Old returning nurse, starting interview process

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi to all of you and thank you all for your presence on this board. I read and read and read, and you guys are just so very helpful. I am an old nurse, have been out of nursing for about 10 years. Before that, I worked 4-1/2 years in CCU and previously had worked about 3 in ICU. I went through a messy divorce, became a single mom, and worked at home for the last 10 years in a medical-related field (not nursing though) so that I could make the commute to get my daughter to and from school, activities, etc. (we live in the country). Anyway, I am posting my resumes this week, posted 2 last week, and have my 1st interview Wednesday. I am scared to death, but I want to return to nursing SO badly. I am worried though because obviously my clinical skills need to be updated, as does about everything else. Any advice for the interview? what to wear? etc.? Any help is so appreciated. I am turning this over to bigger hands in prayer, as I feel absolutely sure this is what I need to do with the rest of my life... Bless you all,

Squirl

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Does your local community college have a refresher course? That might be helpful. Also, you might want to get your ACLS certification on your own, which would show the hospitals that you mean business.

Good luck to you. When interviewing, I would stress that you are a "self starter", since you had your own business at home, and a team player. Employers seem to like that. Have answeres ready for the usual questions:

1. "What are your strengths?"

2. "What are your weaknesses?" (No need to get too honest here--make it something benign.)

3. "Tell me about a time when you worked on a team and you didn't agree with how the team wanted to do things. How did you resolve this?"

You could even inquire into new grad programs, saying that you think it would be helpful to review, blah blah blah.

But the key is to spin everything into your maturity, ability to multitask, ingenuity etc. So even if your clinical skills need updating, don't bring that up, instead discuss your ability to deal with adversity, work with families, interface with other disciplines, etc.

Good luck!

Oldie but goodie

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Best of luck to you! I anticipate being in your shoes soon, so I'd love to hear how your journey goes.

First of all, dress professionally. Wear a skirt and blouse or sweater, or a suit. Conservative make-up, nails and jewelry.

Prepare a resume, including your non-nursing activities that show organizational involvement, such as school volunteer, Girl Scout leader, etc. Also list any professional education you have undertaken recently, such as nursing conferences. Prepare a reference list. Bring along a notebook with extra copies of both, and some prepared questions.

Emphasize your ability to learn and your willingness to update your skills, including computer skills. Seek out a unit and shift with a well-established staff. Do not consider any unit with less than 50% experienced staff (2 years or more experience on that unit).

If a refresher course is recommended, and none are available in your area, consider a distance learning course and ask for a commitment from the hospital to allow you to do your clinical portion at that facility.

Steer away from personal information during the interview, such as children's activities, etc.

Keep us posted!

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Thank you all for your advice. I did send out my resume as well as a cover letter initially, so they have those. Question though... I am applying at 4 or 5 facilities and have interviews scheduled over the next 2 weeks. What do I do if they offer me a job before those interviews are completed? Should I just be honest and tell them about the other interviews or what? I know I will be grateful for a job offer, but I also know that I am a good nurse (although a little dumb at the moment) and I want to go where I am supposed to be.. Thank you all again.

Squirl :idea:

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Thank you all for your advice. I did send out my resume as well as a cover letter initially, so they have those. Question though... I am applying at 4 or 5 facilities and have interviews scheduled over the next 2 weeks. What do I do if they offer me a job before those interviews are completed? Should I just be honest and tell them about the other interviews or what? I know I will be grateful for a job offer, but I also know that I am a good nurse (although a little dumb at the moment) and I want to go where I am supposed to be.. Thank you all again.

Squirl :idea:

If you receive an offer before you have investigated all of your possibilities, simply let the recruiter know that you need to have some time to consider it. It is not necessary to tell her that you are waiting on other interviews/offers. She can't hold an offer indefinitely, though, so agree upon a time frame for getting back to her. Then, let the other manager(s) know that you must respond to another offer within a week, so that they are subtly prompted to move things along.

It is far preferable to take a week or so to consider all of your possibilites than to accept an offer only to turn around and decline it, or to start a job and realize that you've made a mistake. You may be "rusty", but your past experience and current motivation and enthusiasm make you valuable. Don't sell yourself short by taking the first thing that comes along for fear that there won't be any other offers :)

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