The Importance of Interviewing the Nurse Manager Before Accepting a Nursing Position

That first nursing job can feel exciting. When nursing graduates begin getting job interviews, the realization that their careers are about to start can be a rush of endorphins.

Teamwork and Management Styles

Nursing requires teamwork, which is why nursing graduates need to consider the entire workplace atmosphere of the position before accepting it.

For example, the supervisor could be a bad manager or a bad personality fit for the nursing graduate. Conflict with the nursing manager can lead to poor patient care over time. If the nursing manager degrades nurses for doing their job, then how well can the team work together? This is why nurses should also interview their immediate supervisors before accepting any position.

Good managers are important for staff retention, according to a 2013 Australian study. Managers who show compassion for their staff, encourage them where appropriate, and correct staff members who make honest mistakes with firmness and kindness tend to be viewed favorably by their subordinates. The key is to develop a combination of engagement, trust, and respect.

Think about the alternative. If nursing managers do not value their staff, then their staff will not do as well under pressure. It will also be difficult for staff to work as a team when they feel like they have to second-guess everything they do. This can put patients’ lives at risk. It can also make the job uncomfortable, especially for any nurses who have been singled out by the nursing manager for conflict.

Questions to Ask the Nurse Manager

There are a few questions that nurses should ask their potential nursing managers before accepting the nursing position. We suggest the following questions:

• How would you describe your ideal employee?
• What does “teamwork” mean for you and your team?
• How often do you communicate with the team and/or hold staff meetings?
• What are your expectations of nurses as employees? As professional nurses?
• What is your leadership and management style?

Interviewing the nursing manager means that you, as a nurse, can understand whether this particular manager would be a good fit for your personality and work style. Some people enjoy micro-management, while others prefer to have a hands-off approach with the option to communicate with the nursing manager as needed. This will also help you to decide if the position is a good fit for you.