Tricky Nursing Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)

The pay may be great, but that isn’t the answer to give when asked, “Why do you want to work here?” Here’s how to answer that and other hard interview questions.

Interviewing, in general, isn’t easy, but some questions prove tougher than others. Here are three questions that notoriously trip up even the most seasoned nurse and how best to answer them.

“Tell me about yourself.”

While not technically a question, this can be one of the hardest parts of any interview. While some people love talking about themselves (research suggests this is simply because it feels good), others do not, and even if you do like talking about yourself, landing in the sweet spot between giving the interviewer too little and sharing too much can be tricky, especially if you’re an anxious or nervous interviewee.

Instead of sharing your life story, and giving away too many personal details which may reflect poorly upon you, keep in mind that the interviewer is asking this because they want to know your background, more than anything, and a bit about your personality. Cover the basics about your education, professional experience, career goals, and strengths, while tying in some clues about your personality, such as, “I’ve always loved children and I’m upbeat by nature, so pediatric nursing was a seamless fit for me.”

“Why do you want to work here?”

The truthful answer to that may be, “Look, lady, it’s because I need a job,” or, “The pay is GREAT,” but those answers are not what the interviewer is looking for—and should definitely not come out of your mouth at any point during the interview process. They don’t want to hire any ol’ nurse, just as you don’t want to work at any ol’ hospital, so do your research, not only so you can impress them by knowing they were ranked #1 for neurosurgery by so-and-so publication, but so you can see if they are the right fit for you, as well.

Before you interview, Google them and read up on the organization, including their corporate values and culture, and be prepared to tell them why you’d be a good fit to work there. For example, perhaps the facility caters to a population you prefer to work with, they use progressive methods you are eager to learn, or have a reputation for professional advancement that aligns with your career goals. Or maybe it’s something as simple as they are a small practice with a family feel, and you are tired of working in hospitals where you hardly see the same person twice. Whatever it is that truly interests you in working there, from a professional standpoint, find a way to convey that in a way that shows you’re excited to be a part of what they’re doing.

“What are your weaknesses?”

No one likes to own up to their faults, particularly not in a setting where you’re trying to impress. However, we are all human. We all mess up. We all have less than desirable traits. And pretending like you don’t just comes across and being inauthentic and dishonest, and those are not desirable traits in an employee, let alone a nurse.

Whatever your weaknesses may be, find a way to tell the interviewer what you have learned from them, showing you are committed to self-improvement and professional growth. It is a best practice to sandwich your weakness between two positive attributes. For example, if you sometimes feel overwhelmed, try saying something along the lines of, “I’m committed to providing a high level of patient care, but sometimes I find myself getting a little overwhelmed when a patient or their family asks a lot of questions. I know that’s just the patient and their family wanting to be well-informed about their care, though, so I’ve learned to be more understanding, as a result.”

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Nurses Need to Stop “Eating Their Young”

As it was first said in 1986, “nurses eat their young,” and last week, that adage proved true for one young nurse who took her own life. Now is the time to end nurse bullying.

As it was first said by nursing professor Judith Meissner in 1986, “nurses eat their young,” and last week, that adage proved true for one young nurse who took her own life. Rhian Collins, a 30-year-old nurse and mother of two, committed suicide after being bullied by her coworkers at a U.K. psychiatric hospital.

In light of this tragic news, we find it is our responsibility to have a frank and open discussion regarding nurse bullying and suicide. Because, at its core, the nursing profession is a caring one. It takes certain levels of empathy and heart to do what nurses do, day in and day out, and that should not only be reserved for patients, but also for your fellow nurses.

Stress and burnout among nurses are, understandably, pervasive. Shifts are long, hospitals are understaffed, and tensions are high, but to put it in perspective, research suggests that at least 85% of nurses have been bullied at some point in their nursing career, and the number could actually be higher, as it is often speculated that incidents are under-reported. One study has stated that depressive symptoms among nurses clock in at 18%, and another shows that number as high as 41%. Even more alarming, a U.K.-based study published last year found nurses are 23% more likely to commit suicide than women in general, and the BBC has reported that nurses are four times more likely to commit suicide than people working outside of medicine.

