Finding the right practice environment where your education is valued sets you up for long-term success and job satisfaction as a nurse. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) developed this advice to help nursing students make the best decision on where to practice following graduation.

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The AACN has identified eight key characteristics or hallmarks you should consider when looking at potential employers. They're listed below, followed by questions you can ask during an interview to determine whether the facility practices what it preaches.

Other statistics and information to request from a potential employer include:

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* RN vacancy rate and RN turnover rate

* Patient satisfaction scores (preferably percentile ranking)

* Employee satisfaction scores

* Average tenure of nursing staff

* Educational mix of nursing staff

* Percentage of registry/travelers used

* Key human resource policies such as reduction in workforce (tenure vs. performance criteria)

* Copy of the most recent JCAHO report and the number of contingencies cited

* Copy of a contract.