Stuttering + interview???

[nurseypoo87]

Hey everyone,

Well, I'm a new grad. I've been applying and trying to stay positive for a couple months now. Received a few Summer camp calls but I've finally received a position at a local teaching hospital here. I've been there previously for a few clinical rotations. The position is NRT (nursing resource team)... I'm just really thankful for this opportunity... since it feels like a long time coming.

I stutter... I have been stuttering my whole life. It comes and it goes (stress induced). There are times when my speech is so fluent it even scares me... and then there are times when it's not so great.

I did my pre-grad rotation in the ER... yeah I stuttered sometimes but I don't think it was that noticeable...

I'm trying my hardest to not let this hold me back from anything but my nerves are definitely increased due to my stutter.

How should I go about telling the interviewer(s)?

I don't want them to think I'm not capable of doing the position because of my stutter. It hasn't come in the way before... but I know when I'm nervous (aka during an interview)... sometimes my speech can be pretty bad

just any advice or words of encouragement... my cortisol levels are through the roof!

( I remember having one nursing clinical tutor WAY back who addressed my stutter... almost made me second guess nursing as a career... ... then I had clinical tutors who never noticed it... I just really hope this works out)

Guess all I can do is.. pray, think positive and smile.

[Jolie, BSN]

As a former nurse manager and current business owner who interviews and hires on a regular basis, I would like to offer you some suggestions.

First of all, there is nothing wrong with being honest with an interviewer. We appreciate it.

When you introduce yourself, simply say how pleased you are to meet and to have been selected for an interview, but that you are a bit nervous, which may cause you to stutter a bit. When asked a question, say that you need a moment to gather your thoughts. Formulate an answer in your mind, then go with it. If you can't come up with an answer right away, say so. Ask to come back to that question later. I'd rather that a candidate give me an honest answer than spout off some BS that makes me wonder about them.

Dress professionally. Wear minimal jewelry, make-up, nail polish and sensible shoes. Arrive early. Come prepared with a resume and reference list or letters. Have dates of school and work and names of supervisors written down so that you can complete an application on-site, if asked to do so.

Ask for a business card or at least clarify the spelling of the name of the person who interviews you and their contact information.

Afterward, send a prompt e-mail thanking that person and re-iterating your interest.

We all have imperfections. They need not stand in the way of our employment if we learn to own them, minimize them and highlight our strengths. Every candidate has some weakness, so you really are on equal footing with the others.

Finally, practice, practice, practice. In the mirror, with a friend, or to your dog. You will gain comfort and confidence. Good luck!

[Jennybird]

I would simply just focus on the interview itself, on your responses, building confidence in what you say, etc. I think this will in general help you to feel less stressed and likely will reduce your likelihood of stuttering. I do think it's a good idea just to be real and explain briefly that it might happen--and if it does, then it does, just try not to beat yourself up about it and just push through the interview. I would hope anyone interviewing you would know that stuttering is simply stuttering, a condition, not a reflection of your intelligence or competence!

[buster4]

I completely understand, because I stutter as well....... my 6th grade teacher influenced me so much, he told me never let my speech stand in the way of me doing something.. and i have lived by that........ I have been lucky in school, all of my instructors have always been so great and supportive. Your instructor should be ashamed of him or herself.. for treating you that way.......

I like you, have fluent periods and then times where I can barely put two words together...... during interviews I have been lucky and have "pushed through and tried to put myself in the best light".. I have never outright said up front that I stutter, I can hide it well SOMETIMES, but I have always been very good at my job....... and do my best....... but they eventually figure it out.. lol it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out...... but I go on...... So keep your chin up and keep going and don't let it stop you from anything!!!

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

As someone once told me, turn a negative into a positive. Like others have said, be honest and upfront and that will take a lot of the stress off of you. I too get anxiety and in stressful situations I either freeze and can't think of what to say, or I stutter a bit trying to get my words out and even forget what I'm talking about because my mind is going crazy with the stress. Just say that you tend to get nervous when you are very enthusiastic about something and that you apologize in advance. Kind of laugh it off.. and make light of it if that makes sense. Not that stuttering is a joke.. I get it too, but it will make you feel more at ease and I believe that people appreciate genuineness, humility, and maybe a bit of self-deprecation... not to the point of showing lack of confidence, but just showing honesty and sincerity. That's my little opinion :)

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Oh, and I stuttered and froze up at my last interview and I got offered the position... and this was after months of unemployment!

[buster4]

I appreciate everyones opinions and support given to this poster, Noone except a person who truly stutters, knows what a stutterer goes through, every word that comes out of your mouth is thought about in advance, so when people tell me "oh I stutter too sometimes". a person may stumble on words, but it is not the same as a true stutter.......... But to this poster, keep your chin up and feel confident in your abilities and knowledge and what you can offer to this company....... and feel free to send me a message or pm, or email good luck!!

[nurseypoo87]

I appreciate everyones opinions and support given to this poster, Noone except a person who truly stutters, knows what a stutterer goes through, every word that comes out of your mouth is thought about in advance, so when people tell me "oh I stutter too sometimes". a person may stumble on words, but it is not the same as a true stutter.......... But to this poster, keep your chin up and feel confident in your abilities and knowledge and what you can offer to this company....... and feel free to send me a message or pm, or email good luck!!

wow. took the words right out of my mouth

Yeah it really is hard to really understand what a stutterer goes through... and that "oh I stutter sometimes" "Yeah I stutter too" makes my boil literally BOIL!! that really ticks me off.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging replies. I'm going to go in smiling, have a positive outlook and hope for the best. I really hope I land this because God knows I need to start paying down some of these student loans :)

Thanks again everyone :heartbeat