Chapter 27

Question 1

You are meeting with your mentor who asks you about the elements needed for effective strategic career planning. If you give the following responses, which would your mentor want to further clarify?

a. assessing your values, interests, and the job market
b. determining your career path
c. planning and implementing a job search
d. performing ongoing evaluation to assure alignment with your vision and goals

Answer 1

B: Further clarification is needed if you responded determining your career path. The four criteria for effective strategic planning in relation to career planning include; determining your vision and goals (not just your career path); assessing your values, interests and the job market; planning and implementing a job search; and performing ongoing evaluation to assure alignment with your vision and goals. INTRODUCTION

Question 2

Two new graduate nurses are doing some strategic career planning and have decided to pursue careers as pediatric nurses, even though they did not do very well in their pediatric rotation and do not feel very comfortable with children. Because they are best friends and want to work together, they have targeted children’s hospitals but they don’t know what to do first. Which aspect(s) of strategic career planning should they pursue first?

a. assessing and clarifying values and interests
b. planning and implementing a job search
c. ongoing evaluation of process to assure alignment with her goals
d. determine what the job market is like

Answer 2

A: The two friends have selected pediatric nursing as their initial career path target, but they are not comfortable with their past performance or comfortable when working with children. Since this appears to be in conflict with their inner comfort or abilities, they should reevaluate the selection of pediatric nursing before pursuing employment in this field in order to avoid job dissatisfaction and/or anxiety. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

Question 3

Research on nurse retention has indicated that many nurses leave nursing after a what period of time?

a. 10 years c. 5 years or less
b. 7 years or less d. before the end of the first year

Answer 3

C: Hodges, Keeley, and Troyan (2008) noted that many nurses were leaving the field of nursing after a period of 5 years or less, which may be due to the changes in the workforce and changing values in today’s society. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS

Question 4

A nursing instructor wants to determine if the students understand the acronym SMART which can be used to help determination goals in career planning. Which comment by a student would indicate that further teaching is needed?

a. S- specific c. A - acceptable
b. M - measurable d. R- realistic

Answer 4

C: The nursing instructor would recognize that further teaching is needed if a student responded that A = acceptable. The acronym SMART when applied to career planning stands for S = specific, M = measurable, A = achievable, R = realistic, and T = timely. DETERMINING YOU GOALS

Question 5

A new graduate nurse is setting career goals. The nurse has decided to work in the operating room of a county hospital for three years while pursuing a degree as an advanced practice nurse. Which type of goal is this?

a. long-term c. initial
b. intermediate d. short-term

Answer 5

B: The nurse’s plan to work in a county hospital operating room for three years while pursuing an advanced nursing degree is an example of an intermediate career goal. A short-term goal for this nurse might be to work in an acute care setting for one year to gain the expertise to move to a more specialized area. An example of a long-term goal for this nurse might be to work open a group practice of CRNAs to provide coverage for the small rural hospital in the town where nurse grew up. CRITICAL THINKING 27-2

Question 6

You are adding a cover letter to the resume that you are sending to a potential employer. You recognize that a cover letter important because of which of the following?

a. It can be one of your first marketing strategies.
b. It is a good way to get your foot in the door.
c. It can be used to detail your accomplishments to a potential employer.
d. It can be used in lieu of a resume.

Answer 6

A: Cover letters are one of the first opportunities you have in presenting yourself to a potential employer. They are good marketing and advertising techniques and should be worded carefully and precisely. PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 7

A nurse writes a cover letter to a potential employer. The nurse recognizes that one of the major components of a cover letter is that it should be:

a. one page in length
b. a detailed commercial about yourself
c. one to two pages in length
d. started with a general salutation

Answer 7

A; A cover letter is a type of marketing and advertising strategy for presenting oneself to a potential employer. They should be no longer than one page in length and provide a brief (not detailed) commercial about you, and should be specifically addressed to a person, not a company or a general salutation PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 8

Just as there are certain components that should be included in cover letters, there are also those that should not be used. Which in the list of these is not necessarily correct?

a. name signed in non-black or blue ink
b. repeating information
c. non-indented paragraphs
d. more than one page in length

Answer 8

C: Some elements that should not be included in cover letters are signature in any color other than black or blue ink, repeating information, indented paragraphs, and more than one page in length. PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 9

A new graduate nurse recognizes that there are a variety of methods that can be used in planning and implementing an effective job search.. The nurse would hypothesize that the least productive method would involve which of the following?

a. networking through family, friends, and acquaintances
b. reviewing positions advertised in the newspaper
c. attending a job fair
d. showing up at as many hospitals as you can and asking for a job

