Interview question for new grad

huckfinn · Sep 21, 2005

Offer them you credentials and additional abilities re: languages and anything else you think of that puts you ahead of the rest and then say you are only looking for day shift employment. If you really feel those are the only hours you are willing to take, say so! Otherwise you will get the offer you get. On the other hand.....if you really want to work there, tell them you will take what they have and option for the first available day shift position. You will need to understand that seniority and other special needs may put you way on the bottom of the shift change list. Whatever you decide, if they offer you the next opening on days from another less than desirable shift make them put it in print. Good Luck!

NYNewGrad · Sep 21, 2005

Thanks huckfinn for the advice. There always one new grad who ends up getting day shift and I'm trying to figure it how I can be that one! :)

I have a lot to offer and I guess I just have to show them how ambitious and motivated I am.

NYNewGrad · Sep 22, 2005

Anyone else have advice? Please...

jalvino1 · Sep 22, 2005

The first step is to let them know what you want. "The truth is I function best daytime and cannot cope with very late hours or inconsistent schedules." That right there is a great answer! It's understandable, some people can handle it and others can't (I know I can't) I mean that's basically what I said, and they put it into consideration. the next step is to stand out from the crowd. And here's how I did it:

My interview was yesterday, and after my wowing interview I was offered a position on day shift (ortho/surgical) as a new grad. The nurse manager said "we never hire new grads on day shift, but I feel we should start, and I feel you would be the perfect one to break that mold." I do NOT think that I am that great. But lately I've discovered confidence goes much further than grades.

So this is what happened during my interview. the nurse manager showed me around the floor, then afterwards we went to her office and she asked me clinical questions

1. What would you do if a patient who needed to ambulate refused to get out of bed?

answer summary: I'd just pull up a chair next to the patient, show them I really do care about them (compassion) then tell them I'm going to take a walk around the floor, can you keep me company? (creativity)

2. something about a doctor and prescriptions and problems... I had no clue what she was asking, so I asked her to elaborate the question (*important* ASK if you do not know! Shows you won't make a stupid mistake because you're not afraid to ask if you don't know!) She elaborates-You were blamed for something that wasn't your fault.

answer summary: Obviously there was a communication problem, so I would collaborate (later complimented for using this word) with the other professions and clarify the situation (Team player) and try to get back to the task at hand (goal oriented) because bickering about it is just a waste of time I don't have (last line was kind of pushing it.)

3. ***Why do you want to be a nurse***

expect to be asked this. I'm not going to tell you my response because I'm sure yours is different. Be genuine in your answer, they'll pick up on your compassion towards nursing.

4. what brings you to California?

(I grew up in NY, went to school in NY, and moved to California after college)

I told her the truth- This may sound ridiculous, but I came here for the weather. I got sick and tired of the snow. I totalled my car in the snow, and I broke my knee skiing. (I said this and started kicking myself, don't give too much information about your social life, it's irrelevant and unprofessional. Luckily for me she thought it was wonderful I broke my knee because I can "better relate to my patients")

I did not think I did that great, but the nurse recruiter called during our interview and the nurse manager said "she's wonderful, I want her, don't let her see anymore nurse managers, she's mine" I was sitting there thinking "is she talking about me or another interviewee. She can't possibly be talking about me." The nurse manager then proceeded to repeat the questions she asked me to the nurse recruiter along with my answers!

By no means were my answers the only correct answers. My answers just fulfilled their criteria, and I was completely genuine and honest.

Rembember: Confidence. SMILE. be respectful to EVERYBODY (you don't know if that annoying person in the elevator is the nurse recruiter, or that the secretary is the nurse manager's best friend!)

Walk in there like you KNOW we were born to be a nurse, prove to them you're compassionate, creative, knowledgeable, a team player, critical thinker, and you'll wow them to the floor!

Best of luck to you!

jalvino1 · Sep 22, 2005

I know I just wrote you a novel on my interview but I have to include this...

The nurse manager said that she's not sure if my paperwork can be done before October 3rd. If not the next orientation is Nov. 4th. I just thought nuh uh, no way, I've waited long enough. So I told her flat out

"look, I'm from New York, and I don't know why paper work takes so long in California, but if there's anything I can do to speed up the process please let me know." I admit it was a gutsy thing to say, but as long as you keep a bright smile, and be as respectful as possible, it's amazing what you can get away with.

Anyway, the nurse manager LoVed it! It showed initiative and spunk. (I've NeVer considered myself to have spunk, but I'll take it as a compliment) The nurse recruiter on the other hand hugged me and said "I love this girl!" Then I asked why it would take so long. She said they can't do the background check until references clear. And I said "that's easy. You can call my professor right now, but I don't have her number on me. Do you mind if I use your internet for a brief moment to look up her office number?"