All of those staggering numbers, and yet, the culture of nurse-on-nurse bullying has not changed much, if at all, since it was first said that “nurses eat their young.” However, there is hope, as many younger nurses have been put through the paces of school-based anti-bullying initiatives as they have grown up and stigmas of mental health issues have began to lessen. But unless and until a different mindset takes over the nursing profession, the problem will persist.

You cannot eat your young and expect them to survive.

We know you are stressed out. We know your hours are long, your back is aching, and you probably didn’t get to have a real lunch break today. We are not negating those stresses in any way. However, it doesn’t take much effort to just be kind—to yourselves and to your fellow nurses. You may just save another life in doing so, and that is what nursing is all about, saving lives.

If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, we encourage you to seek help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or by texting 741741 to have a conversation with a trained crisis counselor via the Crisis Text Line.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Mindset of Millennial Nurses

Millennials are quickly becoming the most dominant generation in nursing. What is their collective outlook on their professional futures? Take a look.

Millennials, as a whole, tend to get a bad rap. The generation, born in the 1980s and 1990s, is often stereotyped as being selfish and entitled, more interested in popular culture and handouts than hard work and drive. However, a recent survey by AMN Healthcare of nurses who fall into that age bracket shows that is not the case.

The Survey of Millennial Nurses: A Dynamic Influence on the Profession collected responses from 3,347 RNs, and compared the views of Millennial nurses (those aged 19 to 36) to those of Generation X (aged 37 to 53) and Baby Boomers (aged 54 to 71) in regards to their expectations of their work environments and professional futures.

The survey results show that Millennial nurses are more eager than their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts to seek new employment, including taking on travel nursing opportunities, pursue a higher degree or become Advanced Practitioners, such as Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants, and strive to obtain nursing leadership roles.

When asked about how the improving economy might impact their career plans, about 17% of Millennial RNs said they would seek a new place of employment as a nurse, as opposed to 15% of Gen X RNs and only 10% of Baby Boomer RN, and 10% of millennial RNs said they would work as a travel nurse, which is nearly the combined amount (11%) of Gen X and Boomer RNs who would consider the same.

The results also show that Millennial RNs are keen to obtain higher degrees and become APRNs. 70% of Millennial RNs said they want to pursue a higher degree, such as a BSN or MSN, which is significantly higher than the 56% Gen Xers and 20% Baby Boomers who would pursue the same, and 49% of Millennial RNs indicated becoming an Advanced Practitioner is a career path they want to consider. Only 35% of Gen X RNs and 12% of Baby Boomer RNs said they had the same APRN career ambitions.

Millennials are also more eager to lead, with 36% of Millennial RNs saying the pursuit of a nursing leadership role is something they are interested in, as opposed to 27% of Gen Xers and 10% of Baby Boomers.

With results like these, and Millennials quickly becoming the most dominant generation in nursing, it seems like there are a lot of bright futures to be had.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Tips to Craft Your Best Nursing Resume

At first glance, what impression does your resume make on your behalf? Could it impress a hiring manager or recruiter in six seconds? If not, read on.

On average, your resume has about six seconds to make a good first impression, and that is only if it’s being seen by a living, breathing human being, not a machine, such as an ATS. Then, if it is good enough to pique their interest, one in five recruiters will make up their mind about you and your qualifications in less than a minute, and over all, employers will spend, on average, only three minutes and 14 seconds reading your resume. Those numbers shouldn’t scare you, but they should definitely make you think. At first glance, what impression does your resume make on your behalf? Could it impress a hiring manager or recruiter in six seconds, a minute, three? If the answer is no, here are a few tips on how to make it shine.

Keep It Clean and Professional

If your resume only has a very brief period of time to catch someone’s eye, it’s best to find a layout that doesn’t look like the rest, while still retaining a professional design and having clearly marked sections of information. Look to websites such as Creative Market or Etsy for inspiration, or download some modern templates you can use for a small fee.

If you don’t use a readymade layout, make sure whatever layout you use is free of photos and “fancy” fonts, as those may not render properly across all platforms, and over 40% of recruiters are put off by the use of them. Stick to standard fonts, such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, have clear section headings, and make use of bullet points to draw the eye to important pieces of information.

