I never know how to answer this question

[Blackheartednurse]

Ok so whenever I have an interview with a HR or nursing manager I never know how to answer correctly this particular question "What is the least thing you liked about Nursing School" Arghhhhhhh,I swear this question always leaves me speechless..Whenever I'm faced with with a question "What did you like best about Nursing school" I can answer it without pause and with some sense...but I'm always hesistant to give answer to what I did not like about Nursing School..Like today I had a "talk" with a nurse recruiter and during our chat she unexpectedly asked me what I liked best about nursing school I answered that I'm a med-surg girl cause I like to learn about a bit of everything--the chat we had was actually about a med-surg position opening..then the dreaded question came "What have you not liked about nursing school" Big pause in my speech and I clumsly answered "Peds,cause it takes a lot of practice and knowledge to take care of a pediatric client since kids can turn on you very quickly and they often can tell you what hurts etc" So then the nurse recruiter proceed to tell me that the nurses on the med-surg at this particular hospital (very small rural hospital) take care of all age groups..Bummer...but anyway she said she will still consider me and she told me to think about if I'm interested in this postion (I would have to relocate but they are willing to pay my relocation fees and train me for few months or even up to one year)..I just fee so bad that I never to know how to answer such a simple interview question in a diplomatic way so my chance to get an interview with a floor manager wont be comromised...Answers like "I didnt like the long hours,critical thinking tests,not being able to spend time with my family etc doesnt sound like a good answers either any suggestions please........

[klone, MSN, RN]

Without hesitation, I would say "Writing papers in APA format."

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

I would probably answer that question with something vague like a lack of sleep. Something all nursing students can relate to.

I agree. If the interviewer is not asking a specific question like 'which patient population do you hate working with', don't volunteer an answer that is sure to backfire on you. Especially a med surg floor where you'll encounter every type of patient.

[Jules A, MSN]

From previous posts I thought the OP was already working as a nurse so I wonder why they would be asking this question.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

The tests, definitely!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

You could always go with something you are sure NOT to encounter on the floor you are interviewing for...like L&D or OR. Those were my least favorite rotations, so it works out for me

[klone, MSN, RN]

From previous posts I thought the OP was already working as a nurse so I wonder why they would be asking this question.

I believe she started a thread about being let go from her job.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

While I totally understand the rationale, I've always had a hard time with the advice (and I mean in general, not here) about answering interview questions. It's widespread knowledge/advice to answer questions about negatives by making them positive, etc, and to me, you'd think that all interviewers are going to KNOW that people are answering a question in a way that "sounds good,".....KWIM?

Like I said, my comments are not directed at all towards anyone here. I remember hearing that years ago, about any other job, not just nursing. I can't imagine being the one doing the interviews, I think it would be very obvious when someone was trying to do that....you KNOW everyone has a weakness, right?

Interviews become so much about "strategy" and not enough about the person themselves. You hear all the advice about what to say, how to dress, etc etc, and while of course you're going to present yourself in the best light, it has to be hard to judge that person for who they actually are.

That got a little off topic, I am sorry!!

[Tait, MSN, RN]

What did I like least? I can definitely relate to sleep and APA format. I remember my interview with my manager for the floor I work on now. She asked me "What brought you to GA?" I said "I met my boyfriend in an online video game." She chuckled politely, looked at me like "and I can't wait til that falls apart" and hired me on the spot.

Lucky for her I married him!

I am ok with the weakness question. I am just honest and say that I sometimes try to do everything on my own and need to keep working on asking for more help.

Tait