New RN/Panel Interview

Cuddleswithpuddles · Oct 11, 2011

Hi JMO82,

Congrats on landing the interview!

I have never had a panel interview, or an interview as a RN applicant but in my previous interviews I was asked what are my goals for the future and some patient care scenarios and you have to walk them through how you dealt with it/will deal with it.

I suggest you reheorifice what you want to emphasize about yourself in case you encounter the "Tell me about yourself" question again. Your previous experience definitely needs to be heard. :)

Good luck!

Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2011

JMO82,

Wow! Is this an interview panel or a jury?

I'm amazed by this huge group interview. No wonder nerves butted in. It's hard enought to shine one:one much less eight:one. Good Luck.

Focus on the person that asks the question. What ever happens keep your smile and look the person in the eye, don't jump face to face because it makes you look nervous. After you've answered the question let you gaze wander down the row, but don't react to anyone not smiling at you, by adding fluff. Having an "about me" script ready to go will help melt the ice. A stand by question that usually gets tossed is how do you handle conflict, so be prepared. If someone asks where do you see yourself in 5 years--consider saying right here as one of your trusted colleagues.

JMO82 · Oct 11, 2011

Thank you SO much. I hope that the panel understands that it may be a bit intimidating having that many people in with me. Good response on the 'where do you see yourself in 5 years'. I appreciate the tips!

curiosity123 · Oct 11, 2011

Congrats on the interview! Good for you! You landed an interview in a very tight market and many people are reserving time on their busy schedules to interview you. Therefore, they already believe there is likely something special about you. Go in with the idea that you are going to prove them right!

The first website below offers common nursing interview questions. I agree with the above poster that it is very important that you plan out how you are going to answer questions especially - tell me about yourself - what are your strengths and weakness. See the second web link below - it provides example responses to interview questions. Obviously, you need to make the answers relevant to nursing.

Just like you had to practice to become skilled at nursing, you need to practice your answers to become skilled at responding in an interview. Ask a friend/relative to fire questions at you.

Finally - consider checking out the website of facility you are applying - what is their philosophy of care, what are they proud of - make sure you are knowledgeable so that you can explain why you want to work there.

Good Luck!

http://career.ucsf.edu/nurs/samples/nrninterview.pdf

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm

Cuddleswithpuddles · Oct 12, 2011

Thank you SO much. I hope that the panel understands that it may be a bit intimidating having that many people in with me. Good response on the 'where do you see yourself in 5 years'. I appreciate the tips!

Do you have any specific career goals?

Are you working towards a certification?

Going back to school?

Any specific promotions or titles you can earn at the company you will be interviewing for? If, say, you are a clinical II nurse now and the company has specific requirements on how to advance to clinical III status, I think it will really impress the interviewers that you researched these requirements.

JMO82 · Oct 12, 2011

I would like to pursue a degree as a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner. However, my main goal is to fully establish myself as a floor nurse. I want to emphasize that I am interested in remaining at the facility in which I am applying (provided I get hired) as a Nurse Practitioner as well. The facility has an amazing reputation, one in which I can see myself at for many years to come. I want to make it known that I am not applying for a position in which I wish to remain for just a few short years. Does bringing up advancement in education in future years sound like I will be a promising employee to a team of HR recruiters and nurse managers?

JMO82 · Oct 12, 2011

Thank you again for the advice! I truly appreciate it!

Cuddleswithpuddles · Oct 12, 2011

I would like to pursue a degree as a Doctorate Nurse Practitioner. However, my main goal is to fully establish myself as a floor nurse. I want to emphasize that I am interested in remaining at the facility in which I am applying (provided I get hired) as a Nurse Practitioner as well. The facility has an amazing reputation, one in which I can see myself at for many years to come. I want to make it known that I am not applying for a position in which I wish to remain for just a few short years. Does bringing up advancement in education in future years sound like I will be a promising employee to a team of HR recruiters and nurse managers?

I have never been in a position to interview or hire nurses but I would be very surprised if any recruiter or manager does not look on a candidate with goals like yours with favor. If they do, then this company is probably not the company for you, right?

I think the key is to fully research you career goals and how you see yourself fitting into that facility now and in the future. What steps are you taking towards a DNP? What exactly would you like to do with your DNP? What areas in this facility has DNPs? For example, you could say you want to specialize in a particular disease or population and share that you know Facility XYZ has a department or project dealing with those things.

Like I said, I am sharing not as an expert but I have found that researching the people/organization you are speaking to flatters them as much as it flatters you.

Good luck!