Also, be sure that your contact information is easy to find, and that it is professional. You should include your full name, with your credentials listed after it, address, telephone number, and an appropriate email address—because 32% of recruiters will reject someone simply for having an inappropriate email address.

While we are all taught not to judge a book by its cover, you also need to get noticed for the right reasons, and the first impression your resume makes could make all the difference.

Your Objective Is Already Clear

The Objective section of the resume is dead. If you are submitting a resume, it is common knowledge, and can very easily be assumed, that you are trying to “obtain a position within [your] field to further [yourself] personally and professionally.” Call the time of death on that and send it on down to the morgue—it’s dead.

Your objective is clear; why you are the right person for the job is not. Which is why the Summary section has replaced the Objective, and is alive and kicking. Instead of using a bunch of regurgitated, standardized language about why you are trying to find a job in your field, show off your qualifications. Talk about your accomplishments and how you add value to the facilities you’ve worked for and the lives of your patients, or how you excelled in nursing school.

Give them the most impressive bits of your history right up front and make them want to learn more of your details by reading on to your Professional Experience and Education sections.

Show Your Strengths and Avoid Being a Cliché

Over 50% of recruiters will reject a candidate if their resume is full of clichés. Everyone is a hard worker, a team player, is motivated, driven, and works well under pressure—particularly, if you’re a nurse. Soft skills, such as those, may sound good to you, but they are really just filler for those on the hiring end of things, and they add no value to your resume.

If you are going to highlight your strengths, do so in concrete ways.

What states are you licensed in and what certifications do you have? What professional associations do you belong to? Which EMR/EHR systems are you familiar with? What caseload have you handled and in what unit? Which industry-wide protocols, processes, and procedures do you have experience with? Are you bilingual? What skills set you apart from every other nurse?

Also, don’t be afraid to use industry-specific terminology. These people are hiring nurses, after all. They’ll know what you mean when you say you’re experienced with Level I Trauma, da Vinci Surgical Systems, balloon pumps, 12-lead placements, and so on.

Check Your Spelling and Grammar, Then Check It Again, and Once More

59% of recruiters will reject a resume based solely on spelling mistakes and poor grammar. Which may seem silly to some, but attention to detail is important, not only in writing your resume, but in your nursing career, itself. Read through your document multiple times to look for spelling and grammatical errors, or ask a friend who is good with words to do so on your behalf.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

One Nurse’s Take: Working in the ICU

“Since beginning my RN journey, my outlook and perspective on life have changed dramatically,” says Jamie Dupont, RN, in this look at her life in the ICU.

We spoke with Jamie Dupont, RN—and a relatively new RN, at that—about about her choice to become a nurse in the ICU, and what she has learned since. Read on for some insight into the trials and triumphs of her experience.

You’re an ICU nurse, and a relatively new one. How are you liking your job so far? Is it different than you expected it to be? What are the major differences between nursing school and being a nurse?

I am new to the field of nursing; however, I am experienced in the medical field as a paramedic. I enjoy the ICU aspect of medicine. It is very challenging not only physically and mentally, but emotionally, as well. I am used to dealing with a patient for a very short, limited amount of time, whereas being in the ICU, I can have a particular patient and their family for up to four twelve-hour shifts. It is definitely different than I expected it to be. One wrong decision or error on my behalf, and I could have a serious problem on my hands. It is more high stress than when I was in school. While in school, you have an instructor to look over all of your medications and watch how you perform your skills, so that you do them correctly. Once you are on your own, there are resources all around you, but it’s pretty much up to you to make things happen.

Is working in the ICU the specialty you wanted to get into when you started the process to become a nurse? If not, how did you end up there? What drew you to working in the ICU?

I worked pre-hospital for 7 years and wanted to explore my options as a RN. I did not want to work somewhere that I would be comfortable and not allow myself to broaden my knowledge base. I also was considering moving on in the near future to become a CRNA or ACNP. I am still unsure if graduate school is in my future, however, I start my BSN in August. I figured that critical care is another challenging way to build my knowledge, as an emergency provider. It is also a great way to become a well-rounded RN. If you can hack it in the ICU as a new graduate nurse, you can hack it in any department, at any hospital, in my opinion. I chose to work for a Level 1 teaching hospital. This means that we have the highest inpatient acuity. We admit some of the most sick and unstable patients in the area, which allows me to see some cases that no one else may ever see in their lifetime. Not even as a seasoned nurse, with many years of experience.

