Interview at Duke

Archie123 · Mar 30, 2014

I am going on April 9th and interviewing in the PICU and Pediatric Cardiac ICU! I am flying down from Boston and am super excited. Do you have the interview before or after the shadowing experience?

ConzRN · Mar 30, 2014

Doindia I'm actually interviewing this week. I'll keep you posted. :) I didn't know there were so many applicants, that's crazy! I believe they have several cohorts per year though (unless I'm mistaken), so you should try applying to the next one!

Archie123 I have my interview before the shadowing experience. What is the open house?

bpickard90 · Mar 31, 2014

Archie123, That's awesome! I will see you there! I'm coming from Jacksonville, FL.

This was the agenda I received from the Nurse Recruiter. She called in an "open house" in the email.

Interview Agenda

Date: Wednesday, 4/9/14

Time: 3:30 - 3:45 pm

Arrive in Nurse Recruitment for registration

Please come dressed in interview attire and comfortable shoes.

3:45 - 4:30 pm

Welcome, Presentations about the PICU and PCICU by the unit nurse managers

4:30 - 4:45 pm

Presentation from previous new graduate nurses

4:45 - 6:45 pm

Interviews and unit tours

Archie123 · Apr 2, 2014

bpickard90 - are you also interviewing for both units? Also, I saw on this thread that a lot of people have worn scrubs to the interviews because of the shadowing, but I didn't get that from the email the recruiter sent. Are you wearing interview attire? I tried PMing you but I don't have enough posts yet!

bpickard90 · Apr 4, 2014

Archie yes for both units. My recruiter told me to wear interview attire but comfortable shoes.

ConzRN · Apr 14, 2014

Found out this week that I didn't get the job. I'm very disappointed, because I absolutely loved the unit, and everyone I interacted with during my shadowing experience was so warm and inviting. I honestly felt at home! Didn't take them long to get back to me either-- I interviewed on a Friday and I got my rejection e-mail the next Tuesday. I tried to get some feedback from the manager, and I only received a generic response about how other candidates scored better than me in the interview process.

Although I am really disappointed, it was a wonderful experience nonetheless. It was only my first hospital interview, so I still learned a lot! It's too bad my first interview had to be for my dream position at my dream hospital, but at least I have an idea of what I can work on for my next interview.

UCAFblue · Apr 15, 2014

You will have other chances at your dream job, ConzRN!! I still haven't heard anything from Duke, but did get another offer in New Mexico that I'll be taking. It's in my dream unit, and I'm so relieved to finally have someone say yes! I graduated last year and have been searching for 10 months with nothing working out until now. I was afraid I'd go past that 1 year mark without having worked as a nurse, but it goes to show you that you shouldn't ever give up hope that you'll find what you're looking for. I've had a good amount of interviews in those 10 months and I really learned a lot from every single one - I felt more and more confident in how I was answering questions as each one passed. It's just a matter finding the place that's the right fit for you. You have the right attitude and I think as long as you are willing to move anywhere, you will get your dream job someday (hopefully soon)! :)

ConzRN · Apr 15, 2014

Thanks for the words of encouragement UCAFblue!! I'm in the same boat--I also graduated last year in June, so it's been almost a year and I haven't had any nursing experience. After applying to several hospitals in and out of state since graduation, Duke is the only one that has extended me an interview invitation so far. I learned so much though, and I know next time I'll be more confident because of this experience. Congratulations on your job offer in New Mexico!! :)

UCAFblue · Apr 15, 2014

Thanks for the congrats! I know exactly how you must be feeling. This past year since graduation has gone by so fast, hasn't it?! Have you looked in New Mexico at all? The place I got an offer from is in Las Cruces. It was the first place I had an interview in that wasn't a big city with tons of competition, so I think that really helped. If you think you might be willing to live there, it might be worth a try to see if there are any jobs there you might be interested in. North Dakota could be worth a look too if you haven't already. I know for some people they may not be ideal locations, but maybe you'd find the job you want!

kmb1991 · May 22, 2014

Are there any people who currently work at Duke or live in the area who could recommend a good place to live? I'd like to find a 1 bedroom in Durham for less than 750 if I can...

rian16 · Jun 20, 2014

Hi kmb1991, are you still looking for a place to live? I'm also lloking for an apartment and won't mind to have a roommate

kmb1991 · Jun 20, 2014

Hi kmb1991, are you still looking for a place to live? I'm also lloking for an apartment and won't mind to have a roommate

Hey rian16, I've actually already committed to a one bedroom at ashley park at brier creek. I haven't seen it in person but it seems nice!