Decisions decisions....What made you choose where you work?

I am currently unemployed and in the process of interviews ........I graduated in May 0f 2010 with my BSN. While in school I completed internships at a Pediatric hospital. After graduation I also did an externship with a local hospital on their med-surg unit.I quickly learned that I ADORE patient care but hated the hospital setting. I prefer small medical practices.

My first real nursing job was in 2011 through May of 2012. I was a public health nurse at a Health Department not in my county, where I worked in Family Planning and was also cross-trained in Pediatrics, and some family medicine. Sadly, I ended up with a severe case of pneumonia that landed me in the hospital and I ultimately resigned from the health department (and it killed me to do it). I adored what I did there! Teaching, coming to work with a set plan for the day.

I am not on the job hunt. I have applied many times at the health department in my county with no response yet. I have had interview at an Adult Medicine/Internal Medicine practice for a nurse/telephone triage position. They did warn me that I would be mostly on the phone or computer for that job. I also have an upcoming interview next week with a pediatric practice.

I did have one offer from an orthopedic practice but the doctor they were wanting me to work for, they described as "needing his hand held & super needy"...that he pretty much had no say in his day to day work...it was all ME. It just sounded like too much for me. I want a place where I can gain longevity, grown, and learn. I am just so confused as to what I want.....I love small family medicine or pediatric practices, of course Public Health especially. I want somewhere where I can be accepted and continue to learn new skills.

My question is...what made you choose where you work? What should I specifically ask about when interviewing for positions that I may be missing? I want to make the best decision for me, a decision I can be confident about.

Thank You for reading!
Always ask about nurse to patient ratios. That is the big one ( at least for me ).

And I noticed a typo....I AM currently interviewing lol!!

I chose my job because the interview had some of the typical questions but it seemed relaxed like a normal conversation. The people were welcoming, friendly, and polite. They seemed to be excited about their area of work. When getting a tour everything was well organized and clean. Make sure you know about scheduling, ratios, types of pts you'll see, training, overtime, opportunities for learning, etc. Best wishes!

I chose where I worked because I was there during my nursing school clinical and it seemed like a friendly place. I was also a local girl however

I choose to float because I don't have to deal with all the floor politics. Also the fact that I set my own schedule and don't have to work weekends or holidays if I don't want to. But if I were to go back to a permanent position, patient ratios would be a HUGE factor for me.Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I chose my 1st job b/c it was a day shift, the people seemed friendly, and the building was clean and had lots of light.My new job I chose b/c it is close to my house, and b/c it will provide ample opportunity to learn new skills. Also, of all the interviews I have had, this one was the least stressful.

I chose my u it based on what I know about myself: I enjoy working primarily with women and infants, don't really care for total care elderly patients. The facility I chose is 14 hours from where I graduated school, and I chose it bc I was interested in a residency program, it was in the area I wanted, and the staff seemed super friendly. I start next week on a family care unit(new moms/nursery) next week and hope I love it as much as I think I will!

your explanations and suggestions about what to ask during an interview are really helping. Keep em' coming

Quote from DoeRNI choose to float because I don't have to deal with all the floor politics. Also the fact that I set my own schedule and don't have to work weekends or holidays if I don't want to. But if I were to go back to a permanent position, patient ratios would be a HUGE factor for me.Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Quote from HeatherGurl84your explanations and suggestions about what to ask during an interview are really helping. Keep em' coming

Quote from MiaNursingStudentSome people say not to ask this... And to be honest I've asked only once (bc this is my first job out of nursing school)... But I asked what the turnover rate on the unit was- if it was high- why? I had the pleasure of doing my senior clinicals on the unit I work on now so I knew what type of leadership skills my nursing manager had-- she comes to work in scrubs and helps us with admits and discharges when we get really busy. I asked what unit goals that the unit was currently working towards. stuff like that