What are the challenges you face working in your specialty, and what do you find most rewarding?

One of the biggest challenges in the ICU, especially in a neurosurgical unit, is the amount of mortality that we deal with. Even when patients end up surviving, they have major life altering deficits that affect not only the patient, but their family and friends, also. I see many families that have to make very difficult decisions regarding loved ones, and sometimes you see the results of these decisions. Families go to extreme lengths to keep a family member alive. However, the long-term effects can be detrimental to the patient and the family. It is unfortunate and can be very upsetting to witness what these individuals must go through. Since beginning my RN journey, my outlook and perspective on life have changed dramatically.

Can you describe your typical day on the floor?

A typical day on my unit consists of getting report from the night shift RN. We have a unit huddle every morning, where our nurse manager discusses any important unit issues or things that need to be addressed. I assess my patients as soon as I arrive and start to organize my day. Sometimes my day will go as planned, but most of the time it does not. On day shift, we do “rounds,” where the providers, charge nurse, dietary, OT, PT, and case management will come around and get a quick update on each patient. We figure out a plan from there and what the goal is for each patient. How my day will unfold depends on the patient. If my patient is complex and needs more attention, then they will be getting what they need. We act as a team on my unit and if anyone needs help, there are more than enough hands to go around. Meds are given, interventions are completed as necessary, and families are taken care of on an individual basis. I like to involve family as much as possible, as it will help make my day and the patient’s day move along smoothly. If they will help feed a patient that needs feeding, I will show them what to do. If they would like to help suction a patient’s mouth when they need it, I will give them a quick lesson on how to use the suction catheter. It is all about keeping them involved and making them feel like they are able to do something for their loved one. This especially helps in a time when some of these families feel so helpless.

What personal and professional traits do you think qualify someone to work in the ICU as a nurse?

To work in the ICU, you must have patience, first and foremost. There is a saying that ICU nurses are “OCD” and Emergency Department nurses tend to be more “fly by the seat of their pants”. I think someone can find a happy medium between both, and be a great nurse, in both realms. Patience in learning, patience with people, patience with yourself. That is key to becoming a great ICU nurse. It is not an easy path, to choose to work with some of the sickest people on this earth. There are days that are extremely challenging, even for someone who is used to dealing with very sick or injured people. You have to also be able to have good coping skills. If you are the type of person that takes your work home with you, then the ICU may not be a great job for you. Some of the situations you encounter can be trying and you have to be able to handle it in a healthy manner. ICU is not for the faint of heart, but if you are up for the challenge, it is very rewarding.

What advice would you give to someone considering working as a nurse in the ICU?

I think if you are considering working in the ICU that perhaps you should get some experience and shadow someone in that unit, before jumping in headfirst. I believe, in nursing, no matter what you chose as your path, it is always a good practice to shadow and see if it is something you are going to enjoy doing for twelve hours a day. It may not be everything you thought it would be. Make sure it is something you will enjoy. If not, becoming a nurse is a great opportunity to branch out and find something of interest. There are many avenues in this field, which is the main reason I went to school to become a RN. Opportunities are endless! The only quality that all RNs must have is that they must be compassionate and caring. If you are both of these things, then the nursing world is your oyster.

Interested in sharing some insight about your specialty and experience with your fellow nurses? Email us to set up an interview.


Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Best and Worst States to Be A Nurse

Maine is the top place to be a nurse, and D.C. is the worst, according to new survey results. Where does your state land on the list?

The nursing industry is alive and well, and it is expected to grow at more than double the rate of the average occupation through 2026. But where is it best, and worst, to be a nurse?

New findings from WalletHub, as determined by comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 21 crucial metrics, including average salary, average starting salary, nursing job openings, patient ratios, and more, offer some insight. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most promising conditions to be a nurse.

Below are the top five best and worst states and their scores, as found by the survey, as well as other key findings.

