Help with an interview

ccalvinn · Mar 26, 2013

Hello everybody!

I have an upcoming interview at a state prison in Michigan and would like some help. Before I get to my questions, a little background. I graduated with my associate degree in nursing in December of 2011 and gained my RN license in June of 2012. I applied for a few jobs before getting my license but didn't really put my shoulder into it until afterwards. Since then I've put out many MANY applications and have only received two interviews. The first was over the phone and was for a position that I didn't apply directly for (it required two years experience which I obviously don't have), and the other was at a hospital.

I obviously didn't get either job and want to make as good of an impression at this interview as possible. I imagine being out of school for so long doesn't look good

I obviously didn't get either job. I know that being out of school for a year and having my license for almost 10 months can't look good. I've heard that being a correctional nurse can be a rewarding career and certainly has my interest, but at the same time I've heard that it isn't a good 'first' nursing job. While I would love to wait for the best possible job to present itself, I'm just not in a position to turn down an opportunity.

So... what would be some good questions to ask at the interview? I believe I've mentally prepared myself to work in a hospital setting and all of my questions apply to that. I imagine that security will be discussed during the interview, but if not is that good thing to ask about? Or would asking about that make me look naive (or worse yet scared)? Should I ask about the type of patients I'd be giving care to? Should I ask about the nursing theory used?

I don't want to ask questions that don't apply to a correctional setting, but I don't want to seem like I know nothing about it either.

Also, what would be the best skills to present? It's my understanding that in a correctional setting a good assessment skills is most sought after as well as being able to work independently. Both of these are skills that I possess, but is there something else that I should emphasize?

Any help you could provide would be most appreciated!