Nursing Interview Tips
After completing nursing school you are ready to get start a new career as a nurse. Nursing is a highly skilled profession that takes organization, patience and compassion. Those who are looking forward to an interview with a hospital or doctor’s office should prepare for their interview by learning about the facility, what the job entails and what will be expected of the person who is hired for the position.
Knowing how to succeed in a nursing job interview by being properly prepared and developing the right interview skills.
1. The first step the nursing applicant should take before an interview is prepare all of the necessary paperwork. Take along extra copies of your resume or CV, your complete and typed list of references, your nursing license and qualifications, and any letters of recommendation you have.? New and experienced nurses should also bring a copy of their nursing license and immunization documents.
2. Familiarize yourself with the employer before the interview. You want to discover all you can about the target nursing job. The knowledge you gain before you arrive for the interview will give you the confidence and skills to convince the employer that you are the best nursing candidate.
3. Always arrive for your interview early and dress appropriately, which should be conservative, but professional. Even speak professional. Be pleasant, don’t be afraid to smile, and have a nice conversation.
4. It is natural to feel a little nervous, but being prepared will help in appearing much more confident, which in turn will help increase the chances of being selected for the nursing position you are applying for. Being prepared is the key to any successful interview.
5. When greeting the interviewer be sure to give a firm hand shake, while making direct eye contact and smiling.
6. What most interviewers are looking for in a nursing candidate is experience. It is for this reason that you should have many examples of past work, to share with your interviewer.
7. Prepare for an interview is to practice answering typical interview questions. The interviewer wants to know how well a nurse will function in difficult situations. You might be asked how you would deal with a problem patient or family member, what your method is for a short-staffed shift and questions that measure your leadership skills as a nurse.
8. When interviewing for a nursing job, situational questions will come up. For example, your interviewer may give you a situation in which a patient is refusing to take his or her medication. You would then have to describe your solution to the problem and your reasoning. This is an effective way for interviewers to see your problem solving skills in action and to test your feelings on ethical issues
9. The interviewer will know a little about yourself, why you left your last job, how you found out about the position, your strengths and weaknesses, and why they should hire you. Keep in mind when answering that all weaknesses can be turned into strengths through experience if given the opportunity.
10. When an interviewer asks applicants whether they have any questions, it is a good idea to have at least one question in mind. Ask about the type of equipment available at the facility, what type of support staff the nurses can rely on and whether there are professional development opportunities available for those that work at the facility.? Ask about the nurse-to-patient ratio.