Top Five Best Places to Be A Nurse

  1. Maine (62.96/100)
  2. Montana (62.07/100)
  3. Washington (61.41/100)
  4. Wyoming (61.31/100)
  5. New Mexico (61.11/100)

Top Five Worst Places to Be A Nurse

  1. District of Columbia (33.08/100)
  2. Hawaii (38.49/100)
  3. Vermont (44.88/100)
  4. Alabama (45.58/100)
  5. Louisiana (46.27/100)

Most Nursing Job Openings Per Capita: Vermont
Highest Annual Nursing Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living: Arizona
Most Healthcare Facilities Per Capita: South Dakota
Lowest Competition by 2024: Nevada
Highest Percentage of Population Aged 65+ by 2030: Florida

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Defining Nursing Career Success on Your Own Terms

Your definition of a successful nursing career may look vastly different than that of your fellow nurses, and that is okay, because career success is a personal thing.

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

Every nurse and healthcare professional has the opportunity to define success in their own way. However, how many of us allow our nursing careers to be defined by someone else. How can we seize control of our careers and define success on our own terms?

Beyond a Cookie Cutter Career

At this time in your life, your definition of success may mean earning your Masters in Nursing by the time you’re 35 and your PhD or DNP by the time you’re 45. For one of your nurse colleagues, success may mean getting a BSN and finding a job that will pay the bills and put a child through college. For another, it’s taking a year off and traveling the globe on an around-the-world ticket. And why not?

There are many prescriptions for a successful nursing career, but cookie-cutter solutions are just approximations of what’s possible for you. What works for Jane the nurse doesn’t necessarily add up for Bill the nurse — Jane and Bill have different life histories, goals, professional experiences, family circumstances and responsibilities, so they each need to forge an individualized path forward.

Just because “they” say you need two years of med/surg before pursuing other opportunities doesn’t make that true for you. As a new grad, I skipped med/surg and acute care altogether and never looked back as I created a career focused on community health and home health nursing — did I miss out on some experiences? Sure. Do I care? Not really. It was my choice, and the consequences of that decision are mine to bear, whatever they may be.

Your Own Compass

When a hiker strikes off into the woods, they often use a compass (whether an old-fashioned version or an app) to keep from getting lost. All compasses universally point out where north, south, east, and west are, and the hiker can use those cardinal directions in concert with a detailed topographic map in order to make good decisions about where they’re heading.

Not so with a nursing or healthcare career — true north for one nurse is dead wrong for another. For most new grads, that first professional expedition out of school means marching right into an acute care position — that’s true north in many cases. But for us nurse iconoclasts, rebels, and black sheep, we may very well turn around and march in a completely opposite direction than our peers, and that’s OK.

Wherever you happen to be in your nursing career, it’s your responsibility to find your own compass and solicit the drummer who will play the beat that moves your feet towards your own definition of success.

Defining Your Success

In order to take the bull by the horns and define success on your own terms, you need to know what you think and feel. This may seem rudimentary, but many of us allow ourselves to be buffeted by the winds of opinion that others force on us. We may also be influenced by our peers’ choices, even if they themselves don’t tell us what we should be choosing or doing.

Knowing what you truly think and feel necessitates exploring your motivations, goals, and desires, as well as identifying the preconceived notions that you brought to your professional nursing career. We all have career baggage, as well as self-judgments that hold us back and keep us from making choices that are truest to our nature.

These questions (and others, of course) may hopefully lead to further exploration and the uncovering of what you really want:

  • What are my greatest strengths? What do I bring to the table as a nurse and healthcare professional?
  • What are my “weaknesses”? Where do I need to bolster my knowledge, expertise, and/or experience?
  • What are the things that are potential threats to my success and happiness? (e.g.: Do I lack motivation? Am I going through a difficult divorce? Do I have medical or mental health conditions that impact me negatively at home or at work? Is a lot of my energy taken up by caring for an elderly parent or disabled loved one?)
  • What opportunities are out there just waiting for me to seize them?
  • Who do I know who might be a good networking connection?
  • What are past experiences that can lead to new opportunities in the future?

Staying Focused

Many factors will influence what we do in our nursing careers over time. If your personal circumstances change (e.g.: divorce, marriage, birth of a child, etc), you may need to make some adjustments in your work schedule. If your hospital is bought by a big corporation and heads are rolling left and right, you may need to abandon ship before things get really bad.

