Help! Interview Questions

iggywench, BSN, RN · May 16, 2018

They will possibly ask you about how to deal with parents who don't want to pick their students up, and how to find local resources for students who need glasses, dental care, medical care, etc. Be familiar with screenings required at the grade levels at that school, as well as immunization requirements, and what to do if a student doesn't have the required immunizations.

Amethya · May 16, 2018

This how I landed this job, basically I searched the most common questions there's in an interview. Then I searched up answers and then tweaked them to my advantage.

Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 16, 2018

I could just be riding in the tail end of the slinky but...do employers give interview questions to applicants in advance nowadays?

I was curious about this myself.

J-lynn · May 16, 2018

My approach to the interview questions might have been unconventional but I recently got a school nurse job and will tell you about my preparation and the interview.

I had been working for the past 6 years as a sub nurse in a deaf and blind school. I am orienting in the public schools and although there are a few similarities, the scope and depth of what I will be doing in public school is much different and more challenging. I went to the interview with the thought that I didn't want a job that wasn't right for me or that I could not handle. So I determined not to over prepare.

I did worry about the "what is my weakness" question. Organization is not my strength. It takes time and thought for me and does not come naturally. But they did not ask that question. They asked what did I think the challenges of this new job would be. I immediately said volume. We have a much smaller population at my former school and everything is much, much slower paced. I also said that learning the expectations in a new environment would be a challenge.

I also was absolutely honest about my weak areas and where I would need a lot of training. I have never been involved in the 504 process. I have never worked with type 1 diabetics. I said I felt certain that with a good orientation I could be good at these things. The administrator in the room looked a little taken aback, but the lead nurse was completely comfortable with needing to train me. She later told me almost no one comes to the district with type 1 diabetic experience unless they are a former school nurse.

So I told them that I knew there would be challenges but that challenges are good! And I am SERIOUSLY preparing in that regard. School Nursing is a HUGE responsibility. I wanted to know I'd have support when I worked. I was assured that would happen. Our lead nurse encourages asking her questions so that our students are well taken care of. Her philosophy is that nurses are used to having other nurses to run things by.

There were several things I felt deficient in but I was completely honest about it. I could also see though that my answers resonated with my lead nurse. She values honesty, compassion and hard work. I now know she absolutely hates for people to act like they know something that they don't. It's dangerous for patient care. So I think she appreciated my answers. I think mostly they wanted someone who will be good with the kids and get along with others. They can train you on the rest.

I will let others with more experience answer the other questions. I know what I would say to most of them but that would be as someone without a lot of experience answering. Though I think something brief and common sense would be what I would say...ie I would report anything that I thought would endanger students to the principal.

As for why you are an asset...this is a chance to talk about your strengths. I said I am compassionate, caring and committed. I was very brief with all my answers. My thinking was that I didn't want a job that wasn't right for me so be completely honest and let them determine if you are right. Sincerity comes across...so does being fake. So my thought is be yourself and let them determine if you are a good match.

My faith seriously entered in as well. I believed that if it was right for me, I would get it. If I didn't it was because it wasn't a good match and there was something better for me elsewhere. I believe there is always a reason. So not over preparing and that belief kept me at peace about the process.

I hope this helps in some way! Good luck and I am sure you'll do great!!

cjl_RN, BSN · May 17, 2018

My approach to the interview questions might have been unconventional but I recently got a school nurse job and will tell you about my preparation and the interview.
I had been working for the past 6 years as a sub nurse in a deaf and blind school. I am orienting in the public schools and although there are a few similarities, the scope and depth of what I will be doing in public school is much different and more challenging. I went to the interview with the thought that I didn't want a job that wasn't right for me or that I could not handle. So I determined not to over prepare.
I did worry about the "what is my weakness" question. Organization is not my strength. It takes time and thought for me and does not come naturally. But they did not ask that question. They asked what did I think the challenges of this new job would be. I immediately said volume. We have a much smaller population at my former school and everything is much, much slower paced. I also said that learning the expectations in a new environment would be a challenge.
I also was absolutely honest about my weak areas and where I would need a lot of training. I have never been involved in the 504 process. I have never worked with type 1 diabetics. I said I felt certain that with a good orientation I could be good at these things. The administrator in the room looked a little taken aback, but the lead nurse was completely comfortable with needing to train me. She later told me almost no one comes to the district with type 1 diabetic experience unless they are a former school nurse.
So I told them that I knew there would be challenges but that challenges are good! And I am SERIOUSLY preparing in that regard. School Nursing is a HUGE responsibility. I wanted to know I'd have support when I worked. I was assured that would happen. Our lead nurse encourages asking her questions so that our students are well taken care of. Her philosophy is that nurses are used to having other nurses to run things by.
There were several things I felt deficient in but I was completely honest about it. I could also see though that my answers resonated with my lead nurse. She values honesty, compassion and hard work. I now know she absolutely hates for people to act like they know something that they don't. It's dangerous for patient care. So I think she appreciated my answers. I think mostly they wanted someone who will be good with the kids and get along with others. They can train you on the rest.
I will let others with more experience answer the other questions. I know what I would say to most of them but that would be as someone without a lot of experience answering. Though I think something brief and common sense would be what I would say...ie I would report anything that I thought would endanger students to the principal.
As for why you are an asset...this is a chance to talk about your strengths. I said I am compassionate, caring and committed. I was very brief with all my answers. My thinking was that I didn't want a job that wasn't right for me so be completely honest and let them determine if you are right. Sincerity comes across...so does being fake. So my thought is be yourself and let them determine if you are a good match.
My faith seriously entered in as well. I believed that if it was right for me, I would get it. If I didn't it was because it wasn't a good match and there was something better for me elsewhere. I believe there is always a reason. So not over preparing and that belief kept me at peace about the process.
I hope this helps in some way! Good luck and I am sure you'll do great!!

