top interview questions

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2005

When I interviewed in L&D, I had absolutely no experience other than having a baby of my own...and nursing school. I had been waiting and waiting for a position to open up and when one finally did, I jumped at the chance. I went into the interview knowing I had a slim chance, but just decided that I was going to do my best. All I had known was critical care nursing, but in the interview focused on my skills and ablility to learn quickly and the realization that I had a lot to learn and was willing to take on the challenge. It is now 10 years later and it was THE best move I have ever made.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Bring out your strong points in an interview, emphasize personality and willingness to learn. Just go for it. All they can really do is say no....you have to get them to say yes.

Good luck to you....I wish you the best and hope you get the job.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 7, 2005

For my very first job out school, I interviewed for LDRP. I did not get a lot of the "standard" questions. I was asked very few questions, actually. It was more like a conversation. I was asked why OB might interest me and what I might bring to the unit. And they did ask me my goals for the future. I was very forthcoming in my total lack of experience in nursing at all, let alone OB. The manager knew all that already, anyhow. She was looking for a new nurse to "mold" is my guess, and liked me. Don't sweat too many questions. They often look at your resume and app and decide a LOT before they even meet you. Just go in dressed neatly, you know, the standard. Looking clean and well-groomed and ABSENT any perfume. Be prepared to answer why you think OB might be the job for you and maybe the toughest question, which is "what is your greatest weakness" or some variation of that. If you are prepared to answer that question, the rest are cake.

Also, have questions of your own. Ask about staffing ratios, patterns. About the practicioners there----any midwives, family practice docs, etc and how many people elect to go "natural" or low-intervention? Ask to tour the facility. Do they have LDRP or LDR and MBU? Do they have a NICU in the hospital? If not, where do such babies go? Do they have jacuzzis/labor tubs? Doula services? How many deliveries a month? What level care? (level 2 , 3 etc). How is scheduling handled? Is the unit self-scheduled or does one person handle this? Questions like that. You don't have to ask all of those, naturally. You are wise to do some homework ahead and find some of those answers YOURSELF----that may generate some more questions for you. I am just giving you food for thought.

But DO have some intelligent questions ready. Most interviewers prefer people who are thinking enough to ask questions----it shows interest and forethought ---as well as initiative on your part.

Good luck and don't worry. Try to remain calm. I have always ENJOYED my interviews immensely, using them as a time to "interview them" as well!

nutsaboutOBnursing · Jun 8, 2005

My interview process was very stressful. Evidently an extremely large number of Spring 2005 nursing graduates in my area decided that OB was for them. I had 4 interviews and at every one of them I was informed that they had more applicants than they had ever had. I was fortunate to recieve 2 offers one of which was the local "hospital of my dreams". I definitely attribute it to a lot of time in prayer but beyond that . . . I let them know how extremely passionate I was about L&D. The interviewer (who will now be my director) responded very well to this stating that she was looking for people who knew what they wanted and were passionate about it.

I also think it's very good to prepare some intelligent questions to ask them. I asked about morale in the unit. How do the employees handle stress on the unit? Describe the relationship between the doctors and nurses on this unit. If I were to ask one of nurses in the unit "what is the best thing about working here?" or "what is the most challenging thing about working here?" what do you think they would say? Actually the latter question prompted the interviewer to say "let me let you ask them that question", and I was introduced to the staff. She may have introduced me anyway but the question does open the door for that kind of response.

You'll do great! Just go in dressed professionally, with a big smile, an air of confidence, and a passion for what you want.

ShannonB25 · Jun 8, 2005

First off, good luck with your interviews. I JUST went through all this myself so I know how you're feeling.

Let's see...at my interview last week they asked general questions like "what would your past employer tell me about you as an employee?", "what do you feel like is your biggest strength?"

Another theme that I've seen in interviewing quite a bit lately is they'll ask you "How do you handle a situation with a difficult co-worker?" as this sometimes happens in the hospital setting for sure. The response they tended to favor from me was that I would take them aside politely and attempt to discuss it with the person directly to see if we could resolve it amicably. If I had talked with the person a couple of times to no avail though, I told them that I would proceed up the chain to the assistant manager and so forth, so that it could be dealt with but not without having talked to the person myself first. Hopefully that came out clear- sorry. I'm a little burnt already :)

Also, they inevitably threw me questions along the lines of "You're in a room with a patient and a physician asks you to do a procedure that you're not ok with" or something along those lines. They want to see how you may handle situations such as that as well.

Hope those help a little, and good luck!

findingmywayRN · Jun 9, 2005

Thank you all so much for your great ideas and support! I've had my first interview and it went very well. I know I will be asking more questions the next time I speak with the Nurse Manager, and you've all given me a lot to think about. I'm shadowing there this weekend. Anything I should look out for when I am there?