Threats, opportunities, and stuff that just plain happens may cause you to lose focus and deviate from a very clear career plan. These abrupt turns can be advantageous happy accidents, but they can also lead you unhappily astray.

Staying focused means you consciously choose to keep your eyes on the prize, maintain the integrity of your plans, and simultaneously be open to serendipity and the unknown. An open mind will serve you best in just about all situations.

Know Thyself

Creating a nursing career on your own terms calls on you to know yourself as well as possible. The aforementioned advice is just the tip of the iceberg: find coaches, mentors, counselors, therapists, colleagues, and/or accountability partners who can listen well, hold your feet to the fire, question your motivations, and otherwise be there when you’re at your strongest or your weakest.

Dig deep and get to know yourself. If you do nothing else, self-reflection and increased self-knowledge will benefit every aspect of your life, not to mention your relationships with those around you.

Defining your nursing career on your own terms isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not as simple as it seems. Do the work, put in the sweat equity, and you’ll be rewarded with self-knowledge, self-confidence, and an understanding of what makes you tick in both your personal and professional lives. The rest is icing on the cake.


Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is co-host of RNFMRadio.com, a wildly popular nursing podcast; he also hosts The Nurse Keith Show, his own podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of “Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century,” and has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiViews News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AusMed, American Sentinel University, the ANA blog, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, online nurse personality, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known successful nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

When Nurses Receive Their Due

Athletes and entertainers rake in millions—multimillions, actually—while those who save lives, such as nurses, struggle to make ends meet, put food on the table, and repay their student loans.

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

Most nurses will readily admit that they didn’t choose nursing because of the astronomically high paychecks. Sure, nursing can be a relatively remunerative career, but there are plenty of other professions that are significantly more financially rewarding (and free of some of the challenges that nurses face on a daily basis). So, what if nurses were paid a whole lot more in exchange for saving—and otherwise improving—the lives of a grateful public?

Multimillion Dollar Players

We all know that entertainers and athletes make a lot of money, whether it’s deserved or not. NFL players sign multimillion dollar contracts in return for throwing and catching a ball (and, admittedly, running a lot), and singers and entertainers rake in millions in exchange for strumming their guitars, singing, dancing, and cavorting on stage and in music videos. Meanwhile, we all know that actors also make multimillions—and let’s not forget those lucrative product endorsements.

Don’t get me wrong—sports and the arts contribute greatly to the fabric of societies the world over, and there are many individuals who could honestly say that a song or movie saved their life (whether literally or figuratively). While I’ve never followed sports, many fans would likely share that the joy of watching a very exciting game allows them to forget their troubles for a few hours, transporting them to a blissful realm of communal celebration.

So, if those who entertain us and thrill us earn millions per year, why is it that those who are so-called “angels of mercy” or “lifesavers” frequently struggle to make ends meet, put food on the table, and repay their exorbitant student loans?

How Do We Measure Value?

Granted, we place a very high value on entertainment and sports, and I, like millions of others, flock to the movies, download music, and stream movies, and otherwise support the careers of artists, actors, musicians and others whom I admire. While I can’t say that David Byrne’s music has ever saved my life, his music is indeed a part of my personal soundtrack, and the value of that is difficult to measure.

Do nurses deserve to earn more? Absolutely. Can our healthcare infrastructure afford to offer multimillion dollar contracts to every nurse? We’d all likely agree that that would cripple the system overnight. Still, do we value certain services and professions enough to make sure that they are compensated appropriately? Probably not.

Cognitive Dissonance

This modest blog post is not written in the spirit of having any answers to the largely rhetorical questions that it raises, but the questions are well worth considering.

Of course, when millions of people buy the new Rolling Stones CD and pay several hundred dollars each to watch Mick Jagger strut his stuff live on stage in some massive arena, it follows that the Stones’ individual and collective wealth will be mushrooming as the fans scream for more.

I don’t begrudge Mick or his fellow bandmates their wealth, but I also wonder why an ER nurse who plunges her gloved hand into the gaping wound of a patient to stop a life-threatening hemorrhage and save a life doesn’t earn more than $40 per hour (and in some cases much less than that). And if that nurse was saving the life of said Mr. Jagger, for instance, does that make her actions more valuable than if she were holding the severed femoral artery of a carpenter, hairdresser, or homeless person?

