Phone interview

[happyRN21]

I was just wondering if phone interviews are common or not. Are questions the same for phone interviews and in-person interviews? Do they last the same amount of time?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[NurseFrustrated]

For me, phone interviews have been common. In the job I currently have (which fortunately I am getting ready to leave because I hate it ...but that's another story entirely), I received a call from the hospital a week or so after I had applied online. I thought the call was going to be just to set up an in-person interview but then she started asking me all these job interview questions over the phone. I was in my car driving at the time and was totally unprepared!

She started asking me to explain situations where I had to make an ethical decision on the job and if I have ever had a conflict at work and how I resolved it, etc. I guess I did ok because I got a call back a few days later to set up an in-person interview.

The job I am getting ready to start (thank goodness ) called me a couple of days after I had applied online and the nurse recruiter started phone interviewing me as well. I wasn't really expecting that either and she kind of threw me with questions but fortunately I guess I did ok with that as well because I got a call for an in-person interview about a week later and wound up getting the job. I am looking forward to starting the new job soon and hope to God it's better than the job I have been working.

[thestrella]

NurseFrustrated = Hi. Just want to ask... what kind of questions they ask to you

[NurseFrustrated]

NurseFrustrated = Hi. Just want to ask... what kind of questions they ask to you

Some things I remember them asking me is why I wanted to leave my current position, what I knew about their hospital, why they should hire me, describe an ethical dilemma I had at work, and how did I handle conflict with a co-worker or with staff from other departments. Because I wasn't expecting to be interviewed by phone when I received those calls, I was such a jumble of nerves I can't remember exactly what all they asked me : ) But I'll try to think of some more for you.

[rotteluvr31, ADN, RN]

For local positions I have had a person from HR call me to see if I was a good "fit" for a position prior to setting up an in-person interview with a clinical manager.

Currently, I am interviewing for positions many miles away from where I live, and have had several phone interviews. The formats have been basically the same. I have had several clinical questions, what's the difference between rhonchi and crackles. What tx would you expect to see? What is a normal PR interview, QRS? And for a job at a school, what would I do if a child had a minor injury, what if they had an asthma attack...

All interviews have asked how I deal with conflict. Conflict with co-workers, conflict with pts. How do you deal with a difficult and demanding pt or family member. How do you deal with a difficult co-worker. Also, what has been your best nursing moment. Who is your most memorable pt and why. What pt do you think you were most able to impact positively and why.

Remember to take a nice deep breath and gather your thoughts prior to answering questions. Good luck to you in our search!

[sukha]

I have had two in response to online applications.

1. a nurse recruiter emailed to set up a time, so I was prepared.

2. a unit director called me after I had just parked my car at the grocery store, surprise!

Both took about 40 minutes. I enjoyed both experiences, but I liked the second better, since it was off the cuff. (I got that job)

[btotheg]

from my experience phone interviews are screening interviews to decide if they want you interview you in person. They are more generalized questions that they ask a grip of applicants e.g., why do you want to work here, where do you see yourself in x number of years, what three qualities would you attibute to the best nurses. I would also be prepared for situational questions as well.