.

Question 9

A nurse has an interview with the nurse recruiter at a large metropolitan hospital. During the nurse's education, clinical practice was conducted in smaller facilities. Which topics would be good for the applicant to focus on during the interview? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. During the interview, the nurse should obtain information about the position and organization.
2. During the interview, the nurse should describe experiences and education.
3. Once the job has been offered or the interviewer inquires about the applicant's interest in the job, then it is appropriate to discuss salary.
4. Once the job has been offered or the interviewer inquires about the applicant's interest in the job, then it is appropriate to discuss benefits.
5. During the interview, the nurse should identify personal strengths and weaknesses.

Question 10

A nurse is unsure in which graduate nursing program to enroll. A colleague recommends the nurse consider a degree program for which it appears there will be growing demand. Which role is expected to continue to be in great demand in the future?

Accepted Answer

1. Nursing administration is not one of the two areas expecting the greatest growth.
2. Community health nursing is not one of the two areas expecting the greatest growth.
3. Two areas that are expected to grow in demand are nursing faculty and nurse practitioners. The ranks of nursing faculty are expected to decrease as more faculty members retire.
4. School nursing is not one of the two areas expecting the greatest growth.

Question 11

During the interview, a nurse learns that several people are interviewing for the position. Several days post-interview, the nurse is called for a second interview. How should the nurse prepare for this interview?

Accepted Answer

1. The purpose of the second interview is different, as is preparation for it.
2. Past experiences are not the focus of the second interview.
3. The second interview usually includes colleagues and managers with whom the nurse will work. Situational questions are often asked. The goal is to show the nurse is a competent, confident professional.
4. Questions about future goals are generally asked during the first interview.

Question 12

A nurse is considering graduate school. The nurse is interested in becoming a nurse practitioner. This nurse has worked as a medical-surgical nurse for the past 10 years. Which opportunity would benefit this nurse's career?

Accepted Answer

1. Being an assistant nurse manager would not provide the skills this nurse needs.
2. Being a nurse manager would not be the best choice to provide the skills this nurse needs.
3. The nurse has decided to obtain a nurse practitioner license. Furthering education by focusing on critical care pathophysiology will assist the nurse when enrolled in graduate school.
4. The oncology unit would provide the opportunity to learn new skills, but not as many as another choice.

Question 13

A baccalaureate nurse has been invited to join Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). While trying to decide about taking the offer, the nurse asks a member about the organization. Which option reflects the best reason to join a group such as this?

Accepted Answer

1. Although the members of STTI are a distinguished group of professionals and it is a privilege to be asked to join, those are not the major reasons for joining.
2. Although the members of STTI are a distinguished group of professionals and it is a privilege to be asked to join, those are not the major reasons for joining.
3. Membership in professional associations offers many opportunities for networking and learning while serving the organization on committees and task forces.
4. You do not have to be a member of STTI in order to join ANA.

Question 14

A nurse has been in practice for 14 years and has worked in three different departments in the hospital. The nurse is a member of a professional organization and is considering running for an office next year. According to Shirey, this nurse is in which career phase?

Accepted Answer

1. The promise phase is the first part of the career in which building blocks for a long career are laid.
2. Shirey does not include adolescence as a phase.
3. During the momentum phase, the nurse chooses multiple experiences and becomes more visible in the profession.
4. During the harvest phase, the nurse begins to share experiences and expertise with younger nurses and leaves a legacy for the next generation.

Question 15

The nursing faculty member requires that last-semester nursing students create a résumé. One student submits a résumé that includes education, past employment, and accomplishments. Which additional information will the faculty member recommend the student include in this résumé?

Accepted Answer

1. Family information is not part of the résumé.
2. The résumé may include an immediate professional goal, but it does not include personal goals.
3. Transcripts are not part of the résumé.
4. Long-term career goals help a reviewer understand the best position for the candidate.

Question 16

A nurse has joined the local Sigma Theta Tau organization. The nurse is hoping to find a mentor within the organization. Which person would be a good candidate?

Accepted Answer

1. A mentor is a person who has more experience and is willing to help the protégé progress in their career. A mentor should be a senior nurse or someone in a closely aligned profession who can help the protégé with contacts and networking. The most logical selection of these options is the senior nurse who has the career experience the protégé seeks.
2. The president of the organization may not have the career experiences the nurse is interested in pursuing.
3. The senior nurse with a wide range of career experiences would be good as a general mentor but is not the best choice in this situation.
4. A member of the board of the organization may or may not have the kind of career experiences this nurse would need.

Question 17

A nurse with an associate degree in nursing is interested in obtaining more education but is unsure if it is wiser to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing or to pursue certification. The answers to which questions would assist the nurse in making a decision? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

1. The nurse should determine interests prior to deciding which degree to pursue.
2. The expense it will take to achieve the goal should not be the primary factor determining which one to choose.
3. The nurse should think about future educational goals when deciding upon a degree.
4. The nurse should identify current advancement possibilities when considering further education.
5. Online education is available for many degrees and certifications. This information may make the decision clearer.

Question 18

A newly licensed nurse has submitted an application, letter of interest, and résumé to the human resources department of a hospital and has an interview scheduled for next week. How should the nurse prepare for this interview?

Accepted Answer

1. The response to answers should be genuine and honest, not memorized.
2. Arriving on a unit unannounced to talk to staff nurses is not professional.
3. Once the résumé is submitted, it is not necessary to add information. Additional information may be discussed in the interview.
4. Prior to the interview, it is important to learn as much about the organization as possible and to anticipate questions to ask. This is assessment, the first step of the nursing process.

Question 19

A nurse who has a baccalaureate degree in nursing is interested in going to graduate school. The nurse is talking to a peer who is in a nurse practitioner program. Which advice would be beneficial for this nurse in choosing a graduate program?

Accepted Answer

1. The time it takes to achieve the degree is not the primary deciding factor.
2. Choosing a graduate program can be time consuming. Gather literature and meet with admissions staff, faculty, students, and colleagues.
3. Physicians will likely not be aware of the particulars about nursing degree programs.
4. No one is certain they can complete a degree program. The point is to start.

Question 20

A nurse has interviewed with the nurse manager for a position and is very interested in obtaining it. After the interview, what would be an appropriate action to take?

Accepted Answer

1. Calling the human resources director the next day is not appropriate.
2. It is not appropriate to call the staff nurse.
3. Sending a post-interview thank-you letter within 24 hours of the interview to everyone who interviewed is appropriate. The letter should be brief and thank the interview team for the interview and their interest in the candidate, and it should mention the candidate's appreciation for the meeting.
4. Calling the interviewer every day is very unprofessional and may hurt one's chances for the position.

Quiz 27: Advancing Your Career