Question 1

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

The question is considered an illegal question to ask during an interview as it is related to the candidate's marital status and could be used to discriminate against them. The candidate does not have to answer this question and can redirect the conversation to their qualifications for the job.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A,C,D,E

Question 3

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

The senior nurse who has the career experience that the nurse is interested in pursuing would be the best candidate for a mentor as they would have relevant knowledge, skills and experience that the nurse is seeking. The other options may not have the specific experience, knowledge or availability to be an effective mentor.

Question 4

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 5

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

The best choice would be to review the organization's website to gain an understanding of its mission, values, and services offered. This information can be used to answer interview questions effectively and demonstrate a genuine interest in the hospital. Choices A and C are not recommended as they may come across as rehearsed or dishonest. While choice B may be helpful, it is not necessary to make a special trip to the hospital before the interview.

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

An accredited program by a legal nurse association would provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of the legal nurse field. A seminar may be helpful, but it would only provide a brief overview. Hearing from lawyers about opportunities may also be informative, but it would not provide the comprehensive education that an accredited program would offer.

Question 7

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

According to Shirey's theory of career development in nursing, the momentum phase typically occurs between years 10-20 of a nurse's career, during which they have gained experience and expertise in their specialty area and may consider taking on leadership roles or pursuing further education. The fact that this nurse has worked in three different departments and is considering running for an office in a professional organization suggests that they are in the momentum phase.

Question 8

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

Transferring to the ICU unit would provide the nurse with experience in a more acute care setting, which could be valuable for a nurse practitioner role. Additionally, ICU experience would likely provide the nurse with exposure to more complex patient cases which could further enhance their nursing abilities. Assistant nurse manager and nurse manager positions would not necessarily provide the same level of direct patient care experience, which is important for a nurse practitioner. Oncology nursing is a specialized field and while it may be valuable experience, it may not be as relevant to a nurse practitioner role as experience in an acute care setting.

Question 9

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

Joining the American Association of Critical Care Nurses can help the nurse to network and enhance their learning through access to resources, conferences, and opportunities to connect with other critical care nurses. This can ultimately benefit their career, but the immediate benefit is the ability to learn and grow within their profession. The response about certification (option D) is not necessarily true, as certification can be obtained through other organizations as well. The responses about career advancement (option A) and resume building (option B) are not as compelling as the potential for learning and networking.

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse has just interviewed with a...

Question 11

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

While all the options listed may have some value, choice C is the best reason to join a group like STTI. Networking with colleagues in the same profession and learning from them while also serving the organization can be a valuable opportunity for professional growth and development. The other options may be additional benefits, but they alone do not capture the full potential of joining a professional organization.

Question 12

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

While salary is certainly an important consideration for any new graduate, the nursing instructor's response should highlight the fact that working for an organization that aligns with the student's future goals and values is equally important. By emphasizing the importance of organizational fit, the instructor can help the student find a position that not only pays well, but also provides opportunities for career growth and professional development. Option A may come across as dismissive of the student's concerns, while option B is too narrow in its focus on wages. Option D is also not helpful, as it does not provide any guidance to the student.

Question 13

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 14

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

Sending a post-interview thank-you letter is a professional way to express appreciation for the opportunity to interview, reiterate interest in the position, and provide any additional information that could be helpful in making a decision. It also gives the nurse a chance to make a positive impression and stand out among other candidates. Calling human resources or the interviewer multiple times can come across as desperate and annoying, and may actually hurt the nurse's chances of being selected. Inquiring with a staff nurse may not be appropriate as they may not be involved in the selection process.

Question 15

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

Meeting with faculty and students of various graduate programs will provide the nurse with valuable insight into the program curriculum, faculty, and student experiences. This will help the nurse make an informed decision about which graduate program is the best fit for their goals and interests. The other options (A, C, and D) do not provide as much relevant information for choosing a graduate program.

Question 16

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 17

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

Before making a career change, it is important to gather information about the potential career paths. Speaking with nurses who are currently in management or clinical roles can provide valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of each position. This information can help the nurse make an informed decision about which path to pursue. Enrolling in a graduate nursing program or investigating salary options can come later in the process, once the nurse has narrowed down their options. Seeking advice from the current manager may also be helpful, but the nurse may want to keep their options open and gather perspectives from multiple sources before making a decision.

Question 18

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 19

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?

Accepted Answer

During an interview, it's important to discuss information about the position and organization to show interest and understanding (A), highlight past experiences to demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge (B), and discuss strengths and weaknesses to show self-awareness and areas for growth (E). Salary and benefits (C, D) are typically discussed later in the hiring process.

Question 20

During the interview a nurse learns there are several people interviewing for the position. Several days postinterview the nurse is called for a second interview. How should the nurse prepare for this interview?

Accepted Answer

Since the nurse has already had a first interview and has been called back for a second interview, it is likely that the interviewer wants to know more about the nurse's situational competence. Therefore, the nurse should anticipate questions that are situational in nature and provide detailed information regarding their competence in those areas. It is also important to review the job description and any relevant information previously discussed in the first interview.

Quiz 26: Advancing Your Career