What are some questions I should ask in an interview to know whether the hospital is a good fit in regards to pay, shifts, and work environment?
Pay is something you typically discuss with the recruiter. In many states such as in California they're supposed to disclose the pay range. That of course will vary on your education, experience, and certification.
Either with the recruiter or with a person interviewing you, I would ask what their need is. That's what positions they have a need and how their shifts are structured.
The primary focus though on your interview is on you being a good fit for the position and they being a good fit for you. I feel the interview should always be on what you bring to the table how your experience, regardless of how much you have, lends itself for you to be a good fit for the position.
Asking about culture in the environment at the organization is a great question. Based on what they say that should give you some insight on how the environment is. If more than one person is interviewing you I would definitely pay attention to the interaction between the two or more people interviewing you. One nice question I like to ask is how long they have been working at the organization. My follow-up question to that is what keeps them there. Questions geared in this manner show that you have an interest in the position and the organization.
I'm a big believer that skill is something that you can teach but attitude is much more difficult to change. Most people hiring for a nursing position or any other position in general are looking at candidates that have similar qualifications. So the determining Factor might come down to you're fit in the organization. Hope this helps.
For the most part don't worry about the money, someone will pay you for your skill.
My go to question is always about the turnover/retention rate of nurses in that company. It's always good to know if many employees are leaving because that could signify poor management/work environment.
Never underestimate YouTube. There are many videos that have interview advice.
Most applications posted the shifts and weekend and holidays work requirements. The HR will let you know the pay if they are interested in giving an offer. Never ask about the work environment directly, I asked whether they think I would be a good fit to the patients and other coworkers in the unit.
1) Pay: If you have experience, this can be somewhat negotiable. Larger hospitals tend to have a wage formula that is based on experience for a job offer. Many don't have room to move wages in the Madison, WI area FME; you take what you get. I submit pay requirements with applications where I have been "headhunted" to ensure I get what I want/need for wage.
2) Shift: know what you are willing to accept and only apply for those. Day/rotator and PM/night mean you will be scheduled for any shifts as a day/rotator (despite any assurances in the interview), and PM/night means generally 1500-2300 with changes to be NOC. Make sure you read through the job description because once hired, this is your only recourse if you are being scheduled outside the position you applied and accepted to.
3) Work environment: shadow. Make that a requirement for job acceptance. I've had experiences with shadowing that made me absolutely certain where I WOULD NOT work.
