First RN interview tomorrow!!!

carol72 · Mar 19, 2008

I just wanted to say best wishes. This is a stressful experience. Good for you - you are getting your ducks in a row early!! Please let us know how it goes.

graceomalleyRN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Oh, best of luck! My best interview advice is to act confident. Fake it if necessary. :)

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

well, I didn't have to fake it. I wound up getting there early, and got out after answering the 20 question interview in about 1.5 hrs. Went well, I have scheduled interviews next week from noon until three for their cardiac ICU, cardiology floor and their general medical/tele floor. They all pay for ACLS, tele certification, and the ICU has a 6 month orientation. The other orientation is 3 weeks general, and 6-8 on the actual unit. Plus, they have a year long program for new grads with new roles/support classes to take.

The benefits look good, and you get about 136 hours of ET per year(that's if you don't take any at all....so go figure.) That breaks down to 12 days of ET, right? double time and a half for holidays, and 23.00/hr for starting pay.

Tuition assitance is only 8000/max though...so that's a downer.

Looking forward to keeping my options open, and props to any other new grad going for their first interview.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

good luck!

northernILnewby · Mar 22, 2008

Wow, sounds like a great hospital. I am near the chicagoland area, also. I am graduating in May and hate the whole interview process. Can you email me which hospital this is? It sounds like a good package.I am actually west of chicago quite a bit. I can either go to rockford or the burbs. Thanks! Good Luck!

beachbum3 · Mar 22, 2008

I had my first RN interview yesterday- it was a phone interview since its in Texas where I'm moving right after graduation. It was for an ER position in a level 2, 30 bed adult ER with a separate newly opened Peds ER. It is my 1st choice of everything and feels like the perfect position for me- it will be a great job if I get it.

I was super nervous- but it went really well. It was more of a conversation than a "questioning". He asked a few things, but then the conversation just kind of evolved on its own. He seemed really pleased with what I had to say and said he really enjoyed talking with me and that he can tell from talking to me that I'm definitley an ER nurse, and that I couldn't have given him better responses than what I gave. Then he asked me if I preferred days or nights, and asked if HR had gone over salary and benefits with me. When I told him they hadn't he filled me in on the sign on bonus, said he couldn't remember off hand what the starting pay is, but that he knows its more than the other areas of the hospital, and told me to save my receipts from my last semester of school because they will reimburse me. Also that they will give me $200 towards a NCLEX review class, and 2 paid days off to take the NCLEX. The hospital has a week long orientation, then in the dept they do 12 weeks, but its adjustable. He said most of the time people are chomping at the bit to be on their own by 10 weeks, but if 12 weeks comes it and I'm not ready, it can be extended. Also, I would have the same preceptor most of the time (except for things like when/if they should go on vacation or sick time etc) so that is nice too. So he sounded very positive about the whole thing, and I am SUPER excited. He said he had 2 more people he has to interview Monday and would call me to let me know what his decision is and asked for the best time to call. I'm feeling very positive about it. I really hope I get it.

To anyone out there getting ready to interview for the first time, my biggest tips are to be yourself, be professional, and be honest and real with the people you are talking to. Be yourself- just polished up and shiny!

And BTW- its totally surreal to actually be interviewing for RN positions now- I can't believe its finally all coming together. YAY for all of us in this boat together!