SmilingBluEyes: Is working with midwives preferred by nurses? I know they don't do water births, but they do have a jacuzzi for laboring moms.

congrats nutsaboutOBnursing and ShannonB25 for landing your dream job! When do you both start? Let me know how you all are doing - we may be going through this together!

babyktchr: I'm glad to hear about your sucess in OB. Thanks for the encouragement - it is a big step for me to consider going in to OB from LTC. I am nervous, but also very excited. I hope it works out for me as well as it did for you!

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 9, 2005

I prefer working with midwives myself for many reasons.

good luck in the rest of the interview process. I hope you get the position!

ShannonB25 · Jun 11, 2005

FindingmywayRN,

I start on June 20, then I orient for 3 months on days before switching to nights. I wish you the best of luck in your new career too. Keep us posted as to how things are going, ok?

Take care!

Shannon

findingmywayRN · Jun 12, 2005

I just got back from shadowing for my potential L&D position. It was kind of slow in L&D but I got to meet the staff and get a lengthy tour of the place. They are very nice and friendly - which is great. I learned there are a lot of nurses leaving the whole women's care floor (for more money, burned out, etc.) and I did hear that a few nurses aren't the nicest to work with (didn't get specifics, though). The schedule has tons of holes in it to fill. I asked if they have agency come in and help out but they don't. The nurses on L&D float between the other women's health areas on the floor (antepartum, postpartum, ob/gyn surg.). One of these units has a bad reputation of being "b**chy," and it seems like no one wants to have to float there. Other than that it seemed nice. The NM told me in the interview that they have had some problems with a few members of the staff being negative, but they were dealing with these people. She also said they are looking to hire a lot of people who are optimistic and have positive personalities. Would any of this be seen as red flags to a new person coming in to this place? I'd really like to take this position, if I get a formal offer.

Thanks:)

nutsaboutOBnursing · Jun 12, 2005

I just got back from shadowing for my potential L&D position. It was kind of slow in L&D but I got to meet the staff and get a lengthy tour of the place. They are very nice and friendly - which is great. I learned there are a lot of nurses leaving the whole women's care floor (for more money, burned out, etc.) and I did hear that a few nurses aren't the nicest to work with (didn't get specifics, though). The schedule has tons of holes in it to fill. I asked if they have agency come in and help out but they don't. The nurses on L&D float between the other women's health areas on the floor (antepartum, postpartum, ob/gyn surg.). One of these units has a bad reputation of being "b**chy," and it seems like no one wants to have to float there. Other than that it seemed nice. The NM told me in the interview that they have had some problems with a few members of the staff being negative, but they were dealing with these people. She also said they are looking to hire a lot of people who are optimistic and have positive personalities. Would any of this be seen as red flags to a new person coming in to this place? I'd really like to take this position, if I get a formal offer.
Thanks:)

Well on one hand it sounds like maybe you could be that positive personality they need at this facility and maybe you could make a real difference in the atmosphere. On the other, I would hope that the somewhat negative atmosphere that seems to exist there would not cause you to become bitter about your job. I don't have any experience to compare your story to since this will be my first job in the hospital. We all know there is no such thing as the "perfect job", but since the NM shared with you about the negativity present, I wonder if she was trying to prepare you for a very difficult situation. I attended a pre-orientation/greeting meeting this week for my new job which starts next week. My experience was quite the opposite. Everyone was so positive and shared about how much they loved working there. So, I'm not sure. I think I might be a little concerned. It would be good if you could talk privately to a staff nurse. Have you had that opportunity or have you just spoken with the NM?

findingmywayRN · Jun 13, 2005

Well on one hand it sounds like maybe you could be that positive personality they need at this facility and maybe you could make a real difference in the atmosphere. On the other, I would hope that the somewhat negative atmosphere that seems to exist there would not cause you to become bitter about your job. I don't have any experience to compare your story to since this will be my first job in the hospital. We all know there is no such thing as the "perfect job", but since the NM shared with you about the negativity present, I wonder if she was trying to prepare you for a very difficult situation. I attended a pre-orientation/greeting meeting this week for my new job which starts next week. My experience was quite the opposite. Everyone was so positive and shared about how much they loved working there. So, I'm not sure. I think I might be a little concerned. It would be good if you could talk privately to a staff nurse. Have you had that opportunity or have you just spoken with the NM?

thanks for your insight. I actually did speak with a few nurses yesterday and they kind of made light of the situation - although a few joked about being glad they were leaving soon. I think i'll mention it to the nurse manager if she offers me the position. like you said maybe the new people coming in will change the atmosphere. I'm so jealous at how great your place sounds Good luck at your orientation - keep me posted on how things go for you!