Thank you I really appreciate the positive

Response!

cjl_RN, BSN · May 17, 2018

Do you want to take a stab at answering these first, and we'll help refine the answers?

I really appreciate everyone's response and it's what I needed to hear. I like to prepare a lot some

Times to much, but I have prepared like 40 tough questions they may ask me. I have thoroughly though through my answers and done some research. I feel

Like an employee would rather know my raw self than a person that is not me that's basically made up. My interview is in 5 days. I will post some of the tough questions they ask me with my answers so you guys Can tell me how ya think I did. I will also let you know if I was offered the position. As of two weeks ago there was 10 nurses interviewing for the job. I am keeping my answers private right now bc A) I don't want to loose confidence in my answers 2.) refer back to #1 then I'd have to think about more answers. Thanks again everyone for the responses.

cjl_RN, BSN · May 22, 2018

Today is my interview and I am so nervous! I feel sick. Their interviewing everyone that applied which as of 2 weeks ago it was 10. I'm such a shy person and hate the attention. I have to on top of it interview with 2 people at the same time both of which can be very intimidating. Guys I hope I get to

Join you as a full-time school nurse!

Medic_Murse, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 22, 2018

Today is my interview and I am so nervous! I feel sick. Their interviewing everyone that applied which as of 2 weeks ago it was 10. I'm such a shy person and hate the attention. I have to on top of it interview with 2 people at the same time both of which can be very intimidating. Guys I hope I get to
Join you as a full-time school nurse!

Ha! Anyone that knows me, knows I hate talking. My interview was to be with one person, which it was, but then the entire staff was brought in. Let me tell ya, you think you can't sweat through a suit? It was like Flash Dance!

With that said, the questions are pretty standard and nothing personal, that is a HR no no. So, just be yourself, have confidence in your answers, be sure that when you answer, you answer to both of them, not just one person, or looking at the corner of the ceiling (as I often catch myself doing).

You'll do fine, but gotta have confidence in yourself and psych yourself up! Go out and deck someone in the parking lot to get the blood flowing!!!! NO! WAIT!!! DON'T DO THAT....bad idea...very bad.

cjl_RN, BSN · May 22, 2018

You'll do fine, but gotta have confidence in yourself and psych yourself up! Go out and deck someone in the parking lot to get the blood flowing!!!! NO! WAIT!!! DON'T DO THAT....bad idea...very bad.

I had the interview today. I'm indifferent about it. At first it was rocky I could hear my voice shaking. Towards middle and the end i was more comfortable. They actually made the interview very lax I was one of the more uptight ones (had interviewed before for this position few years ago obviously didn't get it) and it was very different it was more formal and very difficult questions. However, they are interviewing at least ten nurses. I seen 3 before me on the sign in sheet. My husband thinks i will have a better chance over other nurses because I have subbed for the district since February and they have not. I don't think this will play a major factor in their decision-making. Everyone telling me to chill out if it's meant to be you'll get it and if not you won't and they'll be more opportunities. I want this job so bad though when I subbed I loved it. But I will not know for another two weeks at least. They interviewed all of today and then are doing it one day next week then taking a week to make their decision. I will post ASAP when I know!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 23, 2018

My husband thinks i will have a better chance over other nurses because I have subbed for the district since February and they have not.

You may be right! They know you and you kind of know how things work. Plus...you've obviously done research!

Here's the thing - in my district the principal ultimately picks the school nurse. The principal who originally hired me interviewed five other people before me. If this one doesn't work out, don't give up.

pedi_nurse · May 23, 2018

Glad the interview went okay! I agree with ruby - don't give up! If this one doesn't work out, there is almost always a possibility for more opportunities. For my first school nurse position I was interviewed and hired just 2 weeks before school started!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · May 23, 2018

Glad the interview went okay! I agree with ruby - don't give up! If this one doesn't work out, there is almost always a possibility for more opportunities. For my first school nurse position I was interviewed and hired just 2 weeks before school started!

That reminded me....magically in July there will be a bunch of new nurse positions available. Hang in there.