Need some pointers, advice, PLEEEEZ re becoming Nurse Educator

Hello,

I don't know the answer to question about what kind of questions to anticipate for your interview, however I wanted to say good-luck to you! I know that they need good instructors out there to nuture new nurses and shape the future of nursing!!

Y2KRN

First off, what is an ADN instructor?? If I know what it is, maybe I can help you out re: possible interview questions.

cheers!

Jo-Anne

Associate Degree of Nursing....

I might anticipate questions about:

Teaching experiences you've had

whether you've mentored new nurses at work

Whether you would consider starting on your MSN within the next year

What you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses

VickyRN, did you get my "pm" message that I sent you regarding your questions? I hope my answers were of help to you. :)

As a hiring manager I would agree with Molly. The strengths and especially "greatest weaknesses" questions are the ones that inevitably tie people up the most. There are many variations on "what's your greatest weakness" like "if there was one thing you could improve what would it be", but they are all designed to do one thing and that is elicit a reason NOT to hire you! I cannot tell you how many people bomb this one with words right out of their own mouth like "my biggest weakness... well, I really have trouble making it to work on time." Hence, I'd be very careful in how you word your reply to those types of questions. In fact I usually recommend folks respond with something that is in fact not really a weakness, but a positive about themselves. Things like "humm..... I'd say it's the fact that things are never really good enough for me... I mean, I know that when I have done something as good as I can I should let it go, but... but I always feel like I could do it better, that I should put a bit more time into it. Sometimes I wind up staying a bit late, or put to much focus on getting it just perfect." Now that is not something an employer that requires you to be detail oriented is going to hold against you... You do have to be careful to use something that is genuine and sounds sincere, but if done right it keeps you safe.

Also, most hiring managers I know hire as much on how motivated, and how much ambition and raw "fire in the eyes" someone shows as they do for skill. If you can go in exuding confidence, passion, and desire to do the job you will always stand out. If you couple that with your experience and how you are going to be able to teach and apply "practical" skills and knowledge you have gained over the years into your interview you should do quite well indeed! I would also emphasize how much teaching/mentoring of junior staff you have done and how extensive your textbook knowledge of Nursing/Med's is (be prepared to give examples if need be).

There are many more little tricks, but for a couple more tips. Dress very nicely (especially for a teaching job), be sure not to wear anything to revealing, or ill-fitting. Smile alot; be genuine and sincere and upbeat. Also, a couple small tips that can help are to bring extra résumé's with you to pass onto other folks who may interview you, be very nice to the receptionist, and write a short, professional "thank you for interviewing" me letter and send it out the day after you talk to them that expresses how interested you are in the position and how well you feel your qualifications match what they seek. Finally, best of success in getting the position. God knows we need more Nurses!

Dynamic, that is excellent advice on the weakness question. I intend to use it on my next interview.

One question I got that threw me was "What qualities do you look for in a supervisor?" I never had that question before, and was caught off-guard. I think I gave a crappy answer as a result, I said something like I like a supervisor that really listens to me, and respects my judgement. I think it was lame.

And yes, do be dynamic. I think I blew it on my last interview because I am just not one to toot my own horn so to speak. I am confident in my abilities, but I have to remember, these people have not worked with me before, so I really have to work on that.

Also, have a list of questions to ask, even if it seems they told you everything about the job. I go to the web site and say something like, well I read on your web site ________, can you tell me a little more about that?

Good Luck. I wish they'd lift those MSN restriction in NJ!