CrystalNurse7

@ turnforthenurseRN The CNO asked me behavioral interview type questions like, "If you see another nurse leaving unanswered call lights, speaking roughly with patients, etc. What would you do?" Also, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" The second interviewer was not who I expected. The CNO directed me to another person than the person I initially met. I didn't know her position and later learned she was an HR consultant. She gave me a list of questions she would ask me. More behavioral type questions and none were medical case scenario types. She also asked me basic questions, "What is your definition of professionlism?" & "Describe how you overcame a challenge in your life?" She eventually asked me one (the only medical scenario in our interview), "What would you do if you saw a fellow nurse make a medical error?" During our interview I mentioned a moment when I saw being interviewed by the CNO and she was surprised, like she didn't know about it (which surprised me internally) and then asked me if I had any questions. I had a few questions ready. I was told to wait in the HR waiting room and the lady I was supposed to meet initially she offered me the RN position. =)

Thanks for the link. I interviewed with a lady in HR they offered me a RN position a few minutes afterward! I'm so happy! =)

Thank you both for your input and encouragement. =) They offered me a position! & Of course, I accepted- I want and need the experience. ^^

Hi Everyone- So I just got interviewed by the CNO today for a RN position and I think it went well. Well enough that she then directed me to HR for a second interview with another person there today. They weren't expecting me and made my second interview appointment for tomorrow. What should I expect? I have NO idea what kinds of questions they continue to ask me after the initial interview. The position I am applying for is for a new nurse (Registered Nurse I). Any helpful information would be appreciated! =) Also... From my research online it seems they may be asking me to do a drug calc. test and maybe some medical case scenarios? What if I don't know the answer to one or 2 questions? =/ Please & Thank you!

@elprup - How did it go? Did the refresher course help? Were you able to work out a preceptorship? i am interested in doing a refresher course that offers a clinical experience in a hospital too

Thanks. A couple from my family's church group took our family in until we were able to stand on our own again (now) and now we are able to rent a house. Thanks for the advice Everyone! I'll try my best and continue to look I guess.

Hello Everyone! (sorry if this is long) So I passed the NCLEX-RN in April 2010 (my first try). I got my BSN Diploma August 2009. But I walked for the graduation ceremony May 2008. (I went to a private school >30k/year). In 2008 w/ the economy my dad lost his job, our family lost our house and we couldn't afford to finish paying my tuition = hold on all my records (official/unofficial transcripts + diploma, etc.) Luckily my church and relatives helped us out and long story short, here I am. I haven't had clinical experience (let alone professsional exp.) in 2 years. I live in the Los Angeles County and (w/ the nation in debt, esp. the state of CA) there has been this hiring freeze... most if not all places look for at least 1 year of professional experience and I don't know what to do. The hospital nurse recruiters tell me not to go to home health or clinics... that I should keep trying for smaller hospitals before going to bigger ones because I need that baseline HOSPITAL experience. My goal is to become a CCU nurse... But how can I convince even the smaller hospitals to consider me? Should I take a refresher course that also offers additional clinical experience refresher help? Should I take all the refresher courses possible? IV & Wound courses? Also, does anyone know any quality refresher courses that can help me? I just turned 26 this year. I still want to go to grad school and become a nurse practitioner. I just need that one chance in the hospital to prove that I can and will be a great nurse. (I hope ^_^)

Hello Everyone! (sorry if this is long) So I passed the NCLEX-RN in April 2010 (my first try). I got my BSN Diploma August 2009. But I walked for the graduation ceremony May 2008. (I went to a private school >30k/year). In 2008 w/ the economy my dad lost his job, our family lost our house and we couldn't afford to finish paying my tuition = hold on all my records (official/unofficial transcripts + diploma, etc.) Luckily my church and relatives helped us out and long story short, here I am. I haven't had clinical experience (let alone professsional exp.) in 2 years. I live in the Los Angeles County and (w/ the nation in debt, esp. the state of CA) there has been this hiring freeze... most if not all places look for at least 1 year of professional experience and I don't know what to do. The hospital nurse recruiters tell me not to go to home health or clinics... that I should keep trying for smaller hospitals before going to bigger ones because I need that baseline HOSPITAL experience. My goal is to become a CCU nurse... But how can I convince even the smaller hospitals to consider me? Should I take a refresher course that also offers additional clinical experience refresher help? Should I take all the refresher courses possible? IV & Wound courses? Also, does anyone know any quality refresher courses that can help me? I just turned 26 this year. I still want to go to grad school and become a nurse practitioner. I just need that one chance in the hospital to prove that I can and will be a great nurse. (I hope ^_^)

I was out of nursing school for 1 year and a half. I took 2 NCLEX review courses before taking boards for the first time. 1) Hurst - They do a great job minimizing the memorization needed and helping all the topics flow together and easier to understand. 2)Kaplan - Really helps you in HOW you answer the NCLEX questions. ALSO, Depending on which NCLEX professor you get. I had an AWESOME one. Some don't tho... My Kaplan instructor used to literally RUN the NYC Children's hospital before moving the Los Angeles. Apparently she gave tips other Kaplan professors did not. I took both. Followed their instructions. & when Kaplan says answer 1200+ questions. You answer all of them. Close to my 2 year mark after nursing school I studied for about month of what Hurst and Kaplan taught me and i passed on the first try. You can do it too! =) Good luck!