This is where I experience cognitive dissonance while still having no answer to the question of why that disparity of income truly exists—and what can be done about it, if anything.

I Have No Answers

Truly, I have no answers, but I certainly have many questions.

The communal experience of a Rolling Stones concert (which I’ve never had the pleasure to attend, mind you) could indeed give a concertgoer such transcendent pleasure that her emotional wounds of the day could very well be assuaged for a brief time as she falls under the Stones’ well-rehearsed magical spell. The reverberations of that experience could also positively impact her well-being for days or weeks to come.

Now, if that same individual was in a car accident and a nurse or paramedic was able to reverse her flatline and bring her back from the brink of death, is that experience more important or life-changing than the Rolling Stones concert? I would imagine it probably is. Still, the earning potential of that nurse or paramedic would not generally be impacted by having saved that life, while the aforementioned Mick Jagger would settle into his limousine, stopping by the bank to deposit another check for $3 million. (Actually, I’m sure Mick hasn’t set foot in a bank for decades.)

Can this playing field be leveled? I doubt it. Should it? Yes, indeed. But this is actually a societal issue in the largest sense of that notion, and the answers are obviously very elusive, at best.

An Endless Conundrum

Sure, nurses will never earn as much as brain surgeons, and that’s okay since brain surgeons undergo a great deal more education and training while also carrying an astronomical liability for the work that they do.

Nurses will also never earn as much as Mick Jagger, and they certainly won’t receive the adulation that good old Mick receives, even though they’ve held those severed arteries and saved lives galore.

This question of relative value and income is one worth considering, and readers’ responses are welcome. Again, I have no answers&mash;only more questions—but conversations about such issues are a valuable exercise in measuring and assessing our individual and collective values.

So, the next time a nurse saves your life or the life of a loved one, consider how much that means to you as compared to, say, watching Mike Jagger strut and crow like a rooster. A front row seat to see the Rolling Stones is exhilarating, but so is the sight of a nurse saving the life of the person you love the most.

What is value? What is valuable? And how do we measure relative value of those who touch our lives in one way or another? The conundrum remains unanswered.


Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is co-host of RNFMRadio.com, a wildly popular nursing podcast; he also hosts The Nurse Keith Show, his own podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of “Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century,” and has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiViews News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AusMed, American Sentinel University, the ANA blog, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, online nurse personality, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known successful nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Summer Reading for the Stressed Out Healthcare Practitioner

There is no time like the present to start practicing self care, and Debut A New You, a new book by Mimi Secor, is a fantastic place to begin.

Are you tired of feeling unhealthy, stressed out, overwhelmed, but you don’t know where to start? Well, guess what? In my NEW #1 International Best-Selling book, Debut a New You: Transforming Your Life at Any Age, I teach you how to change your life, become healthier, build your confidence and become more successful than you ever imagined possible.

As a nurse practitioner for the past 41 years I know what it’s like to be stressed out and unhealthy while meeting everyone else’s needs. But you can’t serve from an empty vessel. It’s time for you to become healthy so you can be a role model for your patients, family and community and, most of all feel, good about yourself. That’s powerful medicine. So, join me as I challenge you to jumpstart your health and new life TODAY.

To order my book, just go to DebutANewYou.com. Join my mail list by texting “DrMimi” to 36260.


Dr. Mimi Secor is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in Women’s Health for 36 years and is a popular National Speaker and Consultant, educating advanced practice clinicians and consumers around the country and the world.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

10 Interview Tips for Nurses

Interviewing for a new nursing job? Here are 10 tips to help you make sure you are well-prepared and set up for success on the big day.

by Deborah Swanson

Interviewing for a job can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first job out of nursing school. However, there are several steps you can take to make sure you are well-prepared and set up for success on the big day. Here are 10 tips that can help make any nursing interview go smoothly:

1. Plan Ahead for the Interview

Research parking options and plan out your route beforehand. Google Maps desktop version has a feature that lets you forecast how long it will take to get your destination at particular times of day, such as rush hour. Check the weather and try on clothing the night before to decide on an outfit. You should wear professional clothing — suits for men and a dress or a blouse and skirt or pants for women — rather than scrubs to the interview.

