Question 1

Assuming all are true, which information about a new graduate should be included in a résumé to highlight abilities that would be valuable to an employer?

Accepted Answer

The ability to communicate with hearing-impaired patients who use sign language would be an asset. It is better not to include salary expectations. Leisure time activities are not relevant. A résumé indicating plans to move to a nearby state after 1 year may prejudice the employer against hiring because it costs money to orient new employees.

Question 2

The LPN/LVN interviewee determines from personal appearance that the interviewer is from a different cultural background. What action should the interviewee take to minimize the impact of cultural difference during the interview?

Accepted Answer

Even if the interviewer is of a different cultural background, he or she may be fully comfortable interviewing applicants of another culture. One should be more interested in communicating interest in the job and qualifications than in mimicking the interviewer. The interviewer should be given the opportunity to establish norms concerning how to communicate. One cannot anticipate using any of these options, initially.

Question 3

The quality that is the greatest asset for the LPN/LVN working in home health care is

Accepted Answer

Flexibility is necessary because the LPN/LVN often has to improvise while still practicing sound nursing principles. A nonjudgmental attitude is desirable. Empathy, rather than sympathy, is needed. The home health LPN/LVN works with a health care team and the family.

Question 4

What is the first step that should be taken by a student nurse who wants to use a particular instructor's name as a reference?

Accepted Answer

The student should make sure the individual is willing to be a reference and, moreover, is willing to write a positive letter. Looking in the catalog to make sure the name is spelled correctly is relevant but not the first step. Passing a course does not confer the right to use the instructor as a reference. Checking with recent graduates to see which instructor writes the best letters of reference is not an appropriate action.

Question 5

Desirable qualities and skills for the LPN/LVN working in mental health nursing include

Accepted Answer

These qualities are desirable for working in the mental health setting; empathy and good communication contribute to development of a therapeutic relationship. The ability to work on a team is essential, because this is the structure adopted by mental health agencies. Nonjudgmental attitudes and empathy are necessary. Mental health nursing requires working with other team members and flexibility. Flexibility, critical thinking, and good mental health are required.

Question 6

An LPN/LVN applicant wishes to use knowledge of interpersonal styles to his benefit during a job interview. He assesses the interviewer to be a "results-focused" person. Which behavior should he adopt?

Accepted Answer

The LPN/LVN will supply answers without belaboring the point. Moving things along appeals to results-oriented people. Answering the interviewer's questions in detail and trying to interject personal information are not the best ideas. Results-oriented people like shorter, well-organized answers that do not deviate from the topic. Results-oriented people may have a sense of humor, but it's better not to risk being seen as not serious.

Question 7

Which of the following individuals is most likely to provide the most authoritative, positive reference for a student nurse who is beginning to search for postgraduation employment?

Accepted Answer

This individual would know both the academic record and clinical performance strengths of the student nurse. Because the instructor has given positive feedback, this person should be able to provide a positive reference. The program director may not have first-hand knowledge of clinical performance and might be less able to emphasize clinical performance strengths. The nurse who is the student nurse's acquaintance at the health club would be unable to provide first-hand information about academic and clinical performance. A fellow student cannot provide a reference that would have the same weight as an instructor or a nurse with whom the student has worked in a health care agency.

Question 8

What advantage does a nurse have in locating a job he or she likes?

Accepted Answer

Having experience in a variety of clinical settings makes it easier to determine which types of units one would find to be a good match for skills and personality traits. Nursing school does not encourage one to decide on a career area prior to graduation, nor does it allow for extra experiences. Community colleges and vocational/technical settings do not guarantee a job upon graduation. It is not necessarily true that because of rapid turnover of nurses in health care facilities, locating a choice of job is easy. There may be no openings on units the nurse would prefer.

Question 9

Which statement is true with regard to making a follow-up call after submitting a résumé and cover letter for a position?

Accepted Answer

This action shows dependability. Employers expect applicants to follow up if they are truly interested in the position. Monday mornings are poor times to call. People are trying to get organized for the week to follow. Calling on Friday is also a poor time to call. People are finishing last-minute details before leaving for the weekend.

Question 10

When an SP/VN or LPN/LVN is seeking a new position, which pre-interview preparatory action would most likely contribute to a successful interview?

Accepted Answer

Practice ensures that the interviewee has thought through what responses would be best and will be able to respond in an articulate, sincere fashion. Spontaneity does not always work well; it may not provide appropriate information. Conservative business attire is best. Use the individual's surname unless invited to do otherwise.