Answer 9

D: Some effective methods to incorporate into your plan for implementing a job search are networking through family, friends, and acquaintances; reviewing positions advertised in the newspaper (also Internet searches and recruitment agencies/Web sites); and attending a job fair. Showing up at as many hospitals as you can and asking for a job is not a productive means of job searching, even though one may stumble upon a position inadvertently. It is best to do a preliminary search and research the targeted facilities before contacting them. PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A JOB SEARCH

Question 10

A career counselor meets with a group of senior nursing students to discuss the preparation of their résumés. The career counselor would recognize that further clarification is needed if one of the students suggested including which of the following on the resume?

a. highlights of your experiences
b. highlights of your skills
c. your credentials
d. detailed and specific points of information

Answer 10

D: Good résumés include a variety of specific traits that make them good. Some of these traits: skills and experiences are highlighted, credentials are provided, and they are brief and specific (not detailed or long). PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 11

A career counselor is meeting with a group of nursing graduates to discuss the preparation of their résumés. During the discussion the counselor asks the students which elements are important to include in a quality resume. Which element suggested by a student would indicate to the counselor that further clarification is needed?

a. accurate dates
b. off-white or ivory high quality paper with matching envelopes
c. humorous references are always appreciated
d. accurate spelling and grammar

Answer 11

C: Other qualities of good résumés include certain criteria regarding formatting and material presented. Some of these are; accurate dates, off-white or ivory high quality 8.5” x 11” paper with matching envelopes, accurate spelling and grammar, and proofreading of the final document. The use of humor or sarcasm in your résumé is never appropriate. PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 12

You are preparing your résumé or cover letter for a new job. Which of the following should you include?

a. sarcasm and jokes to show your sense of humor
b. bad-mouthing of former employers to negate any negative feedback they may give
c. double checking spelling and grammar after the computer spell check is completed
d. repete certain information several time to emphasize your point

Answer 12

C: When writing résumés and cover letters it is important to double check spelling and grammar after the computer spell check is completed. Also, effective job seekers do not use sarcasm, bad-mouth former employers, or utilize repetitive information. PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 13

A nursing instructor has just completed a lecture on career planning for professional nurses. The instructor questions the students about the criteria that is most effective in career planning. Which response by a student would indicate that further clarification is needed?

a. vision c. goal setting
b. mission d. strategic planning

Answer 13

B: Further clarification is needed if a student responds mission. Career planning does not require the individual to have a mission. Three primary elements for effective control of one’s career planning are developing a vision (long-term goals), creating goals, and making plans to achieve them (strategic planning). INTRODUCTION

Question 14

You are preparing a chronological style of résumé which:

a. highlights skills and experiences rather than job sequences
b. is good to illustrate experience in multiple careers
c. can highlight work experiences from a position of lesser to greater power
d. can be used to highlight a dramatic career change or focus

Answer 14

C: Chronological-style résumé lists jobs in reverse chronological order, is good for those with little or no gaps in their work history, and can highlight work experiences from a position of lesser to that of greater power. Functional-style résumés are good for those who wish to highlight their skills and experiences rather than job sequences. Functional-style résumés can also be used to illustrate experience in multiple careers and highlight a dramatic career change or focus. PREPARATION OF A COVER LETTER AND RESUME

Question 15

Including personal attributes that illustrate your abilities as an effective team player, continuous learner, and consistent performer in your résumé show potential employers that you may be a good fit for their organization. Which is not necessarily a correct attribute?

a. attention to detail
b. seeking out learning opportunities
c. reliability in attendance and punctuality
d. resistance in conflict

Answer 15

D: Personal attributes that highlight your capabilities in certain positive employment skills such as being consistent in your performance, a team player, and a continuous learner enhance a job seeker’s potential. Some of these attributes include attention to detail, seeking out learning opportunities, reliability in attendance and punctuality, demonstrating resilience in resolving conflict (not resistance in conflict), performing therapeutic nursing interventions, and providing a safe and comfortable environment for patients experiencing dementia. RESUME

Question 16

Employers are looking for individuals with employability skills that can be transferred between settings. Which does not necessarily belong?

a. communication c. positive attitudes
b. delegation d. teamwork

Answer 16

B: Some employability skills that employers recognize as sound and good indicators of a potential employee’s performance include communication, problem solving (not necessarily delegation at this stage), positive attitudes and behaviors, adaptability, and teamwork. RESUME

Question 17

The employer-applicant interview contains several phases. Which of the following is not necessarily one of these phases?

a. preparation c. working phase
b. introductory phase d. evaluation phase

Answer 17

D: Once you have secured a job interview, it is important to understand the four phases involved in interviews. They are preparation, an introductory phase, a working phase, and a termination (not evaluation) phase. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 18

