Interview Advice for RN Students/New Grads

[shilich]

Hey RNs (and almost RNs)! I just went on a couple interviews at big NY hospitals and felt like I could have been more prepared- thank goodness they went pretty well and I was able to think on my feet but I wanted to share my experiences with new grads-and those who are still in school to pass on what I learned to maybe help you out.

What to bring with you: SUPER IMPORTANT***

They may send you information about what to bring or tell you over the phone but just to be super prepared this is what I would say to bring with you- (get there at least an hour before)

1. All original documents of your license- like everything you received in the mail by your board of nursing

2. original copy of school transcript (unopened)

3. original CPR/BLS/ACLS/PALS etc cards and any appropriate certifications you have

4. 2 letters of recommendation- though they may not ask for this on the online applications but they WILL ask for this at the time of your interview- ask 2 professors/clinical instructors for general letters way in advance so you will have them by the time an interview comes along.

5. at least 3 copies of your resume

6. your list of references (give information as to their connection to you their email and phone numbers and best time to reach them)- give both clinical and professional, they like the mix

7. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT- come with all your employment history pre-written with all the details for each place- time (month/yr) you were there, address, phone number, salary, supervisor (name/number)- this will save you time by just copying it in to the application boxes you will be filling out once you get there so you wont be researching addresses on your phone!!! Also include in this list the addresses/number of places of previous education (back to HS) as well as your license numbers and exp dates etc.

**On the application they will have a place to fill in your requested salary and schedule- I would suggest (unless it isn't true) that you have "flexible" hours and "negotiable" pay- I felt too awkward actually writing in anything and as a New grad those things were definitely true!!! :)

Here are some qs they may ask- I suggest you prepare for all of them.

1. Why do you want to be a nurse? this is the easiest one- go from your heart and be honest

2. Why this institution? why this unit? read the website, if you are interviewing for a specific unit. Do your homework.

3. Always know your strengths and weakness- prepare at least 2 for both.

4. Favorite and Least favorite classes and clinicals and why. Be honest but I wouldn't suggest saying- you didn't like your geriatric rotation bc you hate old people.... always turn your answers to something positive- was it not as challenging as others? did you feel it didn't utilize your strengths as well as others?

5. What you do to de-stress? easy enough to answer i think...

6. It is never to early to prepare for your interview the best way would be to journal throughout school. Doesn't have to be every day or extremely detailed but simply to remember your experiences when they ask you about them in the future-- especially those where you learned something significant, a clinical catch you made, a time you had to prioritize, a time you had to advocate for a patient, deal with any type of conflict, a time where you had to deal with a patient's family needs. These are inevitable interview questions you will probably get at least 2 of these if not more. Sometimes if you have not already thought of what to answer it is hard to go back through all your nursing education/clinicals to remember them. I assure you, you have answers to these questions you just need to think about it for a while. If you think of one challenging experience that had a couple of different factors you may be able to use it for multiple different qs- sometime having one good experience in your back pocket to refer to can cover a lot of interview questions that may be asked.

7. Have some questions for them: some examples are about the orientation time, the number of preceptors you may have, the time your benefits go into effect (places tend to have a probationary period where you don't get your vacation days etc until you have worked for x amount of time). Tuition reimbursement, clinical and leadership ladders, extra certifications and when/where to take them, education differentials and any other qs that you may think of that are specific to the unit. You can ask about turnover rates for the unit, support services (ie for an ICU setting where burnout and other frustrations are likely) as well as subsidized housing.

8. Give a good handshake, make eye contact, smile and thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. If they give you their card/email address- email them thanking them and reiterating that you are interested in the job etc.

9. It pays to be persistent- sometimes you may have a good interview but not hear back right away- give a call, an email etc with so many applications and so many interviews you may have gotten lost- advocate for yourself.

10. Wear a suite- the ladies at Macy's helped me out with that!

11. Meet with a mentor or someone you have worked with that has given you guidance in the past to help prepare you and encourage you- they will give you the confidence to walk into that first interview with your head high.

I think that is everything! Good luck to everyone and I really hope this helps you!

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

What a great post ! I want to add. Be prepared to answer this question: Tell me about a mistake you made and what did you do about it?

I was asked this and I honestly had to take a 1-2 minutes to think of an answer. I was honest and told them about a scenario.

That reminds me to say that it is okay to think about the question for a few moments if need be. Even if you reheorifice, sometimes our minds go blank. It is better to think about what you say before saying something you cannot take back.

Smile, be yourself, and relax....