Advice for Interview with ED as a New Grad?

[kbear121]

Hi everyone!

I am a new grad nurse and have just scheduled an interview with the ED director of a hospital. My nursing program did not have a rotation in ED, nor did it have a preceptorship at the end. Instead, I did a quality improvement project at a community hospital for 3 months. Because of this, I actually have no relative experience in ED, but know that I am fully interested in the ED. I am also highly adaptable and calm under stressful, fast-paced environments.

I am wondering if anyone can give me advice on how I can sell myself in the ED department because of my background? What questions will I expect as a new grad?

Thank you!!!

[13grad71]

New grad in ED in my opinion is not a good fit. You need some floor experience before getting into the fast paced environment. Codes, intubation, procedural sedation etc, will be the norm in the ED. The floor will allow you to build up confidence and skills in a less stressful environment

[elephantlover, BSN, RN]

I am a student. Sorry I have no advice to provide. I am interested in your question and would like to follow along. I have heard mixed things from RNs about going straight into the ED. Some have said it is a good place for new grads to start because you can be trained from the bottom up as an "ED nurse." Others say it is best to gain experience in a slower environment first. I know some hospitals have residency programs for critical care and ED new grad nurses that offer longer training periods.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

You sell yourself by preparing for your interview.

Think of it this way- they already like you, they have granted you an interview.

as you interview, they'll be thinking "Is this person a good fit for our organization?" "Are they a good fit for our ED?"

As a new grad, it's not about experience during clinicals. Here's an excerpt from my book:

Nursing interviews typically include behavioral questions. Behavioral questions are designed to test for specific characteristics required/desired for your job. In this chapter we'll cover some commonly asked behavioral interview questions.

They generally start with "Tell me about a time...Give us an example...Describe a situation...". They are designed to give the employer insight into how you would respond to similar situations in the future based on your past behavior.

The manner in which you answer the question is telling. It isn't about confessing your weaknesses, exposing yourself, and being overly vulnerable. It's about demonstrating confidence, honesty and composure when presented with a behavioral interview question.

Show some personality. Don't be timid. Remember that stories are remembered, so be prepared to talk in stories.

Prepare Three Examples

To start with, prepare at least three examples. Examples make you memorable. Examples are short stories with a purpose. Stories are remembered.

To prepare your examples, anticipate characteristics the employer will be looking for. Their questions will be designed to test for those characteristics. For example, you could reasonably expect that an RN employer may want to know about your:

• Personal ethics and insight: "Tell us about a time when you made a critical mistake at work."

• Customer service: "Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond in customer service."

• Conflict Management: "Describe a conflict with a coworker, and how you resolved it."

• Flexibility: "Tell me about a time you had to adjust to a change at work"

Now, think back. Recall a concrete example of going above and beyond in customer service. Think of a time when you made a serious mistake, disagreed with a supervisor, faced an ethical dilemma, and so on. As you think back, more examples will come to mind.

Be sure to include at least one example of how you benefited a former employer through your customer service skills, as patient satisfaction is high on the radar in hospitals right now.

Your examples can come from school, work or life experience, because what they all have in common is you. You and your behavior. Behavior that illustrates the characteristics they are looking for in a candidate.

When composing

your examples, follow this helpful formula:

• Briefly describe the situation
  
• Identify the challenges you encountered
  
• Explain the action steps you took
  
• Share the outcome
  
• Summarize what you learned and how you will apply it moving forward

***Bonus Tip: Here's how to answer when they ask you this tough question....

Best wishes!