Question 1

A nurse knows that both experiences and a plan are important when building a résumé. Which attributes are the most important for the plan part of this endeavor?

Accepted Answer

A)   Flexibility
B)   Long term
C)   Focused on one career path
D)   Includes frequent contact with the nurse's current mentor through the years
E)   Designed around a fixed retirement date A,B

Question 2

A nurse who has worked on a unit for 8 years has just accepted a position as a nurse practitioner at an indigent clinic. How should the nurse handle leaving the current position?

Accepted Answer

A)   Leave by the end of the week.
B)   Tell the manager as soon as the decision is made.
C)   Advise the human resources department prior to the unit manager.
D)   Discuss the matter with colleagues well in advance of telling the manager. B

Question 3

A nurse has an interview with the nurse recruiter at a large metropolitan hospital. During the nurse's education, clinical practice was conducted in smaller facilities. Which topics would be good for the applicant to focus on during the interview?

Accepted Answer

A)   Information regarding the position and the organization
B)   The nurse's past experiences
C)   Salary
D)   Benefits
E)   The nurse's strengths and weaknesses A,B,E

Question 4

A student who is about to graduate is discussing the future with a nursing instructor. The instructor asks the student, "What schedule are you interested in working? What organization is near your home?" The student says that salary is the most important thing. Which response by the instructor would be appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Since you have been in school for so long, the most important thing to you is to get a job that pays well."
B)   "I would focus on those organizations that pay premium wages for nurses."
C)   "A small difference in salary is less important than working in an organization where you can obtain your future goals."
D)   "Money is not important; the job is important."

Question 5

A nurse has two job offers. One will not be available for 6 months and the other is in an organization that the nurse does not think is a good fit. The client care in the second organization is not what the nurse would feel comfortable providing. What action should the nurse take in regard to the second organization?

Accepted Answer

A)   Gracefully decline the job by saying he is moving out of state.
B)   Accept the position and plan to resign as soon as the other position opens.
C)   Thank the manager for the offer, but decline it.
D)   Send a letter to the manager, thanking the organization for the offer.
E)   Tell the manager that the client care in the organization was not what was expected.

Question 6

A nurse has always been interested in the legal nurse field. What would be the best program in which to learn about this field?

Accepted Answer

A)   A seminar in which the nurse can obtain certification as a legal nurse as quickly as possible
B)   A seminar that offers a variety of speakers addressing the legal nurse profession
C)   An accredited program by a legal nurse association
D)   A program in which lawyers speak of the opportunities available for legal nurses

Question 7

A nurse who has a baccalaureate degree in nursing is interested in going to graduate school. The nurse is talking to a peer who is in a nurse practitioner program. Which advice would be beneficial for this nurse in choosing a graduate program?

Accepted Answer

A)   Perform an online search and look for the program that requires the least amount of time to obtain the degree.
B)   Meet with faculty and students of various graduate programs.
C)   Discuss the graduate schools with a physician.
D)   Don't start until you are certain you can finish.

Question 8

A female nurse has an interview for a new job scheduled next week. What should the nurse plan to wear to this interview?

Accepted Answer

A)   Scrubs
B)   A neatly pressed lab jacket and white uniform
C)   Capri length pants and sandals
D)   Dark pants and a gray jacket
E)   Simple jewelry

Question 9

A nurse is unsure in which graduate nursing program to enroll. A colleague recommends the nurse consider a degree program for which it appears there will be growing demand. Which role is expected to continue to be in great demand in the future?

Accepted Answer

A)   Nurse administrators
B)   Community health nurse
C)   Nursing education
D)   School nurse

Question 10

A nurse with an associate degree in nursing is interested in obtaining more education but is unsure if it is wiser to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing or to pursue certification. The answers to which

Accepted Answer

A)   Am I interested in nursing management?
B)   Which goal can be accomplished at the least expense?
C)   Do I want to go to graduate school?
D)   What are my future options in my current position?
E)   Is either option available online?

