Feeling Nervous about Potential ?'s @ Job Interview Tomorrow.

caro3334 · Aug 27, 2007

Remember, she is just a person asking you questions. Some people can be intimidating, but I just remind myself they are putting on an act and have insecurities just like the rest of us. This isn't really what you asked for, but I know reminding myself of that helps me whenever I am nervous about an upcoming event.

Sorry I don't have any real advice, good luck!

Soneshine · Aug 27, 2007

This is the site that I used prior to my job interview last year:

http://www.hospitalsoup.com/interview-questions.asp

I think that the key is to answer the questions as confident as possible- but act relaxed at the same time. This is easier said than done I realize, but I think if you keep your answers on the shorter side- but seem open to further questions by maintaining good eye-contact and not look away, this is helpful. I am super soft-spoken and not so confident in my every day life, so this is all a pretty big challenge for me to pull off. Just tell yourself (silently) that they need nurses and as long as you are sending off positive, friendly vibes- they will only really pay attention to about 1/3 of what you say

Good luck- you'll do great.

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2007

Anyway, one thing she asked me on the phone Friday was "where do you see yourself in five years?" This really put me on the spot and initially I wanted to blurt out I hope to God not here!

You'll have to mask that underlying attitude. Of all the positions you've applied for, is there one that you actually want?

montieICURN · Aug 27, 2007

Ok, I have interviewed many nurses. We had a form that came from HR that the interviewer had to fill out. There are questions that HAVE to be asked, and other general topics that are graded 1-5 for the applicant.

1. Proffesional appearance.

2. Proper grammar.

3. Can you tell me an example of what service excellence means to you? ( why yes, I believe that taking the extra step to ensure the patient is comfortable is very important. I let the patient know they are the most important thing to me)

4. Can you tell me an example of teamwork?

5. What is the most difficult situation you have had with an employee, and how did you handle it? (communication skills)

6. What are your goals? (where do you see yourself in 5 years) The advanced practice nurse was a good answer. You want to learn and grow as a nurse.

7. What does performance improvement mean to you? (Important to ask what their department goals for performance improvement are in their unit, to show how interested you are in it. And, you are very interested in joining a committee to improve the goals. Usually, infection control things like monitoring foley associated UTIs, or good hand hygiene, or Central line acquired bacteremia rates)

8. How do you handle mean doctors? (Ah, they don't bother me!)

I hope this helps a little. I hope they actually stick to the usual, you never know. My boss would actually ask nurses, "What does hemodynamics mean to you?" So if it is a specialty unit, think of a few good answers to specialty questions. If you get stumped, "I would use my resources to find the answer."

Good Luck!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 27, 2007

good luck on your interview today. i am sure you will do great !! keep us posted...

TamrRN07 · Aug 27, 2007

How do you describe critical thinking and give an example when you applied it last.

Seriously. I was asked that.

Good luck! You will do great!