I got a request for an interview!

ava'smomRN · Jan 10, 2008

congrats!

i will share a few tips i have learned.

be prepared to talk about a situation where you made a mistake, hpw did you fix it?

always make your weakness, a strength

be preapared to state your strengths and weakness

be prepared to describe clinical experiences

be prepared to talk about how your clinical instructor, coworkers, classmates would describe you

be prepared to state why you chose nursing, why you chose the facilty th you are interviewing

Ask questions

i hope i haven't overwhelmed you, i have been on a lot of interviews

best of luck too you!

Italia13 RN · Jan 11, 2008

:ancong!:

I just went on an interview yesterday in a local ED and they called me back the same day and offered me the JOB! I am not graduating til May either but it is def something to look forward too. Anyways, here are some tips I can give:

1. Always keep good eye contact

2. Have a firm but not too overgripping handshake

3. Always be prepared to say your strengths and weaknesses...I was worried about this one because since i myself will be a new grad I have plenty of weaknesses... but stay away from saying stuff that will affect how you will work on the floor EX: Time management, DONT SAY THAT!!! I said Documentation and Assessment skills, something that is a weakness that I can gradually work on being a new grad. For your stengths I always say an example of myself showing it after I state why i feel i strong in certain areas.

4.They know that we havent mastered our clinical skills yet so many questions are based on situations and how you will handle them. EX: you have 3 patients and 1 of them are really needy and always wants you in the room... how would you handle that, knowing you have 2 other patients to care for?

5. Why did you get into nursing?

6. Know some things about the hospital you are applying for and ask questions at the end of the interview.... it shows that you really care about this position

some questions: * nurse patient ratio? *How is scheduling done? *Woudl you be able to work a schedule around me if i go back to school? * what are some likes and dislikes about this hospital? * What do you love about working here that makes you come to work everyday? ... Just some questions I think are pretty good and believe me they love when you come prepared with questions!!

6. Just go in there and be yourself... this is your time to shine and show them that you are a New Graduate and you are HUNGRY and EAGER to learn! Show enthusiam and passion for the floor you are applying for and Hopefully they will see something special in you and hire you!!!

GOOD LUCK in your JOB SEACH!! Hope this helped!

Maudy · Jan 11, 2008

Thanks to both of you that replied. I have my interview on the 22nd. Cross your fingers!! :)

LadyQT · Jan 14, 2008

Congratulations to you!

I have gotten two interview requests so far. One at Hopkins in Baltimore and Inova Fairfax in VA. Is there any comparison regarding choosing a facility after I get offered a position? Given that Hopkins is Magnet and one of the best in the country? Anyone who has interviewed with any of these hospitals I would love to hear your input.

Thanks!

pugmama · Jan 14, 2008

Believe in yourself, and it will shine through! I am a new grad who interviewed at 2 hospitals, both jobs are in specialty units--NICU and L&D. I was offered both jobs!

*Dress well--while you have lots to choose from--I'll tell you what I wore--basic black or brown slacks and a very nice sweater (helps me rationalize the $$$ I spent on it. . .from Nordstrom).

*Bring your resume and cover letter (even if they have it in digital form. . . the real deal looks so much better!), letters of recommendation, your transcript (if you'd like to show that you got good grades/not necessary, but if you did really well, show off!)

*Make eye contact

*Show a little personality. You don't need to be dull to be professional.

*Show them that you want the job--you are motivated and highly interested. They want to know that you'll still be there in year (or 2).

*Before you go--think of a few stories from clinicals that show you

have people skills--working with difficult people, families, or the great day where you knew that you made a difference in someone's life.

*Ask Questions! About CE, orientation, why the position is open, just take some time to ask them something.

*When all is said and done, go home and write a Thank-You note.

Remember, this interview is your chance to show the hospital who you are! Be confident. You came this far, and you want the job you dreamed of!

laurenleigh012 · Jan 16, 2008

Congratulations to you!
I have gotten two interview requests so far. One at Hopkins in Baltimore and Inova Fairfax in VA. Is there any comparison regarding choosing a facility after I get offered a position? Given that Hopkins is Magnet and one of the best in the country? Anyone who has interviewed with any of these hospitals I would love to hear your input.
Thanks!

I go to Towson University in Maryland and I'm currently doing my senior practicum at Hopkins on the Cardiac SICU. I haven't interviewed there, so I can't tell you anything about their interview process, but would I can tell you is that if you get a job there, TAKE IT!! I have bee so impressed with the nurses and the hospital in general. They seem to really take care of their employees, I know that if you're interested in getting another degree I think they basically pay for it. Plus, no matter where you go after that, you have Hopkins on your resume... that alone is extremely impressive. A few of my clinical instructors either graduated from Hopkins or worked here, and they have all said it's helped them tremendously when applying for other jobs. Hope that helps somewhat!!

LadyQT · Jan 16, 2008

Thank you laurenleigh012 for you input I am going to make sure when I go to my interview that I make the best impression possible so this job can be mine....:w00t:I'm claiming it in Jesus's name!!

laurenleigh012 · Jan 16, 2008

Good luck, let me know how it goes!!!

LadyQT · Jan 16, 2008

Will do! It's not until the end of February though.

pinkiepie_RN · Jan 18, 2008

I go to Towson University in Maryland and I'm currently doing my senior practicum at Hopkins on the Cardiac SICU. I haven't interviewed there, so I can't tell you anything about their interview process, but would I can tell you is that if you get a job there, TAKE IT!! I have bee so impressed with the nurses and the hospital in general. They seem to really take care of their employees, I know that if you're interested in getting another degree I think they basically pay for it. Plus, no matter where you go after that, you have Hopkins on your resume... that alone is extremely impressive. A few of my clinical instructors either graduated from Hopkins or worked here, and they have all said it's helped them tremendously when applying for other jobs. Hope that helps somewhat!!

Not related to the OP, but yay for another Towson U student!

helloworld · Jan 18, 2008

OMG! I'm so nervous! I just graduated nursing school in December and I have applied for 6 jobs so far. I do not have any experience in the nursing field at all, so that's why I'm extremely nervous, plus interviews are nerve wracking!
I just wanted to share the good news with all of you. I'm going to look around here for interview tips since it's been a while since I've had an interview. :)

All the tips you've been given above are important, and definitely helped me when I went to interview. The one thing I will tell you is that you DO have experience in the nursing field! You've been studying and doing clinicals, right? True, it's not working experience, but it is experience in the sense that you know what kind of nurse you want to be, you know the things you've seen others do that you don't want to be part of your practice, you know the principles, and you know what you believe about patient care and patient advocacy, so you do have some experience, and that's what the interviewer will be asking you about, so think along those lines.

Good luck to you! :up: