Not having answers to interview questions

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I don't know how else to title this really. I have been on two interviews. At each one, there are questions that come up where I just do not have an answer. I just graduated, so no nursing experience other than school/clinicals. I have been asked about making a mistake or error where patient care was affected. I did not have an answer for this. I haven't made an error. In school, they have so many safeguards in place so it is next to impossible to make an error at clinicals. I told the interviewer this. I was also asked about a time where I questioned my decision to become a nurse. Again, this is hard for a new grad to answer. I said something about a time when I had a patient yell and scream at me. Also a time in my life where something affected the quality of patient care that I provided. Ugh, of course I play the whole interview scenario over and over again in my mind and I feel like I am answering these types of questions poorly. I just don't have the experience to draw on to come up with a better answer. Sorry. I guess this was a vent really.

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Specializes in LDRP.

In cases such as this, I think the best strategy in answering these questions is just to be honest. If you never made a med error in nursing school, tell the interviewer this, and then tell him/her what you would have done if you HAD made an error (or what you will do in the future if you make an error). If you have never questioned your decision to become a nurse, then tell the interviewer that. Also, if a question catches you off guard, take a few seconds to think about it before you start answering - better to wait a few seconds and have a well thought out response than to hastily reply with something that you may regret or feel unsure about later.

Rarely have I heard from my fellow new grads that they nailed the job interview(s) they had. It's a nervewracking time, and we are desperately seeking good jobs with a lot riding on getting hired. Some people are better at interviewing than others. Don't waste time ruminating over how poorly you think you might have done in an interview - it's over and done with and continuing to think about it will only add more stress to your life. Plus, you probably did better than you think you did. Keep in mind that with each interview, you will improve and learn how to answer questions better.

Best of luck to you in your job hunt and on future interviews! :nurse:

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Nursing First Job Hunt Assistance.

Good luck!

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I agree with the above posters. I personally hate interviews with a HR Representative. It is a standard generic formatted questionaire they follow, and it accomplishes nothing but aggravating the &*?& out of someone; unfortunately it is something you need to just get through onto the Unit Managers. Later, after a year or so of experience, you will be placed directly with Unit Managers. It has been my experience with the Unit Managers, that you talk in a more direct fashion, about the 'nuts-and-bolts' of the job, and what you can offer them.

HR: "What would your unit manager say about the work you performed on the unit?"

Me: My unit manager's name and phone number are on the application, why don't you just call her! Gees!:no::cheers:

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Thanks for the replies. Actually these interviews were with the hiring managers! I actually felt my HR interview went better. Both times they have used a booklet of questions that they said they are required to ask of everyone. So of course some don't apply when you are a new grad with hardly any experience.

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I hate behavioral interview questions with a passion, I'm an old bat who does much better with the 'old fashioned' unscripted interviews.

I'd write down those questions that stumped you and think back for a good answer, even if a question isn't directly applicable to your situation you should be able to find a situation in your past that can be spun into a good answer.

I'd also google "behavioral interview questions" and start planning your answers to the more common ones. Interviewers who use behavioral questions aren't necessarily looking for the obvious answer, it helps a lot to know what underlying information they are really looking for.

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Sounds like you need to think about how you would handle those situations if they had occurred. Just say "I never had that happen, but if it did this is how I would handle it" They'll just move on to the next question. I read a lot of books on interviewing but the best one I found is the Career Coward's guide to interviews. Lots of questions and strategies to deal with behavioral interview questions.

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Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check out that book. I did try to answer honestly, I did say I never made a med error. I also was asked about a time where something affected me personally and patient care suffered. Ugh I said well that has never really happened but I did talk about how when I precepted on nights while still trying to keep a daytime schedule for class and other clinicals without getting a lot of sleep how I could see that that could affect patient care. Now I'm like why did I say that? I didn't mean that my patient care suffered just that if you didn't adequately prepare for working nights how I could see that that could happen. But I think I was rambling and it all came out wrong. I definitely need some help! If every interviewer asks these types of questions then I am never going to get a job!

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Don't lose hope! I finally got a job in a clinic just this last friday and it took me 11 months! I only had 3 interviews during all that time. Just be open to possibilities other than hospital nursing and use your network. A friend of a friend worked at my new job and I asked her about the internal culture and what they were looking for and used that information to think about how I would answer interview questions for that workplace.

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Don't lose hope! I finally got a job in a clinic just this last friday and it took me 11 months! I only had 3 interviews during all that time. Just be open to possibilities other than hospital nursing and use your network. A friend of a friend worked at my new job and I asked her about the internal culture and what they were looking for and used that information to think about how I would answer interview questions for that workplace.

Actually, right now that is how many new grads. are landing jobs in the hospitals- Knowing people. Many of whom could not get themselves of a paper bag if it were placed over their head. Just because Aunt Susie works on a certain unit, does not guarantee that new nurse Jane is a good choice as candidate. Then, the unit managers wonder why "crap" happens on their units.

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Actually, right now that is how many new grads. are landing jobs in the hospitals- Knowing people. Many of whom could not get themselves of a paper bag if it were placed over their head. Just because Aunt Susie works on a certain unit, does not guarantee that new nurse Jane is a good choice as candidate. Then, the unit managers wonder why "crap" happens on their units.
This is sooo true! I have already seen this happening with people that I graduated with. People who barely passed nursing school, who go out drinking every night and brag about it on fb, they can get a job, but I cannot. I knew all along that when it comes to getting a job that grades don't matter, that it's who you know, but when you actually see that happening it kind of stings.
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Specializes in ICU.

That's what rejections are for ... they give you a chance to practice again and again.

By the time I was on my 6th interview in 6 months I had all the questions covered without hesitation. ;)

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