Is this interview question illegal?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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Hello!

I recently had an interview for an internship position at a local hospital in their NICU. It is advertised as being an education opportunity while one is in school that can be a pathway into being hired at the hospital after graduation. However no job after graduation is guaranteed. In the interview everything went great, then the interviewer asked me if I was planning on staying in the regional area after graduation. She said that it was not a plus or minus, she was just curious. So I was honest with her that I was applying to several different hospitals for permanent jobs and to try and get a job in a PICU. I think staying in the local area for sure may have been a bigger deal to them.

My mom was thinking that this interview question may have been illegal. My main question is do you have advice for new grad interviews and more specifically do you know of any commonly asked questions that employers may try to ask that are actually illegal?

Thank you so much and have a lovely day.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It is not illegal to ask general questions about your future plans, availability, and long-term intentions in a neutral way. 

Your interviewer was concerned you could be a flight risk. Hospitals do not wish to invest in candidates who intend to leave. Internships are highly competitive and offer a chance to make a good impression and an opportunity to secure a position with a potential employer.

Preparing for job interviews is more crucial than uncovering potentially illegal interview questions. Enhancing your interview skills is vital. A suitable answer (if truthful) may have been something like, "I have no intentions of relocating." An even stronger reply would be, "My nieces are here, and I love being near my family," or "My partner lives here."

Here's an important mindset: to secure a job, you must showcase yourself as the solution to the employer's challenges. A couple of examples-Is their issue high turnover? Position yourself as a reliable candidate committed to staying in the area. Do they serve a significant Spanish-speaking community, and are you bilingual? Make sure to highlight that.

I highly suggest reading How to Land Your First Nursing Job, where I provide numerous tips on resumes, interviews, cover letters, application software, and more to help you secure a job in a competitive market.

What to Keep in Mind for New Grad Interviews

  • Do your research. Know the job description, mission statement, service lines, and how you fit with the organization. Managers hire nurses who are a good fit. Have specific examples ready to showcase your skills, commitment, and readiness to learn.
  • Know your rights. You're not required to answer questions about age, marital status, religion, family life, etc. You can politely steer the conversation back to your qualifications if something feels uncomfortable or inappropriate.
  • Frame your answers carefully. Since you mentioned applying to other hospitals and being open to alternatives, frame them in a way that aligns with the position. You can acknowledge your openness to opportunities elsewhere and also express enthusiasm for the internship and the hospital's mission.
  • Ask questions. Show genuine interest in the position by asking questions about the NICU team, the learning opportunities, and how success is measured during the internship. This shows you are interested in the role long-term, even if you're exploring other possibilities.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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