Nursing Panel Interview Tomorrow

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The hospitals around me require new graduates to complete new RN programs before joining a regular unit full time. Most all hospitals have already done their hiring and I was not called to interview. Well last week I got a call that my preferred area was going to be opening 1-2 more new graduate positions and they wanted to me to interview! I just got the results that I passed my NCLEX Friday! Yay! So because of preparing for the NCLEX and stressing over finding out if I passed I have had a hard time focusing on the interview. I was not able to interview another day because HR said they will be making a decision the day of interviews! I was told it will be panel style with 4-5 people on the panel and only last 20-30 minutes. I am not sure how many others will be interviewing. I do know one person who will be on the panel because she was affiliated with my school during my first year of nursing school so I am hoping that seeing a familiar face will help ease some of my tension.

Are there any tips any one can give? As embarrassing as it is I have never had a "real" interview and I am quite nervous!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Dress professionally. This means a suit in a conservative color, flat to low heels, hair neatly styled, neutral toned makeup and nails, no perfume, earrings in ears and nowhere else, hide tattoos, and be clean!

Bring copies of your resume, CPR card, and you can print out your license information from your state BON's website.

Arrive 1/2 hours before interview is scheduled to begin.

Research the hospital ahead of time. Know the history, mission, awards, and so forth.

Research common interview questions and think of answers ahead of time. Be prepared to talk about your nursing school experiences, reason for choosing nursing as a career, short and long term goals, why you want to work for that particular institution, and what you would do if...?

Think of a few questions to ask the employer, such as nurse to patient ratios, types of patients seen on the unit, what they enjoy about the hospital/unit, skill mix (amount of experience vs less experienced nurses), and details of the orientation program. Don't ask about the pay or specific details of the schedule. When asking about the schedule if they don't bring it up, be very general. "What can you tell me about the schedule."

Be yourself, while keeping your professional image. Shake hands and look in the speakers' eyes. If you want to think about a question before giving an answer you can say "Can I think about that one for a couple minutes and get back to you?"

Be aware that interviewers cannot legally ask about your marital/single status, family issues, health status, availability related to domestic concerns (kids), if you have kids/or are planning to have kids, or religion.

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Dress professionally. This means a suit in a conservative color, flat to low heels, hair neatly styled, neutral toned makeup and nails, no perfume, earrings in ears and nowhere else, hide tattoos, and be clean!

Bring copies of your resume, CPR card, and you can print out your license information from your state BON's website.

Arrive 1/2 hours before interview is scheduled to begin.

Research the hospital ahead of time. Know the history, mission, awards, and so forth.

Research common interview questions and think of answers ahead of time. Be prepared to talk about your nursing school experiences, reason for choosing nursing as a career, short and long term goals, why you want to work for that particular institution, and what you would do if...?

Think of a few questions to ask the employer, such as nurse to patient ratios, types of patients seen on the unit, what they enjoy about the hospital/unit, skill mix (amount of experience vs less experienced nurses), and details of the orientation program. Don't ask about the pay or specific details of the schedule. When asking about the schedule if they don't bring it up, be very general. "What can you tell me about the schedule."

Be yourself, while keeping your professional image. Shake hands and look in the speakers' eyes. If you want to think about a question before giving an answer you can say "Can I think about that one for a couple minutes and get back to you?"

Be aware that interviewers cannot legally ask about your marital/single status, family issues, health status, availability related to domestic concerns (kids), if you have kids/or are planning to have kids, or religion.

yes yes yes. Perfect advice. I agree.

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I got the job!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Congrats! :up:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I got the job!

Good for you!

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