If the clothing needs to be washed, ironed, steamed or starched, starting the night before will give a chance to take care of that. If you wear jewelry or makeup, choose what you’re going to wear so you’re not scrambling to figure it out the morning of.

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

Interview jitters can keep you up at night, but try to sleep as much as possible the nights leading up to the interview so you can look fresh and think more clearly. If you have trouble falling asleep, a hot bath, caffeine-free tea, eye mask and melatonin can help you relax and fall or stay asleep. Try to avoid drinking alcohol, watching TV right before bedtime and other activities that can decrease or disturb your sleep.

3. Eat and Drink the Smart Way

You don’t want your stomach to growl loudly during the entire interview, so even if you’re nervous, try to eat a few hours before the appointment. Stick to nourishing foods that you know won’t upset your stomach or otherwise cause discomfort. Try not to overly caffeinate yourself, as this will only make you jittery, and drinking too much soda can cause belching and other stomach upset. Bring a bottle of water with you in case your mouth gets dry during the interview, and get there early enough that you have time to use the bathroom if necessary.

4. Research the Company and/or Position

Knowing as much as you can about the facility and the nursing position will give you concrete information to ask questions about during the interview. It will also demonstrate to the interviewer that you are truly interested in the job and did your research beforehand — they won’t hire someone who didn’t care enough to learn about the company before the interview.

5. Ask Your Network for Advice

If you have nursing contacts who have worked at this particular company or facility, reach out to them to ask about their experience and what you should know about the company going into the interview. Even if you don’t know anyone who works at the place you’re interviewing, you should still reach out to your more experienced nursing friends for advice, especially if you’re interviewing for your first nursing job after school. They’ll be able to advise you on what questions to prepare for.

6. Practice Your Interview Answers

No matter what kind of job you’re interviewing for, you can expect some questions to pop up over and over again: Why do you want this job? What makes you qualified for this position? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why did you choose to become an RN? Where do you see yourself in five years? Make a list of expected questions and outline some bullet points that you can use to answer them. Then practice your answers, either by yourself or with a willing helper. The point is not to memorize the answers, but rather to feel comfortable discussing the content so you won’t suddenly go blank during the interview.

7. But Remember There Will Be Some Curveball Questions

There’s no way to anticipate every single question an interviewer might ask you, so no matter how much prep work you do in advance, there will probably be one or two surprises. When this happens, take a sip of water or write down a note to give yourself a moment to think. If that’s not a possibility, you can even tell the interviewer, “That’s a really good question; give me a minute to think about it,” to buy yourself a few seconds to gather your thoughts.

8. Be Prepared to Ask Questions of Your Own

In most job interviews, the hiring manager will leave time at the end to answer any questions you may have. If you don’t have any questions ready to ask, it can seem like you haven’t done your homework on the company or that you weren’t paying attention during the interview — neither of which makes a good impression. Using your research, make up a list of questions you can ask beforehand about relevant topics, such as training programs for new nurses or scheduling requirements and patient ratios.

9. Don’t Forget That You’re Interviewing Them, Too

During interviews, it can feel like you’re on trial for a new job. But don’t forget that you’re also interviewing the company or facility to figure out if the job would be a good fit for your professional goals and interests. Asking questions will not only show that you’re active and engaged in the interview; it will also help you determine if the culture and job duties are in line with what you’re looking for.

10. Send a Thank You Note

If you have a phone interview, a quick email thank-you within 24 hours will show that you’re still interested in the position and grateful for the interviewer’s time. If you were called in for an in-person interview — especially if it’s the final round — you should send an email thank you within 24 hours as well, followed by a written thank-you within the week if you haven’t heard back.

Some people advocate for only handwritten thank-yous, but if the hiring manager is trying to make a decision within a few days, snail mail might not reach him or her in time. In all thank-you notes, be sure to reference something specific that you talked about to jog the interviewer’s memory.

Planning ahead can make the day of a big interview much less stressful. Follow these 10 steps to make sure you’re prepared to ace your nursing job interview.


 

Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com. A site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. She keeps busy interviewing caregivers and writing about them and loves gardening.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.