Preparing for RN job search

[jayrun]

Does anyone have any advice or information to pass along when searching for a new grad position? I graduate in December and started calling the HR contacts today who passed along their cards when I was working my clinicals in their hospitals. I wanted to remind them of who I was! I am also starting a new grad resume (but...not sure what to put in it-this is a second career for me). Is they anything else I can do. I am located in Los Angeles, I know there are still new grads finding jobs, but they are hiring fewer new grads. How many hospitals should I apply for and what jobs outside of hospitals can I apply for?

What are some interview questions that I may be asked? What questions should I ask? Any information, advice or what some of you have experienced would be helpful.

Thank you.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the graduate forum where someone will be more able to assist

Good luck

[Gauze, BSN, RN]

You are most likely going to be asked:

Why do you want to be a nurse? (most definitely)

Why do you want to work on this unit/hospital? (most definitely)

How do you handle conflict?

What are you strengths and weaknesses?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

What was your favorite/least favorite course in nursing school?

Tell how about a time you took initiative.

You may be asked specific pt situations as well:

A time you hurt/made an error with a pt.

When you bent the rules for a pt and/or family

When you saw a staff member doing something wrong/illegal in the workplace and what you did about it.

How will you cope with terminally ill pts and their families?

Describe how you prepared to see a pt for the first time - a specific situation.

(Just remember to add a positive statement from anything negative... ex: if you made an error, what you learned from it)

Questions you may ask:

Pt-nurse ratio?

What qualities are you looking for in a (insert unit here) nurse?

What is the biggest problem faced by this unit?

Do nurses float to other units?

Will I have one preceptor or different ones?

How long is orientation? Will I be able to extend it if I feel that I am not ready?

How do you assess the performance of nurses?

Should I get any certifications (ACLS, PALS) before starting?

Personally, I was only asked the first 2 questions on this list for my job, but it is always better to be prepared!

Remember to shake your interviewer's hand, keep eye contact during the interview, and to smile ... Good luck!

[jayrun]

Wow,

Thanks Gauze for all the possible interview questions.