Question 11

A nurse has decided to relocate to another state. Which entry on this nurse's resume will be most useful in searching for a new job?

Accepted Answer

A)   Boy Scout leader for 3 years
B)   Member of Sigma Theta Tau International
C)   Six years work experience as nurse manager in ICU
D)   Graduated with honors from a BSN program

Question 12

An ICU nurse has been approached by a colleague to join the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. The nurse asks the colleague, "Why would I want to join this organization?" Which would be the best response?

Accepted Answer

A)   "It will further your career."
B)   "It looks good on your resume."
C)   "It will help you to network and enhance your learning."
D)   "You have to join before you can obtain critical care certification."

Question 13

A nurse who has worked in the dialysis unit for the past 5 years is considering a career change. The nurse is unsure whether to follow a management or a clinical career path. Which would be a good beginning step for this nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)   Enroll in a graduate nursing program.
B)   Investigate careers by talking with nurses in those positions.
C)   Investigate the salary options for various careers.
D)   Seek advice from the manager of the unit.

Question 14

A candidate is concerned that some answers she gave during her interview were vague and lengthy. She relates some of the answers to a peer, saying "I don't know what happened. I was just so nervous." What is an appropriate response by the peer?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Why did you give those answers?"
B)   "You should have given short and to-the-point answers."
C)   "You gave good answers."
D)   "I think your answers were specific."

Question 15

In an activity log, a nurse records attendance at an education seminar as, "Class on arrhythmia recognition, State College, taught by Sue Smith, RN." What else would be valuable for the nurse to include?

Accepted Answer

A)   The exact title of the seminar or event
B)   Which colleagues attended with the nurse
C)   Who paid for the course and what it cost
D)   The date
E)   Any certifications achieved

Question 16

A newly promoted nurse manager is overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork that must be submitted to the director. The nursing unit is very busy and is short staffed, so the manager also takes a client assignment. This additional work makes the paperwork load even more daunting. Which statement is the most important lesson for this manager to learn?

Accepted Answer

A)   A manager's first priority is client care.
B)   A manager's first priority is the nursing staff.
C)   The job requires the nurse to adjust, respond to change, and remain flexible.
D)   The paperwork is not important.

Question 17

A nurse is considering graduate school. The nurse is interested in becoming a nurse practitioner. This nurse has worked as a medical-surgical nurse for the past 10 years. Which opportunity would benefit this nurse's career?

Accepted Answer

A)   Taking a position as an assistant nurse manager
B)   Applying for a nurse manager position on a renal unit
C)   Transferring to the ICU unit
D)   Transferring to the oncology unit

Question 18

The nurse has just interviewed with a nurse manager. The manager offers the nurse an opportunity to tour the unit and meet potential coworkers. Why is this a beneficial opportunity?

Accepted Answer

A)   It allows the candidate to learn more about the unit.
B)   It allows the candidate to make a final determination about whether the unit is a good work environment.
C)   It allows the candidate to make some assessment of coworkers.
D)   It allows the candidate to determine nurse-to-client ratios.
E)   It allows the candidate a first look at the types of clients served by the unit.

Question 19

A nurse who has an interview with the human resources (HR) director enters the office, doesn't make eye contact, and is very timid. Toward the end of the interview the HR director asks the nurse if there are any questions. The nurse states, "No, I think I've learned all I need to know." What impression has this nurse given the HR director?

Accepted Answer

A)   Lack of interest in the position
B)   Shyness and the inability to manage people
C)   Rudeness
D)   Laziness

Question 20

During an interview for a night shift ICU position, the manager asks the job candidate, "Will working the night shift interfere with your husband's schedule?" How should the candidate interpret this question?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is a legitimate question.
B)   It is an illegal question to ask.
C)   It is none of the manager's business.
D)   It is something the candidate should consider.

Exam 26: Advancing Your Career