Having a hard time "selling" myself during an interview

[stepdownRN88]

For starters this is basically my work history: (became a RN in July 2012)

1. School Distict A ■May 2015 – present

Substitute School Nurse

2. School District B ■November 2014 – present

Substitute School Nurse

3. School District C ■September 2014 – November 2014

Substitute School Nurse

4. Hospital ABC ■March 2014 – April 2014

(same hospital where I was a nursing assistant)

Staff Nurse – Intensive Care Unit

5. Hospital XYZ ■April 2013 – February 2014

Staff Nurse – Surgical Stepdown Unit

6. Hospital ABC ■February 2011 – February 2013

Nursing Assistant

I have 10 months of acute care experience and the reason why I left my FT job was to be caregiver for my father who needed 24/7 care for most of 2014. Thankfully he is in remission now and has returned to work himself, so I am also ready to be back in acute care. The problem is I'm still considered to be "like a new grad" because of my lack of experience (which I don't disagree with). School nursing isn't considered acute care - so it basically means nothing when applying a hospital position.

I also get so anxious during interviews and I try so hard to stay calm, confident and collected... but I usually fail miserably at it. Because I'm unemployed & therefore have Medicaid, I'm having a hard time finding a therapist who can help me with my anxiety (feel embarrassed admitting this on a public forum).

Please give me any advice about how I can get a job a.k.a. do well during an interview... what's the best way to explain my work history/father's illness professionally and in a way that I can convince them that I'm not going to leave in 10 months? What can I do to "fake confidence" just to make it through the interview? I did well as a nurse in the hospital (not trying to toot my own horn, just saying - I know I can do it, I just have to get them to trust that I can too... and if I'm a nervous wreck that's never gonna happen)!

Sorry for the long post, but thanks for reading.

[stepdownRN88]

BUMP.... anyone?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I know how you feel. I don't have any acute care experience & pretty much the same resume (short stints). But you have to relax before interviews. It helps to be prepared. I went over several possible questions that I might be asked. I have to say by doing that I was much more confident & relaxed. It was the best interview I ever had.

If they ask about the gap in your history just answer honestly. Tell them you had personal issues to take care of but they are resolved now & they will not be an issue in the future.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Frankly, I wouldn't list so many employers within so short a time span. Pick a couple that will give you the best reference, and pretend the others never happened.

Be up front about taking time off to care for a family member. Don't be defensive or apologetic.

[lunchboxRN]

Look up the AN threads here that list common interview questions. Write them down with your answers, so when the "tell me abt a time you..." comes up you won't have to scramble for an answer. I did this for my recent round of interviews and it took a lot of stress away.

I would ask if you could shadow for a few hours, this shows you are interested and willing to put time in to learn about the unit. Good for you too, to see how it runs.

I think people will understand the short stent you did in acute care. Spin it into a positive experience and that now your father has recovered (yay!).

When you answer questions, don't say things like "I feel, think, hope" like "I think I will be able to catch on quickly". Use words like "know/will/can". That works to build confidence with the interviewer AND yourself. I noticed I used those iffy words in my cover letters recently and went back and replaced them before sending them off. Women tend to downplay our skills and accomplishments, this is not the time to do that

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

OP the nursing career section here on AN provides valuable resources re: resume and interview tips.

Practice your answers in advance to the more commonly asked interview questions. Write out your responses and reheorifice in front of a mirror or with a friend. Doing so should help to calm your nerves.

[stepdownRN88]

Appreciate all your advice guys, thank you!