First interview tomorrow...what should I expect?

[KellyRN2011]

Just needed some advice/thoughts. I have my first interview tomorrow, and I'm pretty excited! It's for a long-term care and rehabilitation center. I had been applying absolutely everywhere for the past three months, and this is the first interview I have gotten, so I really do not want to mess this up. They called me literally hours after I applied, so I'm hoping they're as desperate for a nurse as I am for a job =] I just graduated with my ADN in December, and have passed my NCLEX. I have no prior hospital experience, but I did independently care for two older ladies with dementia over the summer. However, they have my resume, so they know I have no prior experience.

I just have a few questions.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect at the interview? I have two cousins who are nurses and one said they'll ask me more nursing type questions (such as priority) while my other cousin said it'll be more focused on me and why I'm a good fit for the facility. I know no one can say for certain what they will ask, but what has been your experience?

Any key questions I should ask?

Anyone know what the average salary/pay per hour is for a long-term care nurse in Maryland? What should I ask for? On the application, I put 24.00 an hour, but I'm not sure if that's asking for too much?

Anyone know what the usual schedule is for a long term care nurse? Obviously it depends on what they're looking for, but how many weekends a month do long term care nurses usually work?

Any other advice?

Thanks for any help in advance!

[en1024]

I have my 1st interview today and it is at a LTC facility also. Good luck on your interview! My position is for every weekend 7am to 7pm it is a tough schedule, but I'll take it!

[mark.brown01]

In the one interview I've had, he started with, "So tell me about yourself." I was unprepared for such an open-ended question. I'm still not sure how best to answer that. Then was, "Where was the place you worked for the longest and what about it kept you there for so long?" Another was, "Give me an example of where you disagreed with a new policy, procedure or whatever with your boss/manager and how did you respond/resolve your disagreement." Followed by, "Give and example of a difficulty/altercation you've had with a manager/coworker/patient and how did you resolve the issue?" Of course he threw the softball of, "What do you see as your weaknesses?" And honestly, the rest is kind of a blur. Good luck

[KTeacher2Nursing]

I would say be prepared for anything. I went on one interview this week where the DON walked out the room. came back a few minutes later, and asked me "Tell me about MYSELF". On the inside, I was like, Really?!?!?!?!?!? That took me by total suprise. I have NEVER had anyone ask me that, its always the other way around. Just be open, and honest and show your true personality. I used a bit of humor telling a couple of stories from my Clinical expereinces and I left there with a PT offer. They have your resume so they are interested. Getting the interview is the easy part, making yourself stand out above other applicants is the hard part. You want to make an impression, even after the interview make sure to send them a "Thank you" email.