New Grad with Peer Interview butterflies...

[Busymom2day, ADN]

Hi everyone. I have been a member on here for a while and have all nurses to be very helpful and informative. I don't post alot but I have greatly enjoyed reading and learning from my fellow nurses.

I just found out that I PASSED the NCLEX-RN last week on my first attempt!! I also had my first ever interview a couple of weeks ago for a full time night position on a Med/Surg floor. I think it went really well and I was surprisingly relaxed throughout the interview. I got a call back for a "peer interview" which is scheduled for tomorrow. I was wondering what exactly I can expect from this interview? I have prepared and went over a lot of anticipated general interview questions but still really nervous. Have you guys had a lot of experience with scenario type questions? I'm just really nervous that as a new grad that I won't know the answer and if I'm up against some experienced nurses that it is going to hurt me. Do they take this into consideration when interviewing new grads? What are their expectations? Does anyone have any pointers or experience with peer interviews? The nurse manager said that it would be a charge nurse a staff nurse and herself. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

My new grad peer interview consisted of mostly "Miss America" types of questions. It was really silly. The nurses who conducted it were pulled from the floor during a busy day shift and were ready to get back to work the second they walked in.

I'm under the impression these interviews are done to make your peers less likely to "run you off" sine they helped to choose you.

Good Luck!

[RRWilson,RN]

The peer interview I had consisted of two situation questions and several questions about myself. Make sure you write down three questions to ask them. Such as describe your manager in three words, what are some rewarding aspects working with this hospital, and ask about teamwork. If you see me drowning in work, will you offer to help or just watch me sink further and further behind.

[Busymom2day, ADN]

Thanks so much for the pointers. I had my interview today and WOW! It was tough! It consisted of two charge nurses and a nurse from the MedSurg floor. The interview took about an hour and fifteen minutes and the questions were pretty tough i thought. They were a lot of describe a time when...scenarios. A lot of the scenarios were things that I hadn't really experienced but I just pulled from some experiences and gave them the best answer I could. They ended with 3 or 4 patient scenarios that I thought were kind of tough, since I have never actually practiced on my own as a nurse. I gave them the best I could and they seemed pleased with my answers. They told me that the manager would be making a decision and sending out offers tomorrow! I think I felt pretty good up until I noticed that they each had a stack of about 7 resume packets of other people under mine that they were going to interview or go through as well. Seeing that stack really hit home that I'm going to have to give this interview my best shot and it really really made me nervous. I kept my cool as much as I could and had a little breakdown from the build up of nerves in the car on the way home. All I can do now is relax and say lots of prayers!

[IamRN4Life]

Busymom2day

I pray you get the job!! Don't feel bad this was your first interview. Just learn from it- but like me if this is what you want claim it and its your!!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Thanks so much for the pointers. I had my interview today and WOW! It was tough! It consisted of two charge nurses and a nurse from the MedSurg floor. The interview took about an hour and fifteen minutes and the questions were pretty tough i thought. They were a lot of describe a time when...scenarios. A lot of the scenarios were things that I hadn't really experienced but I just pulled from some experiences and gave them the best answer I could. They ended with 3 or 4 patient scenarios that I thought were kind of tough, since I have never actually practiced on my own as a nurse. I gave them the best I could and they seemed pleased with my answers. They told me that the manager would be making a decision and sending out offers tomorrow! I think I felt pretty good up until I noticed that they each had a stack of about 7 resume packets of other people under mine that they were going to interview or go through as well. Seeing that stack really hit home that I'm going to have to give this interview my best shot and it really really made me nervous. I kept my cool as much as I could and had a little breakdown from the build up of nerves in the car on the way home. All I can do now is relax and say lots of prayers!

Wow. Mine was questions like, "If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?" What you're describing sounds like the interview for my second job for a position that required experience. Good luck! I hope you get the job :)