band 7 interview

hello!!

This is the first time I have tried anything like this, please bear with me!!!

In July I completed my spec. practitioner district nurse degree and have been patiently waiting for a post to apply for. I was hoping to ease myself in with a band 6, but nothing has come up. Now there is a band 7 district nurse team leader post being advertised and I am wondering what sort of things I will be asked in interview and what I should look at!! The whole interview thing scares me to death!! Any suggestions would be welcome!!! thank you

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Could I ask what a "band" is? I'm not familiar with the term.

[bexbrown]

A 'band' replaced the old grading system of nursing under agenda for change. A band 7 is the equivalent of a G grade sister

[Gerry1888RN]

It's best to post this question under the UK nurses forum. Most readers of "All Nurses" seem to be from the USA and don't understand why people from other countries post questions in the general section of this website.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

"Most readers of "All Nurses" seem to be from the USA and don't understand why people from other countries post questions in the general section of this website. "

Speaking only for myself, I don't have an issue with anyone from any country posting wherever their question seems appropriate. However, if I don't understand the context (i.e., "bands"), I can't give an informative answer.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the UK forum

Sharrie who is one of our moderators that lives in the UK has some excellent advice in her blogs check them out

Sharrie's nursing blogs

[bexbrown]

thank you, that is really helpful!

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Hi bexbrown, there is quite a bit of advice in my blog

For band 7's I would expect you to have good knowledge of local and national policy

Is this job as a team leader, for a 7 I expect it is in which case your going to have to have an understanding of things like capability issues, sickness policies, disciplinary policies, special leave KSF (blech!!!! I know but it's important for you interview)

The eksf website gives some excellent guidance so take a look at that.

Have an idea of some of the topical issues in your area, for me it's downbanding of 6's to band 5's as a cost saving venture, if there is stuff like that going on then you may need to offer an opinion on it.

As a 7 your going to be asked some clinical questions as well I imagine, just remember patient safety first, then dealing with staff education, then dealing with other governance issues (equipment, incident reporting, audit that kind of stuff)

On that note take a look at your local clinical governance stuff it's useful to know

Do you have a presentation to do (I am a bit cruel and always ask my band 7's for a presentation)

For the interview, relax. Dress smartly and make an impression. Try to be yourself, the last thing your interviewers will want to see is a jibbering wreck

If you don't know the answer to something don't fudge it, they will know the answer and they will know that you don't

If you don't understand a question ask for clarification, I'd prefer to explain what I want than listen to someone going in the wrong direction and then see the rabbit in headlights stare when they realise that they've not answered the question.

Did I mention relax and be yourself.

ANything else give me a shout

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

May also help if you go for a informal look around. I did and had good feedback plus got the job :)

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

May also help if you go for a informal look around. I did and had good feedback plus got the job :)

Definately I always like to meet potential applicants prior to the interview it shows your interested and you get to ask lots if questions about the role and team.

[bexbrown]

Hi, thanks very much for your help! i have been and spent 4 hours with the team leader now, she is retiring and wanted to get a feel for the place, the clinical mangager is fully aware that i have done this and she will be interviewing. not sure about presentation, probably will be one, something to stress about later!! job has just been approved and i am trying to get ahead of the game because i really want the job. the government policies are the things which seem to go in one ear and out the other with me, politics is not my strong point!! although did manage to get a first in my degree... there must be brain in there somewhere!!

thanks again, i have lots of food for thought.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Great that you was able to spend some time with someone. It does help