Pediatric Interview!

[NYNewGradNurse]

I am a new grad and have my first nursing interview on a pediatric unit this Tuesday! I'm super excited for the opportunity and am trying to be as prepared as possible. If anyone has any tips on what to expect, I'd really appreciate it! Pediatric nursing is my dream so I want to give this interview my all!

I think what I am most concerned about are clinical/scenario questions like "what do you do if.....". I'm worried that, as a new grad with little clinical experience, I won't know the correct answer. Does anyone have any advice on how to answer these questions? Also, are there other questions that are typical for peds interviews? Is there any super correct way to answer the "how do you deal with difficult parents" question?

Thanks everyone for any input and advice you can offer!!

[NurseKateC]

What type of pediatric unit?

[HopefulSRNA1234]

It's a general pediatric floor. Basically med surge peds

[NurseKateC]

From my recent interviews as new grad, it's been mostly personality questions. A lot of people just want to talk through some scenarios to see where you are at. I would say look up common diagnoses for pediatrics and know the basics for it like vital signs and medications. If they ask you something you don't know, be honest and tell them that is something you are looking forward to learning through experience. Honesty is always the best policy :). Above all, I think being friendly and having great communication skills can really make or break an interview. As far as the working with difficult parents question, think back to when you had to work with a difficult patient in clinical and how you got through that.

[jrt4]

As a hiring manager, I would not anticipate that you will be asked in depth clinical skill questions. In fact, I have all but worked those questions out of my interviews. I know you don't have experience, so why ask? I can teach you the skills you need but I cannot teach you to have a better personality. Most of the "clincal" questions will most likely be something like "Tell me about a time..." and it should be reasonable scenarios. I always tell interviewees that they can use examples from school or their personal life if they do not have professional experience in the questions I ask. Good luck!!! Just remember to be positive and if you are asked about a mistake you made...make sure its a REAL mistake! But always follow up with what you learned from the experience and how you have grown! Everyone makes mistakes at some point...if you don't have a good story about how you messed up...especially if you have years of experience...I don't hire you.

[NurseKateC]

How did the interview go?

[NYNewGradNurse]

Thanks so much for both of your help, NurseKateC and jrtaylor4! I think it went really well!! I haven't heard a decision yet but I should know by Friday! I absolutely loved the unit and the staff seemed great. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will hopefully be an employed RN by next week!