2nd Student Nurse going for dream job interview: HELP!

[rachelgeorgina]

This post doesn't quite fit the theme of student nursing in this particular forum and perhaps might be more sorted to the CNA/Assistants forum, however I am a student nurse and people tend to choose to employ me with that strength in mind. I'm hoping to harness the genius of the community here, so help me out if you can!

For the record, I'm a second year nursing student in Australia. I've just begun work as an AIN (I think that's the equivalent to a tech or a CNA in the USA?) on the casual pool in a high acuity residential aged care facility. The residents are a split of "frail/aged" and those with dementia. I had my first independent shift and full patient load last week and though I was a little bit slower than the rest of the staff, I managed to get all my residents up, showered/bathed, dressed, fed and un-fallen over in amongst all the other bits and pieces like having a conversation with residents and their families, or, the other day, I took one very upset, agitated new admit for a walk in the garden. It's an amazing job & I am so, so grateful for the opportunity to learn, gain experience and consolidate my skills.

However, my heart lies in paediatrics. I hope to complete my new graduate year at one of the two major tertiary referral paediatric hospitals in Sydney, where I live. It's been my dream for years & one of the driving forces of my desire to nurse. I just never figured I get the opportunity to work with kids in a clinical setting until I was graduated and registered.

& yesterday, I had an email sitting in my inbox from the NUM of Bear Cottage, the only children's hospice in the state, offering me the chance to interview for an AIN position. Bear Cottage attached to one of the aforementioned major children's hospitals and a HUGE opportunity. This job is like a foot in the door, a step closer to achieving my dreams. & I want to give the very best presentation in the interview possible, which is where you guys come in (I hope!)

To be honest I'm not 100% sure what is expected of me in the interview or how to present myself as the best possible candidate. I was hoping that the collective wisdom of the community might have some ideas on how to best achieve the impression I'm aiming for in the interview.

- What should I know?

- What should I tell them?

- What questions should I ask?

- What might they expect of me?

- How can I be beneficial to Bear Cottage?

[i[What have I left out?[/i]

This job really is my absolute dream. I've been researching and reading up on paediatric palliative care and the new concept of children's hospices (like Bear Cottage). I've taken particular note of the major disease presentations, interventions employed for quality care/end of life care (play & diversion therapies etc), the importance of supporting the entire family (parents, siblings etc) but I'm really stuck at how I as an AIN, can make a difference at Bear Cottage.

Please, please - if you have any sort of contribution, I'm 100% open to it. I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks so much!

[rachelgeorgina]

*bump*

[newbie12]

Hey rachelgeorgina, not sure if you still go on the forum, but I'm just curious if you got the position, and how you did following the completion of your RNs? My heart lies in paediatrics as well, I'm currently in my 3rd year and can't choose between the 2 hospitals for my application!

[newbie12]

Sorry, this was a double post.

[AOx1]

Old thread, but this guide may help someone in a similar situation. http://nursing.jhu.edu/life_at_hopkins/student_resources/center/documents/interview_guide.pdf