interview for a tech position! (kind of long)

[shrimpchips, LPN]

I'm soooooo nervous!!!!

I landed a job at a very well-known hospital this past summer as a patient care nursing assistant on a very busy internal medicine/telemetry unit (basically a general med-surg unit). The drive from my school, however, is far - it's about an hour and the drive causes me not to work as much. I'm PRN and work the bare minimum - two shifts/month. Over the summer I worked a lot more - two-three 12-hour shifts/week. This nurse tech position that I am interviewing for will help me put more of the skills I have learned in nursing school to use. At this hospital, we are allowed to insert foleys and do blood draws and other things - in my current position as a PCNA, I am only allowed to do very basic patient care, vital signs, calculating I/O (but not meds or IV fluids), admitting patients on telemetry and hooking up the leads, glucose checks, turning patients that need to be turned Q2H and "running errands" for the nurses, such as running to the blood bank, getting contrast dye or a bladder scanner that happens to be on another unit. As a nurse tech, I would doing that and so much more. The hospital is also about 10 minutes from where I live at school as opposed to my current job being about an hour away.

I have applied to this hospital numerous times - I can't even count! I would be really upset if I didn't get this position. I really want to WOW them with my interview.

However, I'm terrible at interviews. What kind of questions would I expect? My interview for my current job wasn't even a real interview...they just wanted to meet me and asked me to tell them about myself and what some of my goals were, then we took a whole tour of the unit and discussed orientation and hired me on the spot. I know I can expect a lot more with this job.

I also have a feeling that they are going to ask me about my current job. Honestly: I have a love/hate relationship with my job. The pay is good (and since I work nights I get shift differential) and the nurses on the night shift are very pleasant and helpful, but I hate the nurses are always like, "oh just go send one of the PCNAs to go do it" while they're chatting up a storm at the nurse's station. I know that I will get that ANYWHERE I go as a PCNA/NA/tech. I also do not like how it's so far - I want something that is a lot closer to where I live and I'm also looking to expand my skills with this job offer. What would be things that I should say and NOT say regarding my current job? Should I tell them about the commute? Should I tell them that I'm interested because I would get more experience at the new hospital even though I work for one of the top 4 best hospitals in the nation?

And another stupid question: hair up or down? I hate wearing my hair up because I look a lot younger than I really am (I'm 22). I always wear my hair up when I'm working but seriously, I always hear "you look a little too young to be working here, how old are you?" at least once every shift that I work. I look a lot better with my hair down but perhaps having it up would be more professional?

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this. Sorry that it was so long!:chuckle

[BluegrassRN]

Do NOT bash your current job. If they ask why you are looking for a new job, tell them you appreciate the skills you've learned so far, but you are applying for this job so that you can learn even more. Tell them the commute has also impeded your ability to work as much as you would like.

You might also mention that you would like to work there after graduation from nursing school. Most hospitals like to "grow their own" as it cuts down on orientation time and build loyalty.

Good luck.

[shrimpchips, LPN]

Do NOT bash your current job. If they ask why you are looking for a new job, tell them you appreciate the skills you've learned so far, but you are applying for this job so that you can learn even more. Tell them the commute has also impeded your ability to work as much as you would like.

You might also mention that you would like to work there after graduation from nursing school. Most hospitals like to "grow their own" as it cuts down on orientation time and build loyalty.

Good luck.

Thank you for the suggestion! :)

[shrimpchips, LPN]

No other suggestions?

[SophiaO]

My recommendation would be similar to the last post. Dont trash your last job. Keep to the facts regarding your commute. Tell them that you've heard of what a great hospital they have, and is looking forward to working with such a great organizations. HR people like to learn that you have goals. Usually questions that they will ask is...talk about a challenge that you've had with a coworker, and how did you work it out with them. Be professional and direct. How do you handle stress might be another question they ask. Another one might be how to you prioritize care? They want you to be a team player with a good attitude. I would wear your hair in a professional manner. Usually up off your face. Wear slacks and a nice sweater. This will convey a sense of professionalism. Good luck!