After all the hard work of nursing school, cramming for the NCLEX, and sending out countless resumes, you've finally secured an interview. So now what? Just show up and win them over with your charming personality? Show
Not so fast. If you've done some research about job interviews, you know there's a ton of information out there. Unfortunately, it's mostly geared towards corporate office jobs. And interviewing for a nursing job can be very different! Listen to "How To Ace Your Nurse Job Interview" on the Ask Nurse Alice PodcastNursing interviews take a lot of preparation and even more practice. This guide will teach you everything you need to know, step-by-step, about wowing your audience at your next nursing interview! Find Nursing ProgramsCurrent Degree Desired Degree Show Me Programs Part One Nurse Interview BasicsFirst things first, you need to understand the objective of the interview. By the time you’ve been invited to one, employers have already determined that you have most of the qualifications required. The purpose of the interview is to determine if they like you and whether you’re a good fit for their team. They also want to see if you’re as good as you seem on paper and can help them reach their goals. Treat the interview like a conversation where both candidate and employer have a shared goal of getting to know each other. This is also an opportunity for you to evaluate the role and employer. You’ll be spending most of your time at work, so it’s important to be somewhere that aligns with you core values, helps you reach your goals, and is actually enjoyable - not just tolerable. With that said, interviewing styles and processes can vary greatly by employer. Chances are, you’ll encounter most of the interview styles discussed in this guide at some point in your career. Expert AdviceYaya Genfi, BSN, RN is a Pediatric PICU Travel Nurse and runs a popular YouTube channel and Instagram page. Here’s her secret to a successful nursing interview. “Do your research on the unit or the floor you are going to be interviewing for. Find out the patient population and what procedures are common on the floor. It’ll be good to already know what to expect and to be able to brush up on your knowledge before you speak to the manager or interviewing nurses.”Part Two Prescreen Phone Interviews for NursesThis is usually the first step in the hiring process. These short interviews usually take place by phone or at a job fair. They’re not usually conducted by the hiring manager. Instead, you’ll most likely be talking to a recruiter or Human Resources assistant.The goal is to reduce the number of candidates and invite the best fitting candidates for the next step. While this interviewer is not usually the person who will hire you, this will be the first person who can reject you if you seem unqualified in any way. They are masterful at asking short-ended, straightforward questions to quickly obtain the information they need. Make sure you give the right answers that will convince them to send you to the next stage. They’ll ask basic qualifying questions about:
Here are some tips to get you through this first round. What NOT To Do In A Phone InterviewMiss the call. Employers will rarely cold-call you. They’ll likely schedule this call with you in advance via email. This is your first impression! If the call is missed, they may not leave a voicemail and just disqualify you right away. It just looks bad. Don’t do it unless there’s an absolute emergency. Take the call in a busy room. Find a quiet place to talk, free of loud noises and distractions. You shouldn’t be talking to others, typing, shopping, driving, eating or chewing. Never put your interviewer on hold. (Yes, this actually happens!) Ramble or be silent. Let’s face it, phone interviews are strange. You can’t read body language or get a feel for how the interviewer is reacting to your answers. There’s a lot of awkward laughing. However, it’s still important to answer questions directly and to the point, without rambling or making things more uncomfortable by being silent. Follow the interviewer’s lead! Speak negatively. No one likes a “negative Nancy”. You should never complain or speak negatively about past (or current) employers. Also, slang and curse words are never to be used in an interview. What You Should Do in a Phone InterviewKnow your availability. The interviewer’s goal is to invite the best candidates to an in-person interview. Many extend an invitation during the screening interview. Have your calendar and availability ready. Ask about next steps. Have you ever ended a phone interview feeling confused about what’s next? While interviewers should tell you the next steps, they often are in a rush and miss this step. Make sure to ask about next steps and to clarify them when they tell you. If invited for an in person interview, make sure to know:
Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve made it past the phone screen and landed a face-to-face interview! At this point, you know your qualifications fit some, most, or even all of their needs. Now they need to get to know you as a person to see if you’re as good as you look on paper. They also want to make sure you have the right personality that will fit in with the rest of the team. Here are a few types of in-person interviews you may encounter. SELECTION INTERVIEWThis is your first opportunity to meet the hiring manager. There’s no special formula to this interview (though, some may use a score sheet). Ultimately, they are determining if they personally like you. This includes a number of things:
