Interview work sheet focuses on attitude

Tool helps find the right staff

Sandy Cerul, RN, BSN, owner of My Nurse based in Mount Marion, NY, explains that the retention program at her private duty agency starts from the moment a potential employee walks through the door.

"During the interview process, we ask questions that help us find out more about the person. Questions like What was your most difficult case?’ and What was the best compliment you received?’ tell us if a person is caring and interested in their work." Cerul says she looks for the interviewee to "light up when they recount a particular patient."

My Nurse uses a specifically designed interview sheet to evaluate its employees. Impressions are recorded and then deliberated over when making a hiring decision. (See sample work inquiry/interview form, p. 38.)