New Grad RN Interview...Advice?

[countrygurl89]

I recently graduated from a BSN program in December and will be taking my boards February 6th. I have an interview Friday at a smaller (162 beds) Level 3 trauma center local hospital where I submitted several applications (for ER, Tele/ICU, Medical and Surgical units). These were all listed as .7 or .8 FTE (56 or 64 hours). I have heard many great things about this facility from past patients and staff and am excited to have an interview there. When the HR recruiter called me to schedule the interview, she said it would mainly be for the opening in their ER I applied for but there would also be directors from a few other units there also. Basically she made it sound like I am interviewing for several different units at once. Just wondering what I should expect as I have never had this type of interview before. Also what are some good questions I should ask? I am an external applicant and have never been to this facility before besides a few hours in their ER with my fiancé last December (2012). Thanks!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

You are a new grad, so probably don't have a lot to offer in the way of experience. Be prepared to answer a few clinical questions, questions on describing a challenging personality and how you dealt with it, your most fulfilling accomplishment, etc. Draw from your clinicals if you didn't work as a CNA during school.

The most important thing to show is that you are eager to learn, that you understand you NEED to learn (don't be a know-it-all....probably one of the few interviews in the world in which you don't want to seem as if you think you know everything), that you LOVE LOVE LOVE nursing and that you are likable and confident in your ability to learn and get along. Smile, laugh, be a personality others will want to be around. They are mostly looking for a good fit. They want to know you will be safe, that you show up on time, that you don't call in a lot, that you get along with people, that you aren't timid and that you will fit in with the group already in place. Dress professionally. Skip the perfume/cologne. Be humble but excited. Share your passion.

Good luck!