Will this interview question cost me the job if I answer truthfully?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a new grad RN and have an interview with a hospital on a med-surg/tele unit. They said they would like to discuss my career goals. My dream units are L&D and Peds. I know it probably isn't advisable to say I don't desire to be in med-surg longterm, what do you suggest I say instead?

Dear What to Say,

Discussing your career goals can also mean they want to know if you are going to pursue your NP, or if you are pursuing other educational goals.

You could say "My career goals right now are to become the best nurse I can be, and learn everything I can. In school I loved Peds and I want a chance to practice nursing in the real world before I specialize further".

In this way you have been honest without seeming like a flight risk.

You could also end with a question such as "I'd like to get really involved with unit projects. What opportunities are there to get involved on the unit?"

In the second example, you segue to to a question which moves the focus of their question. Good luck in your interview!

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with Nurse Beth on this one. There are plenty of ways to answer that question without seeming to be a flight risk. Emphasize your desire to focus on becoming a good, well-rounded nurse in the first few years of your career -- to solidify your clinical skills, to learn how to be a Charge Nurse and Preceptor, to get involved in some quality improvement projects, etc. You don't have to specify a specific unit you want to work on.

If pushed to get a little more specific about employment ... say something like ... "I hope that this unit is the type of unit that will provide me the opportunity to learn and grow -- and that I will be happy here for at least a few years. Beyond that, I don't really know. I think I need to get some experience first before I can think about other types of nursing jobs."

[Chrispy11, ASN, RN]

Take the first job wherever you can get in. Half my class wanted L&D, peds, and NICU. About 25% wanted to go for their NP. A nurse at my job said he trains new nurses and they leave in under a year to get into one of these specialties or ICU. Maybe another less popular area. There's so much not covered in clinicals that pay very well if you get certifications. I myself was convinced I wanted to start in Med/Surg and wound up in a specialty.

Just saying, there is so much out there. Explore instead of limiting yourself. You may be surprised at what you find. :)