Interviewing Tips for Nursing School

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2009

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/pre-entrance-interview-148289.html - pre-entrance interview advice?
http://www.college-admission-essay.com/interview.html
look at the various specialties in nursing on this page and if there is one that you are interested in learn more about it: http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-careers - list of nursing specialties
know what a nurse does. rns are problem solvers and managers of patient care. we apply scientific principles to help us accomplish that. we also have compassion for those we help.
you may be asked about how you work under pressure or how you will work if assigned to a group project with people you do not like. a big part of our job is dealing with problems and conflict, so have an answer ready for this.
when i interviewed nurses for jobs these are the qualities i looked for:
- initiative - autonomy
- dynamism - energy
- positive outlook
- responsibility
- orientation to the client and co-workers (ability to provide customer service)
- learning capacity
- productivity
- high adaptability - flexibility
- leadership
- team work
- tolerance to pressure
- analytic ability
- professional development
[*]things not to do at an interview:
- show your superiority in the situation
- show your agreement or disagreement with the things the interviewer says
- compare yourself with other candidates for the positions during the interview
- interrupt the candidate without a reason (the interruption is accepted only with a specific purpose)
- use or talk about technology you can't understand
- talk about irrelevant things
- in fact, just don't say anything negative

deftonez188 · Apr 20, 2009

things not to do at an interview:
show your superiority in the situation
show your agreement or disagreement with the things the interviewer says
compare yourself with other candidates for the positions during the interview
interrupt the candidate without a reason (the interruption is accepted only with a specific purpose)
use or talk about technology you can't understand
talk about irrelevant things
in fact, just don't say anything negative

this part is especially important. at a group interview i went to with 40 people (special extern program) we were asked to write an essay on the spot about a recent success with a patient. 98% of those who spoke about theirs placed a negative connotation with the care the rn was providing and how they essentially fixed the nurse's mistakes to the benefit of their patient. a failed tactic - my essay did not discredit my colleagues or place myself into a position of superiority, ended up being selected.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2009

at a group interview i went to with 40 people (special extern program) we were asked to write an essay on the spot about a recent success with a patient. 98% of those who spoke about theirs placed a negative connotation with the care the rn was providing and how they essentially fixed the nurse's mistakes to the benefit of their patient. a failed tactic - my essay did not discredit my colleagues or place myself into a position of superiority, ended up being selected.

when we interviewed people for jobs, negativity was a definite turn-off. why? negativity is an unwanted behavior in employees. it is a cardinal sign of belligerence. in coursework students are primarily asked to chance their thinking about many things. that can't be done when people are belligerent and resistive to change. one thing that has been true about every nursing job i have had is that things change constantly on the job from day to day and week to week. where you hear about facilities that have problems is where they have not been able to keep up with the changes. it takes positive energy to keep up with change.

VM85 · Apr 22, 2009

at my interview they asked things such as why do you want to get into the nursing field?what would you bring as a nursing student and possibly as a nurse? name 3 qualities that are strengths in relation to being a nurse? and I also had to write a short paragraph about an event that changed my life, and also they gave me like 10 math questions(like the ones on the entrance exam, percentages, ratios, solving for x). Dress professionally, like your going to a job interview- take out any piercings and cover any tattoos- dont use any slang, use yes rather than yeah or yep( no rather than nope) turn off your cell phone and try not to get distracted. If your nervous, which I was, just take a deep breath try to gain control and think of what she is asking- dont pounce around the question, just answer what she is asking! and i think most of all, just be yourself and dont be afraid to show a little personality and confidence so she remebers you after you leave....and say thankyou for their time and give a firm handshake, but dont break their hand! Goodluck!

csweetooth · Apr 22, 2009

thanks this help me too!!

caring438 · Apr 30, 2009

:thankya:Thanks a lot! The tips I received here definitely gave me the confidence during my interview. I am now eagerly awaiting the letter! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks!