Interview tips

Nurses New Nurse

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I have an interview coming up for a new grad position in an ICU in one of the big Boston hospitals. I'm super nervous but excited at the same time, any tips?

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

I had a new Grad interview a few days ago and know how you feel!

I told the Manger that I was very nervous right at the beginningJ. She started the interview with telling me about the position, which gave me time to relax a little. They did not care to see my portfolio at all. (Total of 3 people in the room, the manager and I think 2 team leaders.)

The questions were like “what would your manager say are your strength and weaknesses…, tell us about a mistake and what did you do about it…..” They wanted real life examples, including outcomes.

The total time I took for the interview and taking a look on the floor was 90 min. It was very interesting, and time past quickly.

Of course dress professional, be on time, smile, good eye contact and so on. You will be fine, I survived and so will you.

P.S. I was offered the position pending my graduation in May.

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Congrats on your new job. my interview is actually in a NICU, i obviously dont have much experience in one except for a few times during my maternity and pedi rotations. i actually applied on a whim and was shocked when they called me. i have applied to community hospitals on med surg floors who have given me attitude when i call about my application status. This a big Boston hospital (who will go nameless because i dont want to jinx myself). Thinking about this interview makes me kind of feel nauseous. haha thanks for the advice. i need to study for this interview.

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hi, i just went through the same thing a couple of weeks ago. i interviewed with a panel of nine nurse managers for an ICU position at a large NYC hospital. it was expectedly very intimidating. but my advice is, be honest, sincere, and enthusiastic. let them really know you love nursing, really want to work in the icu, really want to work at their hospital, and why! the only real difference between you and other grads are your grades and your personality and other life experiences. they want someone motivated to learn and who will become a valuable member of their team. show them you want this job!

Congrats on your new job. my interview is actually in a NICU, i obviously dont have much experience in one except for a few times during my maternity and pedi rotations. i actually applied on a whim and was shocked when they called me. i have applied to community hospitals on med surg floors who have given me attitude when i call about my application status. This a big Boston hospital (who will go nameless because i dont want to jinx myself). Thinking about this interview makes me kind of feel nauseous. haha thanks for the advice. i need to study for this interview.
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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I had a PICU interview the other day and they were really trying to discourage me. I got stuff like:

"Have you ever had to confront a doctor over a patient?" I'm like, no, because I do not assume we have an adversarial relationship and I am not on the defensive, but yes, I've had to call and get inappropriate orders changed...

"Are you assertive, cause you have to be?"

"These kids are really sick, can you handle that?"

Another unit manager asked me lot of scenarios and acted them out-that was fun. When I didn't know, I told her this is hard and kept going. She just wanted to see how I reacted I think, didn't expect perfection.

Dress professional, and then let yourself shine through. You are qualified, most probably. So just be enthusiastic and willing to learn. (and assertive and willing to be confrontational! )Yikes, they train us to be sheep in nursing school and then we gotta spin on a dime and get all assertive as a new grad (thank God!).

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I haven't even applied yet :uhoh21: . Good luck to you all...

Swtooth

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
it was expectedly very intimidating. but my advice is, be honest, sincere, and enthusiastic. let them really know you love nursing, really want to work in the icu, really want to work at their hospital, and why! the only real difference between you and other grads are your grades and your personality and other life experiences. they want someone motivated to learn and who will become a valuable member of their team. show them you want this job!

This is so..........true!!!

I believe that you will be an asset to the hospital!!!

Make sure you pray, and pray that obstacles will not be in your way.

It's truly your time to shine!!!:balloons:

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