First interview after eight months

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I've had a rollercoaster of a ride to get to the point I'm at now. I graduated nursing school in May 2010, passed boards at the end of the summer and just now have my first interview this week. Due to a mistake in my past the state board withheld my license until about a month ago when they finally gave me the ok and I recieved my actual license! I am having extreme amounts of anxiety in that I fear I wont be a competent nurse due to the extreme time gap. I know that if I go into this interview as a bundle of nerves I will sabotage what can ultimately be a great opportunity. So my questions are: Is it really possible to pick up where you left off and move into a new career successfully after such a long time gap? How should I address a board suspension during an interview? How do I answer a "remember a time when you handled a difficult patient" sort of question when most of those clinical experiences are fading away from my memory? Am I at a point where I've become unmarketable? I'd appreciate ANY feedback that you all have :nurse:

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I also graduated in May 2010 and passed my boards in July 2010, and received my license. I just now landed a job and start at the end of the month. So do not worry about the gap of time, because even those of us who have had our license have been having a difficult time finding a job due to the economy. Just try to be positive, and go into the interview selling yourself as a new grad who is willing to learn and really wants a job. I know for myself it was difficult to answer questions, because clinical experience seemed to be so long ago. Try to practice these interview questions ahead of time, so that you are prepared. I wouldn't lead with giving a long story about your license, if asked give a short simple statement and whatever you do do not lie. You will be fine, and just remember you have your license now and that is all that matters. :lol2:

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Thank you for the encouragement. That's pretty much what I plan on doing! If it's meant to be i'll get it.

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I would take the time to prepare thoroughly rather than "if it's meant to be" approach. If you search on allnurses (or google) you can find the mayo clinic or Johns hopkins interview guide. It will tell you possible scenario questions. Write your patient situations down so that you know them well. Nothing worse than being asked a questions and drawing a blank "Uh, I can't remember a situation like that."

Re nerves - remember your mental health training: Having a mild level of anxiety is a good thing and will help you be more alert!

What did you mean about a board suspension?

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Thank you for the advice. I prepared all night and I believe after another day of preparation I will be far more ready than I felt yesterday! To answer your last question, the state board can hold your license as pending for as long as they need to say if you have a misdemeanor or whatever until they determine that you are safe to practice. Mine was from something that happened 10yrs ago, which seems extreme, but I suppose it is good to know that they take every precaution.

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Specializes in NCA, Graduate Nurse.
Thank you for the advice. I prepared all night and I believe after another day of preparation I will be far more ready than I felt yesterday! To answer your last question, the state board can hold your license as pending for as long as they need to say if you have a misdemeanor or whatever until they determine that you are safe to practice. Mine was from something that happened 10yrs ago, which seems extreme, but I suppose it is good to know that they take every precaution.

Ahh, Im having kind of the same trouble you were. I actually graduated in December 2009, worked in a ER as a graduate nurse where I had 3 years of experience as a nursing assistant and nurse extern. I worked there for about 4 months and unfortunatley was not successful on my boards. I failed, and had to resign from my job, I left on good terms, but I obviosly couldnt work as a GN for long with out passing my boards. Life took a turn for the worst, and I couldnt pass a couple times after that either. I just recently passed in March, which was the best feeling of my life. I studied and worked so hard for it, and was determined to never give up my dream. I applied a bunch of places around my area, but I am not able to land a job. Ive been recieving emails saying there hiring internal applicants, or there holdin positions. Meanwhile I have a longer gap than you do from working, so thats freaking me out, my knowledge is there because I literally had my head in the books for a year, each time I failed, I studied harder and harder, but I havent practiced in awhile. I do have 3 years total of clinical work along with nursing clinicals, so lets hope that is ok. I know theres people out there that have quit nursing for years and go back and land a job, so I doubt thats it. We'll just have to keep are fingers crossed and keep trying. Good luck you!

MWRN

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