-Don't be afraid to think outside the box, if you stay tremendously polite, worse that can happen is she says no

-My professor told me in advance I can use her as a phone reference. Ask a person to be a reference first that way they won't be surprised. It'll only make you look bad when the reference says "who?"

So the reason I'm telling you this story is because I would've done ANYTHING to get this ball rolling, and they can pick up on that, they can tell when you're serious. And if you get them to LoVe you, you'll get what you want easily.

Us New Yorkers are a special breed. Use that to your advantage.

Da Monk · Sep 22, 2005

I do not know how it is in NY or where ever, but it seems a bit presumptuous to me ( having been in this game for 30 years), for one to expect to be exclusively hired onto the day shift directly out of school. You may expect to have to put in you dues first. Although it is possible for a new grad to get day shift, say, in the OR because that's when most of the work is done. Having been a director, I would think twice about hiring a new grad demanding first shift. And the excuse about not performing well on other shifts will cut no ice. We are all expected to do other shifts in our careers at one time or another. And flexibility is a characteristic looked for in staff nurses by management. Nevertheless, good luck.

NYNewGrad · Sep 22, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS on an awesome interview and landing a great job! Wow!

I will definitely take all those tips into account. I've also been reading a nursing job search book which has interview tips and I wrote down some nursing experiences that I may decide to bring up in the course of the interview.

Interview is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it.

BTW, I can totally relate to your knee thing - I ripped up my knee in January skiing, had surgery in June and am now at the tail end of rehab. I think it will be beneficial if I mention that I've learnt a lot from this experience in terms of the importance of patient education, compassion and more...

Thank you so much for your info!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 22, 2005

While the interview tips you have received are good ones and may help you get what you want ... you also need to prepare yourself for the possibility that the shift is not negotiable.

In most hospitals that I have worked, there is a standard "starting package" that includes some items (usually salary and benefits ... but also often including schedule) that are non-negotiable. It's OK to ask politely about those issues and express your preferences, but the answer will not change no matter how much the interviewer likes you. This is because the interview also has to consider the needs/want of the rest of the staff. If the manager "plays favorites" and gives her favorite people a better deal than some of the more senior staff, it can cause horrible morale problems in the long run. For example, if 10 people who have worked there for some time and done a good job are waiting in line for a permanent day position ... and you, who is brand new and have made no contributions to the unit, are moved ahead of them in line ... how do you think they would feel?

Keep in mind how you would feel if you had been working there for a while and doing a good job ... and some new person was given "goodies" that were not available to you. Remember that you should want to work for an employer that treats its existing staff well and doesn't just offer the "goodies" as an inducement to new people. If you read many of the posts on this board, you know that fair treatment and retention of existing staff is one of the biggest issues in nursing today. It shouldn't all be about offering incentives and rewards to lure in new people while you treat your existing staff badly.

So ... if the issue is negotiable ... go for it. But if it is not negotiable, accept that fact with grace and professionalism and be prepared to compromise. A lot of times you can get a little compromise (e.g. how many nights in row, etc.) if you are willing to give a little rather than take an "all or nothing" approach.

llg

NYNewGrad · Sep 22, 2005

I definitely hear what you are all saying about giving day shift based on seniority. It makes a lot of sense and its only right that way if a senior and a new grad are vying for the same position.

At the same time, we may be coming from two diffrent situations. Here in NY there is a huge demand for nurses. Two of my classmates just got CTICU day shift straight out of school. Based on that, I see its possible, but like you all pointed out, its not easy and simple.

I was just looking for suggestions or advice on what I can say to increase my chances.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 22, 2005

At the same time, we may be coming from two diffrent situations. .

Exactly. That's why I tried to leave the door open for the possibility that it will be negotiable. It never hurts to ask ... as long as you are asking nicely.

Good luck,

llg

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Sep 22, 2005

I do not know how it is in NY or where ever, but it seems a bit presumptuous to me ( having been in this game for 30 years), for one to expect to be exclusively hired onto the day shift directly out of school. You may expect to have to put in you dues first. Although it is possible for a new grad to get day shift, say, in the OR because that's when most of the work is done.

I don't for one minute expect to take a night shift, nor will I accept one. In this day and age (nursing shortage and all) I don't even have to discuss it. I am in 3rd semester and I already have 2 day shift jobs lined up (just have to decide which one I want). Here were my requirements for a job: Offer me a critical care course right away, be day shift, and be with 10 miles of my house. No problems. I would just say that I am unwilling to take a night shift, and move on to another hospital. Get a year in another hospital on days and then move on the the better hospital when you have more experience.