Chapter 04: Employment Considerations:
Opportunities, Resumes, and Interviewing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The interviewer says, “We are looking for a bright, interested, empathetic, hard-
working person for this position in oncology nursing. Do you fit this bill?” The
new graduate nurse is interested, carried a straight C average, and has worked full
time while going to school. Assuming the following statements are true, what
would be the best answer?
a. “I’m definitely interested in oncology, and I think I’m a hard worker. My
instructor said I was developing empathy. My grade point average of C
doesn’t reflect my real ability.” .
b. “My previous employer rated my work as excellent. It was there that I
became interested in helping support oncology patients as they cope with
their illness. I chose to do independent study on emotional reactions to the
diagnosis of cancer and received an A.”
c. “I worked full time while going to school, so my grades suffered. I’ve had
my share of life’s disappointments, so I can sympathize with cancer
patients. I will work hard, but I have to make time for my family, too.”
d. “I’m interested. My parents always told me I was bright. I work as hard as
the next person. I’ve learned not to get too involved with patients.”
ANS: B
The new graduate should focus on strengths and accomplishments during the
interview and relate them to the position he or she is applying for. The interviewee
should not provide extraneous information or make excuses for a C average. The
interviewee should keep it professional (avoid comments about sympathizing with
patients); the interviewer does not care about the applicant’s family’s opinion.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: Box 4.6 OBJ: Discuss typical questions asked by interviewers. TOP:
The interview process MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
2. As the interview is drawing to a close, the interviewer asks the applicant, “What
questions could I answer for you?” Which of the following questions would it be
most advisable to ask to create a favorable impression?
a. “What will happen if I am unable to meet the outcomes for the
competency-based orientation?”
b. “Do you still have tuition reimbursement for courses to obtain my next
degree?”
c. “How soon will I be responsible for supervision of other staff?”
d. “After completing orientation, when will the first pay raise be given?”
ANS: C
Prepare a few questions. This will be the applicant’s opportunity to gather important
details and possibly impress the interviewer by showing interest in the position. Keep
questions on the positive side, and inquire about responsibilities of the position. It
would be inappropriate to inquire about pay raises at this time. Inquiries about pay
and tuition reimbursement would be appropriate after the job offer has been provided.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 85 OBJ: Discuss typical questions asked by interviewers. .
TOP: The interview process MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
3. A new graduate uses social networking (i.e., Facebook) as a means of
communicating with family and friends. What is important for the new graduate
to consider when posting information on Facebook in terms of seeking
employment?
a. Use a professional photo, perhaps just a headshot.
b. Set the Facebook site to public so recruiters can search and find.
, c. Provide pictures of family and friends and remove any inappropriate
information.
d. Avoid using social networking sites because employers do not like them.
ANS: A
It is important to make a good impression with a potential employer; remember that
the new graduate’s appearance on the social networking website will be what an
employer first sees. Be sure to use a professional photo, perhaps just a headshot, and
make the Facebook account private to prevent employers from searching for you if
you want to use the Facebook account for family and friends. Potential employers
may dismiss you as a candidate after viewing inappropriate photographs or
information. LinkedIn is primarily a website for job networking.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 75 OBJ: Identify primary aspects of obtaining employment. TOP:
Social networking MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
4. Which of the following assignments should the new nurse question before
accepting? .
a. A 38-year-old man with cellulitis of the right arm
b. A 25-year-old woman with a left femur fracture
c. A charge nurse over the unit for the day .
d. A 50-year-old man with right hip replacement
ANS: C
New nurses should not be placed in the charge nurse role until the role of staff nurse
has been mastered. New nurses who must accept the role of charge nurse should
consider their resources in order to maintain safety for the patients. The other
assignments are appropriate for the new nurse.
Opportunities, Resumes, and Interviewing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The interviewer says, “We are looking for a bright, interested, empathetic, hard-
working person for this position in oncology nursing. Do you fit this bill?” The
new graduate nurse is interested, carried a straight C average, and has worked full
time while going to school. Assuming the following statements are true, what
would be the best answer?
a. “I’m definitely interested in oncology, and I think I’m a hard worker. My
instructor said I was developing empathy. My grade point average of C
doesn’t reflect my real ability.” .
b. “My previous employer rated my work as excellent. It was there that I
became interested in helping support oncology patients as they cope with
their illness. I chose to do independent study on emotional reactions to the
diagnosis of cancer and received an A.”
c. “I worked full time while going to school, so my grades suffered. I’ve had
my share of life’s disappointments, so I can sympathize with cancer
patients. I will work hard, but I have to make time for my family, too.”
d. “I’m interested. My parents always told me I was bright. I work as hard as
the next person. I’ve learned not to get too involved with patients.”
ANS: B
The new graduate should focus on strengths and accomplishments during the
interview and relate them to the position he or she is applying for. The interviewee
should not provide extraneous information or make excuses for a C average. The
interviewee should keep it professional (avoid comments about sympathizing with
patients); the interviewer does not care about the applicant’s family’s opinion.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: Box 4.6 OBJ: Discuss typical questions asked by interviewers. TOP:
The interview process MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
2. As the interview is drawing to a close, the interviewer asks the applicant, “What
questions could I answer for you?” Which of the following questions would it be
most advisable to ask to create a favorable impression?
a. “What will happen if I am unable to meet the outcomes for the
competency-based orientation?”
b. “Do you still have tuition reimbursement for courses to obtain my next
degree?”
c. “How soon will I be responsible for supervision of other staff?”
d. “After completing orientation, when will the first pay raise be given?”
ANS: C
Prepare a few questions. This will be the applicant’s opportunity to gather important
details and possibly impress the interviewer by showing interest in the position. Keep
questions on the positive side, and inquire about responsibilities of the position. It
would be inappropriate to inquire about pay raises at this time. Inquiries about pay
and tuition reimbursement would be appropriate after the job offer has been provided.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 85 OBJ: Discuss typical questions asked by interviewers. .
TOP: The interview process MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
3. A new graduate uses social networking (i.e., Facebook) as a means of
communicating with family and friends. What is important for the new graduate
to consider when posting information on Facebook in terms of seeking
employment?
a. Use a professional photo, perhaps just a headshot.
b. Set the Facebook site to public so recruiters can search and find.
, c. Provide pictures of family and friends and remove any inappropriate
information.
d. Avoid using social networking sites because employers do not like them.
ANS: A
It is important to make a good impression with a potential employer; remember that
the new graduate’s appearance on the social networking website will be what an
employer first sees. Be sure to use a professional photo, perhaps just a headshot, and
make the Facebook account private to prevent employers from searching for you if
you want to use the Facebook account for family and friends. Potential employers
may dismiss you as a candidate after viewing inappropriate photographs or
information. LinkedIn is primarily a website for job networking.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application/Applying
REF: p. 75 OBJ: Identify primary aspects of obtaining employment. TOP:
Social networking MSC: NCLEX®: Not applicable
4. Which of the following assignments should the new nurse question before
accepting? .
a. A 38-year-old man with cellulitis of the right arm
b. A 25-year-old woman with a left femur fracture
c. A charge nurse over the unit for the day .
d. A 50-year-old man with right hip replacement
ANS: C
New nurses should not be placed in the charge nurse role until the role of staff nurse
has been mastered. New nurses who must accept the role of charge nurse should
consider their resources in order to maintain safety for the patients. The other
assignments are appropriate for the new nurse.