You are interviewing for your first nursing position. Under which circumstance would you most likely use the STAR?

a. when recalling behaviors in specified situations
b. as an initial format for starting interview dialogue
c. to enhance strengths and weaknesses
d. when discussing goals and values

Answer 18

A: The STAR format/acronym, when used in interviews, can be beneficial to help nurses remember details and behaviors associated with specific situations. STAR stands for S = specifics (what happened), T = task (the problem or issue), A = action (what you did), and R = result (result of the action). PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 19

A new graduate is interviewing for a nursing position. The nurse recruiter begins to ask the graduate a number of questions. The graduate recognizes that the nurse recruiter can legally ask about which of the following?

a. citizenship c. cultural heritage
b. career goals d. medical history

Answer 19

B: Not all questions asked in interview situations are legal. Legally acceptable questions include your reason for applying for the job, career goals, any problems you foresee, and your strengths and weaknesses. Some illegal questions that may come up in interviews concern your citizenship, cultural heritage, medical history, age, membership in social or political organizations, family characteristics, gender preference, and sexual orientation. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 20

Some questions may be asked during your interview. Which question, if asked, do you not need to answer?

a. Why do you want to work here?
b. What would your references say?
c. What are your strengths?
d. What do you plan to do with your children if you work overtime?

Answer 20

D: Questions concerning family relationships such as your marital status or children cannot legally be asked during job interviews. Other topics that are not legal are questions related to your social organizations, political or sexual orientation, age, cultural heritage, or health/medical history. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 21

Your grandmother who was a nurse for 50 years at the same hospital finds you working at the dining room table and asks what you are doing. You explain that you are career planning. You grandmother then states, “You already graduated from a good nursing program and secured a nice position at the hospital. What more is there to plan?” Your best response to your grandmother would be which of the following?

a. “I’m trying to decide if I made the right choice for my career.
b. “Career planning requires that I develop my vision, create goals, and making plans to achieve those goals.”
c. “I don’t want to spend my life in a dead-end job”
d. “Grandma, did you really enjoy working in the hospital as a staff nurse?”

Answer 21

B: Your best response would be to tell your grandmother that career planning requires developing a vision, creating goals and making plans to achieve those goals. The other responses do not explain the essence of career planning and would not fully address your grandmother’s question. INTRODUCTION

Question 22

You have submitted an application to the local hospital for a possible staff position and received a letter stating someone would call in order to conduct a phone interview. You are driving to the shopping mall to purchase a graduation outfit because graduation is tomorrow. Suddenly your cellular phone rings. It is the Nurse Recruiter stating that she is calling to interview you. The noise from the traffic is so loud that you can barely hear what the Nurse Recruiter is saying. Which action should your take?

a. Ask the Nurse Recruiter to speaker louder.
b. Pull over and continue to talk, answering all of the Nurse Recruiter’s questions
c. Ask the Nurse Recruiter if the call can be rescheduled for another time when you can focus on the conversation
d. Tell the Nurse Recruiter that the call is interfering with you shopping and you must buy your graduation outfit today

Answer 22

C: It is acceptable to set up another time to talk to the interviewer if you have been caught driving, etc. Minimize any distractions, like the sound of traffic, TV, kids, and know it is ok to ask to set an appointment for the call so you can focus on the conversation. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 23

You have been scheduled for a job interview and arrive at the interviewer’s office shortly before the interview is to begin. This is an example of your demonstrating which of the following?

a. effective communication skills c. nursing practice skills
b. time management skills d. leadership skills

Answer 23

B: Arriving shortly before the interview is an example of demonstrating your time-management skills. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 24

During your job interview you are asked several questions. Which topic would be considered illegal for the interview to request that you answer?

a. your religious affiliation c. your strengths and weaknesses
b. your career goals d. problems you foresee

Answer 24

A: Asking a question regarding your religious affiliation would be illegal. However, the interviewer can ask about your career goals, your strengths and weaknesses, and problems you foresee. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW

Question 25

You are interviewing for your first nursing position. When you enter the interviewer’s office, you notice several pictures of President Obama. During you interview, you are asked about your political preference. What would be the most appropriate way for you to respond?

a. refuse to answer the question
b. tell the interviewer you are a Democrat, whether that is true or not
c. tell the interviewer that you evaluate issues, and make all decisions based on where a candidate stands on the issues
d. tell the interviewer you are a Republican, whether that is true or not

Answer 25

C: Asking about political preference is one of the topics that is illegal for the interviewer to question. The most appropriate response would be to tell the interviewer that you evaluate issues, and make all decisions based on where a candidate stands on the issues. Refusing to answer may be seen as uncooperative or confrontational. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW