L&D new grad interview: TIPS/SUPPORT/ADVICE

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Hi All,

I have an L&D new grad interview coming up and I really need help. This is my first interview for my dream position/ unit and I want to make sure I am fully prepared. What are the common questions they ask? Clinical scenarios? What are common medications used? What will make me standout? Any tips/support/advice would be really helpful.

Thanks! :)

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I am but a lowly pre-nursing student, so I do not have any advise for you.

Just wanted to pop on and say good luck! :) Hope it goes great!!

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Specializes in Maternity.

Its tough to stand out as a new grad in such a competitive specialty. I would know since I interviewed for OB and it wasn't even a new grad position so, I was up against experienced RNs. The best advice I can give is be EXTRA prepared. Practice well-thought answers to the preliminary questions like

-Why labor and delivery?

-What are your strengths and weaknesses?

-Why should we hire you?

And then be prepared to speak on a bad experience you have had with a co-worker and how you handled it.

I have been on 5 different interviews and have been asked that every single time!

Good luck! OB is such a wonderful place!!

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

Be prepared to answer scenario questions and know about the hospital. Why do you want to work in OB? Why do you want to work at this hospital? What does great team work look like to you? How do you handle stress? This is a busy unit, what are your strategies to keep yourself organized an prioritize patient care? How do you handle conflict? Name a time you had a conflict, what did you do, what was the outcome? Name a time when you had a miscommunication with a co-worker, teacher, etc....what was the outcome. If you experienced a post partum hemorrhage, what would you do? What does great/safe patient care look like to you? These are just some basic questions now used in interviews. Be ready to call upon different experience where you had to overcome an obstacle and how you did it. Emphasize how you will solve a problem for the department and what assets you bring. Most of all, smile!!! If you need to take a few moments to come up with a scenario to answer a question, it is ok. Always make it sound as if you were beneficial in each instance you are asked about. Be willing to take extra training and go the extra mile to ensure that you become a productive part of the team. Good luck!! Keep us posted.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I haven't read many of the other posts, but i can tell you I've been on two interviews, and like an earlier person, said, they will ask you why ob. I was also asked, why this particular hospital, and of course name a time when you had a difficult patient or family member, what happened and how did you handle it. They of course might ask you, 3 strengths, and weakness... good luck. what area are you from.

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I'm going for an interview too. So I don't know what to expect.. But I'm hoping that it'll be good. :)

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THANK YOU ALL so much for all the tips and kind words of encouragement. I truly appreciate it. I will definitely take everything you all said into consideration. I’m from the Bay Area in CA. I graduated in May 2011 and have been searching for jobs ever since. I really hope I do well. My interview is coming up in a few days.. If there are any more tips anyone has please do share :D

Again, thanks everyone!!

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I'm going for an interview too. So I don't know what to expect.. But I'm hoping that it'll be good. :)

Good luck on your interview :)

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Specializes in L&D.

Goodluck Lovepink02! I agree with what everyone above has mentioned i have had 2 interviews as well and i was asked the same questions listed above! What hospital are you interviewing for? Also keep us updated! =)

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Thanks LT1134RN! Just had my interview earlier this week for a new grad program in UCLA. Overall, I think it went ok. Again, thanks everyone for the tips. I have to wait a whole 2-3 weeks for notification on if I will be moved on for a second round of interviews. It's only been a few days and I'm getting super anxious about it..

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Specializes in L&D.
Thanks LT1134RN! Just had my interview earlier this week for a new grad program in UCLA. Overall, I think it went ok. Again, thanks everyone for the tips. I have to wait a whole 2-3 weeks for notification on if I will be moved on for a second round of interviews. It's only been a few days and I'm getting super anxious about it..

Hi LOVEPINK02,

That's great! I had an interview at UCLA as we'll two weeks ago. I have my second interview this coming week. Which facility did you have your interview in? Ronald Reagan or Santa monica? Again, Goodluck!

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Hi LOVEPINK02,

That's great! I had an interview at UCLA as we'll two weeks ago. I have my second interview this coming week. Which facility did you have your interview in? Ronald Reagan or Santa monica? Again, Goodluck!

I interviewed at Ronald Regan. Good luck on your interview! Sending positive vibes your way :)

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