First New Grad Interview coming up-need advice

[JessRNBSN]

Hi fellow nursing friends,

So I have my very first interview as a new grad RN this Friday. It is for multiple positions on multiple different units at a large, academic medical center in Chicago!! It has been a dream of mine to work at one of the top-notch academic medical centers in Chicago for as long as I can remember, and with no luck at my current place of employment (another academic medical center), I want to NAIL this interview!!

I've been on several other professional interviews for my first career in the health care administration, and my interview for my current position (PCT/Student RN) was pretty intense. Therefore, I have some experience in what to expect. However, have never been on an official RN interview. If anyone could offer up any advice on what to expect, how to prepare, how to dress, etc. I would REALLY appreciate it.

Also, this may sound silly, but I recently dyed my hair a reddish/brown. It's definitely not bright red; however, there is some red in it. I go tomorrow for a touch up and I don't know if I should keep the red for my interview, I don't want to appear "too wild" and blow my shot just because of my hair color. Or am I over-reacting??

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Congrats on landing an interview.

When I first interviewed for a new grad residency, I thought I wouldn't get a single clinical related question. I was dead wrong. I was given three scenarios and asked which patient would I see first, second, and third. What would be the interventions for each patient, including what meds I would expect the MD would order. I was well prepared for the standard interview questions such as: where do you see yourself in 5 years, why this particular unit/hospital, how do you deal with stress, what are your strengths and weakness, etc. that my answers were fluid. I didn't take into account that these Residency programs are competitive and they want the best nurses for their units, so of course the interview would be intense. I had to find that out the hard way as I left the interview defeated, however I was more than prepared for the next one. If I was interviewing for a neuro unit, I had to restudy all the cranial nerves and their function because I would be asked in the interview. If I interviewed for a cardiac stepdown unit, I studied common meds, procedures, interventions for cardiac patients. Be prepared and take your time to think about the question before answering. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

As you stated, you have been exposed to the intensity of the interview process in Chicago, so review your books. Since you have been on an interview, at this point you should know the appropriate interview attire: minimal jewelry, low heeled shoes, no low cut dress shirt, nails are cut low, closed toe shoes, hair pull away from face. Bring a folder which contains your license, other certs, and copies of your resume.

[JessRNBSN]

Oh great! This ought to be fun as I am interviewing for FOUR positions that day! I'm interviewing for an oncology RN position, a neurology RN position, an orthopedics RN position, and a transplant/gen surgery RN position! :-/ There's no way I can study over that much nursing material before then! I graduated in January and I feel like I've forgotten everything as well! I feel totally prepared for the common interview questions and basic priority questions, but if they go into details like asking cranial nerves I'm screwed! lol This position isn't for a nurse residency program per say; however, all of their new grads that they hire automatically get enrolled into their nurse residency program. I guess I just have to pray like heck and hope I get it!

[iPink, BSN, RN]

Don't go crazy with studying, just review the basics.

This was just my experience with one intense residency program. This strategy was their way of weeding out to hire the best new grad nurses. You first had to pass the phone interview, then a 1 hour online comprehensive test, and finally the in-person interview with HR, followed by the unit managers and nurse educators.

I did interview at another hospital's residency program, wasn't grilled and didn't jump through hoops. Interview went well and ultimately was offered the job.

Good luck!

[JessRNBSN]

Thank you for the advice! I honestly am not even sure what to review as far as content so if it's just basic I think I'll be ok. I mean they know I'm a new grad and don't expect me to know everything I have a couple of picks for outfits, all black dress pants and a blazer and then a few different blouses to wear underneath to choose from. I'm just going to wear stud earrings and that's it for jewelry. I have really long hair and don't like to wear it up, it gives me a headache. I wore it half up half down for my other interview, would you say that's ok? Or should I wear it up?

Lastly, what would you recommend as now my current place of employment has posted a position to the NICU which is literally my dream job, and they are supposed to be calling me for an interview shortly according to my boss. I'm scared if I land one of these jobs before I have a chance to interview for the NICU position! What should I do if I'm offered the one of the jobs I'm interviewing for Friday :-/