Preparing for RN job search

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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.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

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

Good luck

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Specializes in Neuro.

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 :lol2:... Good luck!

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Wow,

Thanks Gauze for all the possible interview questions.

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