Question 11

Which is a basic rule when writing a letter of resignation?

Accepted Answer

Never mention negative feelings about the agency or its personnel in a letter of resignation. A positive work reference may be needed at a later time. Reread the previous two sentences. It is not a wise idea to list suggestions for agency improvement. This suggests negative feelings about the agency. Proper notice is an important courtesy. Abrupt departure may mean the individual is not eligible to be rehired at a future time.

Question 12

What action should the nurse take if the employer begins to ask interview questions about work experience on the phone when the nurse calls to set up an interview?

Accepted Answer

Deflecting employer questions until the actual interview is a good strategy. It prevents the employer from making a snap decision about the individual without seeing the applicant and exploring his or her qualifications in greater detail. Answering all questions asked by the employers pleasantly, accurately, and completely allows the employer to substitute a phone call for a personal interview. Mentioning that you are in a hurry now but giving permission to receive a call back in an hour would be perceived as impolite. Reporting the phone call to the civil liberties commission is unnecessary and inappropriate.

Question 13

A student nurse is interested in working shortly after graduation. What action would have the greatest potential for achieving the goal of securing employment?

Accepted Answer

Researching agencies of interest and writing brief letters expressing an interest in employment follows through on a broad strategy for obtaining employment. Limiting job applications to positions listed in the Help Wanted section of the newspaper makes use of only limited resources. Obtaining lists of job offerings posted in health care agencies suggests obtaining lists but does not suggest taking further action. Depending on the school of nursing and school placement service to find employment is both passive and unrealistic.

Question 14

Which area of health care delivery services is the largest employer of LPN/LVNs?

Accepted Answer

Long-term care facility employment is expected to grow faster than other area of employment in response to the needs of the growing number of older adults and disabled people and the use of nursing homes for recuperation after hospitalization.

Question 15

Which would be most valuable to include on a list of references?

Accepted Answer

Individuals who can comment authoritatively and positively on work skills are more valuable as references than individuals who are employed at the agency to which one is applying but who have no frame of reference for commenting on one's work skills or those who know one socially or are influential in the community.

Question 16

Dressing for success at an interview means an applicant should

Accepted Answer

Conservative, business-appropriate clothing should be the first choice. Clothing should fit well so that it is comfortable to wear. Wearing conservative, tailored clothing will help the employer see an interviewee as one who will dress appropriately at work. One should try not to wear an outfit for the first time at the interview; having worn it before will give confidence that it fits well. The employer is interested in what appearance one will present at work and would not be able to extrapolate that from the applicant wearing an outfit that reflects "off-duty" personality or hobbies and a casual hairstyle.

Question 17

Which statement indicates that a nurse is knowledgeable about good résumé preparation?

Accepted Answer

Using bullets to draw the eye to job skills and make them easily readable helps the person reading the résumé match skills to the requirements of the job. Ideally a résumé should be one page. Use of objective statements is outdated. Paper color should be conservative.

Question 18

During an employment interview, the interviewee is asked, "What do you believe are your greatest weaknesses?" The best reply would be:

Accepted Answer

It is preferable not to respond directly to a question requiring negatives for an answer. It is better to refocus the question so that one may sincerely say positive things about oneself without sounding boastful. It is probably not true that an interviewee would be unaware of any weaknesses. A prospective employer wants to hire people who are organized. Replying that the biggest problem is the lack of clinical experience has the wrong focus. Having clinical experience in a nursing program is a positive.

Question 19

The nurse asks for advice about sending a cover letter and résumé electronically to a local health care agency. The best advice would be:

Accepted Answer

This method will ensure that the person receiving the cover letter has ready access to the résumé. Not all systems can open attachments. It is not inappropriate to use electronic transmission in this instance. Many employers prefer e-inquiries. It is not necessary to phone first to find out whether the person hiring is computer literate.

Question 20

As the interview at the long-term care facility is coming to a close, the interviewer asks the applicant, "What questions may I answer for you?" Which question would be most likely to create a favorable impression?

Accepted Answer

This request shows genuine interest in the facility. Asking when the first pay raise will be given indicates you are most interested in salary. Asking what will happen if orientation outcomes cannot be met creates a negative impression. Asking if tuition reimbursement is provided is not as negative as asking when the first pay raise will be given but should be deferred to a later time.

Quiz 18: Work Force Trends: How to Find a First Job You Will Love