Help! I need some advice about a PCT/CNA interview! Please!

[TaraAnn91]

Hi Allnurses, I need some info on what kinds of questions do hospitals ask in the interview! This job is more like a career to me because it is my dream job, its where I could see myself in the next twenty plus years! I'm really feeling the pressure and am nervous going into interviews! I don't want to mess this up, I want to be the one the hiring managers choose! I don't have a lot of experience mostly personal care and self employment because it was hard for me to work without a car with my little ones. Now I have a car and dependable transportation. Does anyone remember what hospitals ask during their interview!?!?! Thank you and I would appreciate it so much! My interview will be next Wednesday at 2:30!!!

Also, what does OBSERVATIONAL MATERNAL UNIT mean? what does the observational mean, responsibility wise?

[mursesomeday]

I can only speak from my experience, which was just a few weeks ago. The interview started out with a number of "standard" questions that you would be asked at any entry level job interview. Things such as, "How do you handle a fast-paced work environment," "Would you consider yourself a team player" and "What do you feel is the acceptable number of unexcused absences per year." After three or four of those, it honestly went in more of a 'conversation' direction, rather than interrogation interview. Since I'm doing this as a major 180 career change, they asked a lot about how I felt my previous job experience, education and skill set could be applied to an NA position. They also asked a lot about working while I'm in school, since I'm starting nursing school as well. And that was followed with some time management discussion.

If this is your dream job and it's what you want to be doing for a long time, make sure that enthusiasm and love of the job comes across during your discussion with the interviewers. They'll definitely see and feel that and it will go a long way.

Good luck!

[ContraryRock]

Most of the interviews I have had center around customer service, interaction with coworkers, and dealing with management/supervisors. How would you react if a supervisor gave you an order you didn't agree with? Have you ever made a safety error and how did you deal with it? How do you deal with cranky coworkers? How do you deal with irate patients/customers? What do you do if you feel like a coworker is not doing their fair share of the work? What do you feel is your biggest strength and/or biggest weakness? (Definitely have an answer for that last bit- and then follow it up with how you are working to correct your weakness or some way that it works to your advantage). They will also probably ask about how you prioritize your work and how you get the job done.

They will almost always bring up absences/lateness. I would be honest about your commute/scheduling needs- if anything would stop you from coming in/showing up on time on a regular basis, let them know now.

I would make sure to learn as much as you can about the hospital you'd be working for- what is their culture like, what do they emphasize (is it academic? community hospital? etc). Have an answer for why you think that particular hospital is the right fit for you. Have a really strong answer for "Tell me about yourself"- they ALWAYS start the interview with this. If you have educational goals, mention them, especially if it's an academic hospital.

Don't hesitate to ask questions during the interview, but allow them to bring up pay/benefits.

In my experience, as long as you have done your research on the facility and seem enthusiastic about the position, like mursesomeday says above, you should be fine. Good luck!