Interview at Johns Hopkins Hospital for New Nurse Position

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Hello everyone!

I'll be graduating at the end of October (odd date, I know) with my BSN from an accelerated second degree program. I was applied to JHH for a new nurse position (med/surg) and I was invited for an interview!

I am extremely nervous because this will be my first interview for a nursing position, and I have never worked in healthcare. I have no relevant experience. I understand that nurse managers ask behavioral and clinical scenario questions.

Has anyone interviewed with them? Do you have any tips or examples of clinical scenarios that they might ask?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in critical care ICU.

Congrats on the interview :)

I also have no relevant healthcare experience (I worked retail through nursing school). Think back to your clinical rotations for the scenario questions. Like, if they asked me about how I handled a difficult patient/family experience, I can refer back to a patient's family who was really "needy" and constantly wanted us in there. Like, they wouldn't even use the call bell. They just walked out in the hallway and found a nurse for something non-urgent. I handled it by putting myself in their shoes. Their aging mother is very ill and in a lot of pain. They are terrified. While all I could do was reinforce the patient's care plan, answer questions (even for a 3rd time)...and having it not work, I was able to prevent frustration in myself by meeting them at their level.

Start thinking of moments from clinical. Even the little ones you didn't find that significant. Seeing a patient smiling after you gave them a bed bath, changed their sheets, and re-warmed their lunch tray. It doesn't have to be a life/death situation where you intervened and did something amazing (though don't omit those stories if you have those too). I have an interview coming up too...I am so nervous like you but I'm so so so excited to show them who I am other than some lines on paper. :yes:

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how long after you applied online did you get a call for an interview?

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Specializes in critical care ICU.

It wasn't longer than a week. I actually applied one hospital but a different hospital (in the same healthcare system) contacted me for the interview. They are all networked.

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It wasn't longer than a week. I actually applied one hospital but a different hospital (in the same healthcare system) contacted me for the interview. They are all networked.

is this for john hopkins?

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Specializes in critical care ICU.
is this for john hopkins?

I can't really say anything except for no it's not.

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Okay , I'm asking specifically for john hopkins , to the op how long did you have to wait to get an interview?

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Hi MissPatricia. The scenario questions they ask you will depend on what kind of unit you are on. I interviewed for a pediatric position and had a scenario like "Your patient comes in for asthma exacerbation, what is the first thing you do? What do you do next?" After studying for the NCLEX you should be primed to answer these types on questions. Just remember ABC's.

I also had a question about prioritization and delegation. It went something like "You just got an admit from the ED, your other patient just vomited and is calling for assistance, transport just arrived for your other patient who is going to the OR, and another patient is irrate and yelling because they have been waiting for discharge, how do you delegate in this situation?" I had the choice of asking my charge nurse, a tech, and other team members (I don't remember) for assistance. As a new grad I know I didn't answer this one correctly in hindsight, but I explained my rationale to the best of my ability and it was completely fine. The most important thing is to communicate that you would ask for help when overwhelmed and won't take everything on by yourself.

Don't worry about not having hospital work experience. JHH is a teaching hospital and they don't expect everyone to have a hospital background. Since my work background was in retail, I was asked questions like "Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to help a patient OR customer". So you can draw on your clinical experience or whatever your work background is.

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johnsonmichelle,

I applied twice. When I first applied in August, I called the nurse recruitment office and I was told that they generally don't respond to applicants until they are within 2 months of their graduation date.

I later applied in September, and received a follow-up email the next day, and was invited for an interview within 3 days.

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Thank you for the advice, kataraang! Good luck on your interview! It sounds like you will be a wonderful nurse.

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mermaid_rn,

Thank you! That was really helpful! I just started studying for the NCLEX, so I'm doubly nervous. You make a great point on JHH being a teaching hospital- its one of the reasons that I want to work there!

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johnsonmichelle,

I applied twice. When I first applied in August, I called the nurse recruitment office and I was told that they generally don't respond to applicants until they are within 2 months of their graduation date.

I later applied in September, and received a follow-up email the next day, and was invited for an interview within 3 days.

okay, i applied for months and never got a call back. So good for you for scoring an interview, its obvious they're very strict on having a bsn. I have hospital experience and I did not call get a call back.

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