New Grad Interview Help!

DEckert · Aug 28, 2012

First of all congratulations! I had apps all over the State of Ca and only had one hospital interview. So, I can only tell you the questions I've been asked, and also from what I found researching via google and books.

The dreaded "tell me about yourself."

What do you have to offer our facility.

Why did you become an RN.

DEckert · Aug 28, 2012

First of all congratulations! I've had apps all over the State of Ca and only had one hospital interview. So, I can only tell you the questions I've been asked during that interview and other interviews for RN positions, and also from what I found researching google and books.

The dreaded "tell me about yourself."

What do you have to offer our facility?

Why did you become an RN?

What are your short and long term goals?

Do you work best in a team environment or independently? RN's need to be both, but work well as a team.

Can you give a scenario where you made a difference in your clinical studies?

How do you handle conflict. Can you give a scenario? Be professional and focus on the issue, not blame.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on your strengths, and turn around your weaknesses into a positive.

Each unit member may ask how you would deal with a patient-care issue from their unit. When I couldn't give a good answer, I would later ask for the right response. This way you learn something too, and when I got the position the interviewer would positively comment on my question.

Something in your resume and cover letter made you stand out, try to pinpoint that and work it!!

Again, best of luck!

DEckert · Aug 28, 2012

First of all congratulations! I've had apps all over the State of Ca and only had one hospital interview. So, I can only tell you the questions I've been asked during that interview and other interviews for RN positions, and also from what I found researching google and books.
The dreaded "tell me about yourself."
What do you have to offer our facility?
Why did you become an RN?
What are your short and long term goals?
Do you work best in a team environment or independently? RN's need to be both, but work well as a team.
Can you give a scenario where you made a difference in your clinical studies?
How do you handle conflict. Can you give a scenario? Be professional and focus on the issue, not blame.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? Focus on your strengths, and turn around your weaknesses into a positive.
Each unit member may ask how you would deal with a patient-care issue from their unit. When I couldn't give a good answer, I would later ask for the right response. This way you learn something too, and when I got the position the interviewer would positively comment on my question.
Something in your resume and cover letter made you stand out, try to pinpoint that and work it!!
Again, best of luck![
Sorry about the double posting, I'm still a little new to this.

NurseTamTam95 · Sep 2, 2012

I just received a call from a hospital that they would like to set up an interview but i found out that instead of having an interview with one manager it is a group interview with a bunch of managers from different units. I have never been through anything like this and am not sure how to prepare, what to expect, what possible questions could be asked and what are the best answers for them. I would really appreciate the help I dont want to screw this up this is the first call i have received in 6 months since i have graduated. Please Help

I had an interview like that once. It was not as bad as you would think. Be able to answer questions that they may have about your resume. They will surely ask what you have been doing since you made boards. My advice to you, should this interview not go well, is to apply for prn or part-time positions. This way you will have something to put on your resume. Volunteer with your local school nurse. Experience does not always have to be a paid position. If you do this and do some prn or part-time work; it will look really good.

JailRN · Sep 2, 2012

Congrats! Just breathe, pause and think before you answer. Find out about the facility and what they offer to pts before you go. You'll be fine. Let us know!

jaybird6501 · Sep 2, 2012

If you are asked a scenario question and do not know the answer tell them and f/u with you will find the right person that knows the answer. I learned never ever say I dont know....it's always "let me find out".....as a new nurse I was very honest and upfront about being green, but made sure they knew I was willing to learn anything within my scope....good luck!!

nettiern2012 · Sep 2, 2012

Congrats on your interview! I am also a new grad and recently had an interview very similar to the one you are describing. I recommend to be prepared to answer situational and behavioural questions. Be prepared to give specific examples. Some that they may ask may be about conflict, ethics, cultural sensitivity, customer dissatisfaction, a time when you made a difference, a time when you knew you did a good job as a (student) nurse, strengths and weaknesses, why nursing, area of interest and why. Take time to prepare and your answers and if possible do a mock interview with a friend to get the jitters out. Don't stress! Think of it as a meeting instead of an interview and be prepared to ask your own questions.

Good Luck!! :w00t:

JMBnurse · Sep 2, 2012

If you are asked a question from an examiner while you are working, such as with Joint Commission, it is acceptable to say that you are not sure of the answer, but you know where to find it and show them. When you are in a job interview, you get one shot. I don't think it's a good idea in an interview to say, "I don't know, I'll get back with you on that." I wouldn't answer any question in a job interview with I don't know or I'm not sure. Most of the questions you will be asked in an interview are not direct questions with a right or wrong answer. They are more subjective and they are trying to figure out how you will handle yourself as an employee. They want to know how confident you are and how you deal with other people. Very often they ask questions that start out, "Tell me about a time when you......". I always tried to answer those types of questions with an answer that would showcase my strengths. An example would be, "Tell me about a time when you had an altercation with a co-worker, supervisor, patient, family member, etc., and they were upset and how did you handle it?" I always had some stories in my mind before I went into interviews that demonstrated how wonderfully I handled myself and also tried to work this in: "I find that when someone is upset or angry if I listen to them, acknowledge their frustration and give them a chance to express their feelings, they will usually calm down quickly and usually apologize later for getting upset. I find that most of the time, people just want to be heard". The next question is usually, "How soon can you start?" Incidentally, I have been asked that question about dealing with someone who is upset in the last 3 interviews I've had. Another typical question involves how you handle yourself if you have a disagreement with a coworker and do you go to the supervisor to settle the disagreement? Once again, this is subjective, so there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, but I always answer that one with, "I try to work things out with the person directly and only after all attempts to solve it without their involvement, will I take it to the supervisor." They seem to like this answer as they don't want to hire people who are going to come to them with every little problem to settle. They want to hire professional adults.

Show them through your responses that you are responsible, professional and rational with good common sense. Sell yourself! Good luck!

ChattylillRN · Sep 2, 2012

There is loads of help on Youtube! Look up nursing interview or just interview. I highly recommend Career Confidential! They gave me loads of help to field those interview questions! I went on 2 interviews and offered both positions! Practice, practice, practice the suggestions till the answers come out naturally! Good luck! You got this!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2012

thread moved for increase exposure...:)