First Interview

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I have my first nursing interview later this week. I'm a little nervous, does anyone have any tips on what I should wear, how I should prepare, etc.?

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I always say stick with basic professional dress. I always wear a black/grey pantsuit with a neutral colored blouse. Don't wear lots of flashy jewelry or powerful perfume. No outlandish prints/patterns on your clothing. Neatly groomed hair as well. Make-up should not look like you are ready to go on stage as a vegas show girl, go for basic, and neutral. Close-toed shows of moderate heel height.

Here are some common questions asked during nursing interviews. You can use them to help you prepare but don't come up with a "scripted" response. You will sound reheorificed and managers want to see you think on your feet in interviews.

Tell me about yourself. (keep it short and relevant)

Why did you leave your last job?

When did you know you wanted to be a nurse?

Why did you chose to specialize in (insert specialty area)?

What are your strongest skills? (back up answers with specific examples)

How would you describe yourself? How would a preceptor or colleague describe you?

Tell me about the most difficult clinical experience you've faced and how you handled it.

What do you consider the most important qualities a nurse needs to do this job

successfully?

What did you like best/least in your clinical experiences?

How did you motivate a resistant patient to comply with your instructions?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Why are you interested in working for us?

What gives you the most satisfaction as a nurse? Why?

Where do you see yourself in five years? (you may wish to answer this in terms of skills acquired)

What two or three things are most important to you in your job?

What are some characteristics of the best nurse that you know?

What do you think is the most significant problem in health care today?

What do you see as the major issues facing us in the future?

What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?

How do you relieve stress?

What would you do if.......... (sites clinical situation; here the interviewer is looking for your judgement and maturity in handling complex situations)

Describe to me the best/worst supervisor you ever had.

What are your salary requirements?

Why should we hire you? (be ready for this one. Even if it's not asked directly, the answer to this should be thread throughout all your responses)

Do you have any questions for me? (you should always have 2-3 questions lined up)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

very good questions! this is all you need.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

You should be in business wear (suit, skirt or slacks)...don't even think of wearing anything less than business casual, and definitely don't show up in scrubs!

TwentytenRN's questions are good...however, I'm going to disagree slightly with her and say that you should reheorifice these questions and have some idea of what you will day. Thinking on your feet is good, but you are probably going to be so nervous on that first interview you will be lucky if you can remember your name! So a little Q&A practice is a good idea, so you don't preface each of your answers with "uh..." while you think for 5-10 seconds on the response.

With a little rehearsal, at least you'll have a starting point for your response...but be sure to tailor the responses to each specific job interview. For example, the answers you'd give for a med-surg interview would probably be way off in a psych interview...and going on and on about how much you love emergency nursing isn't going to land you a LTC job.

And trust me, even with rehearsing, the interviewer will ask you enough unscripted questions that you will have plenty of chances to show her/him that you can think on your feet :)

I tried interviewing before I had found some interview questions to study, and I'll admit that interviewed a lot better when I had been rehearsing. I didn't think I sounded scripted, but I think I did come across as more confident in myself and my skills than I would have had I given lots of the "can't-you-tell-I'm-a-new grad-with-my-'uh, well, uhm...I don't know...'" responses.

Good luck!

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

I am on the same shoes. Thanks for the tips.. I have a friend that told me that getting a job interview means that you are 80% considered for the job. Is this true?

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Specializes in NICU.
I am on the same shoes. Thanks for the tips.. I have a friend that told me that getting a job interview means that you are 80% considered for the job. Is this true?

Well, it means that you're 100% considered for the job, since they're giving you an opportunity to show why you deserve it. The fact that you have an interview has no predictive power as to whether or not you'll actually get the job -- that part is up to you and how you do with the interview.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.
Well, it means that you're 100% considered for the job, since they're giving you an opportunity to show why you deserve it. The fact that you have an interview has no predictive power as to whether or not you'll actually get the job -- that part is up to you and how you do with the interview.

Thanks for the clarification! My friend meant that if you get a job interview, that means that you are 80% accepted for the job. Seems like she was wrong. LOL! I really need to ace the interview to actually get the job. Pls pray for me!

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.
Thanks for the clarification! My friend meant that if you get a job interview, that means that you are 80% accepted for the job. Seems like she was wrong. LOL! I really need to ace the interview to actually get the job. Pls pray for me!

I don't think that is true because some places interview people they have no intention of hiring. I have been to at least one interview in which this was true (I found out later they had already decided who to hire before interviewing anyone). Some hospitals have to interview a certain amount of people before they can hire someone. Good luck!!!!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

Have some goals in mind, short term and long term in case you're asked.

Be careful not to talk too much. I was actually watching interview skills on our

local new station yesterday. Any question that you are asked, you should respond

with an answer in 90 seconds or less, don't talk too much. Also at the end of your

interview, say that you are really interested in the job and what is the next

step.

Here is the link, watch the video, it has some very good tips.....

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/money/ace-your-next-job-interview

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