Use this as a chance to match yourself to the role through your personal experiences, stories and charming personality. SERIES INTERVIEWThis is one of those situations where you’ll be interviewed, individually, by multiple people back-to-back. Series interviews are usually utilized for management-level roles. It is actually a combination of a pre-screen and a selection interview because you are meeting each person for the first time. Each interviewer is also involved in the decision-making process. Make sure to treat each new interviewer with eagerness and answer the questions thoroughly while engaging in meaningful conversation. Keep in mind that each interviewer will compare notes after the interview. Be consistent when answering the same question several times. Nothing looks worse to a hiring manager than different answers to the same question. PANEL INTERVIEWHas this ever happened to you? You head into an interview prepared to meet with one person only to find three other people staring back at you. Awkward. Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs If that’s never happened to you, you’re lucky because it’s fairly common. This is why you should come to your interview prepared to meet several people. That’s why it’s always good to bring at least five copies of your resume. The panel interview can leave interviewees feeling vulnerable and reactive. While employers gain valuable insight from multiple department leads, candidates can feel rushed and overwhelmed. Ample preparation is a sure way to boost your confidence. Our best advice is to maintain eye contact with all participants, engage in conversation with the entire group, share personal stories, and smile! PEER INTERVIEWChances are, you’ll encounter a peer interview at some point in your nursing job search. Most facilities utilize them. In this situation, the candidate is interviewed by their potential co-workers. It provides an opportunity to ask the staff-specific questions and gain insider feedback. It also gives the staff the opportunity to be involved in the selection process. They want to know that you can do the job and also that you’ll fit in well with their team and unit culture. Be prepared with stories to share regarding specific clinical and behavioral based questions. Common structure of an in-person interview
Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs Expert Advice for NursesMonique Doughty BSN-RN, is a Critical Care travel nurse and entrepreneur providing advice, inspiration, and support for future and current nurses through her blog The Resilient Nurse. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. “Before your interview, research the company’s mission and purpose and feel comfortable enough to discuss their core values. Dress professionally for business, perform a mock interview with a friend, and make eye contact. Finally, believe in your talents and know you are fully deserving of this position.”Part Four Nursing Interview PreparationNow that you know what type of interview situations to expect, it’s time to get ready for your actual interview. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. As you can guess, when it comes to interviewing, preparation is everything. There are some important things you should do before your first interview. Write it All DownThis guide will take you through some exercises that call for self-assessment and employer research. It’s recommended that you go through them by writing your answers down. That’s right, write it down using actual pen and paper. Though handwritten notes are quickly becoming a thing of the past, studies have shown that those who hand write notes comprehend and retain more than those who type them out. Analyze and CompareThe first thing you’ll want to do is analyze the job posting and compare your qualifications. So read the job posting thoroughly. Then read it again. Break it all down by making a comparative list. On one side, list the qualifications the employer is seeking. On the other side, list your skills (hard and soft), accomplishments, stories and examples that directly meet the employer’s needs. Know your personal goals and what you can contribute. Research the facility!In the age of information, everything you need to know is simply a click away. While reading the job posting is important, there’s much left unsaid. You need to know your audience. They’ll ask specific questions about their hospital and if you haven’t done your research, they’ll know. It is also a great way for you to learn more about the role you’re actually applying for. Start by checking out their website and answering the following questions:
Review Social Media SitesFind your potential employer on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin and answer the following questions:
This all helps you to get a feel for their values and culture. Find First-hand InformationThere are many websites that allow customers, patients, and employees to leave reviews about hospitals. Finding nurse-specific information can be a little more difficult. Check out other online nursing forums to see what your colleagues are saying. Find Salary InformationBe prepared for the somewhat awkward conversation of salary by doing your research about the pay at the facility and in your location in general. There are websites that list employee compensation. Ask around in online nursing forums or to friends. You can also check our article that breaks down average Registered Nursing pay by state. Clean up your own social media accountsSocial media is often a potential employer’s first impression of a candidate. Clean up your accounts and make sure that it is the best reflection of you. It’s best to do so before you submit your resume, but if you haven’t, do it now. Here are a few tips:
Social media and online activity can also be positive! For example, if you run a blog, Instagram or YouTube channel related to your career, employers may view that as a testament to your dedication. Be sure to talk about those side projects during your interview! Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs Part Five Mock InterviewsWe’ve all been there. You know, when you think of the perfect answer to a question after the opportunity to answer is long gone? Don’t let this happen to you during an interview. Think of the perfect answers, stories, and examples before the interview. That way, you can wow them with your thoughtful, specific replies. Ask a friend, mentor, or even another recruiter to help you prepare for your interview. They should ask a few common (behavioral and clinical) nursing questions and provide you with real feedback. Tell them to be brutally honest! To be clear, we’re not telling you to prepare and rehearse scripted answers. Please don’t do that. Use the ideas you come up with during practice to guide your answers when it’s show time. If you can’t find anyone to help you with a mock interview, you can simulate the experience by writing the questions in our downloadable workbook on pieces of paper and throwing them in a jar. Pull the questions out randomly and it will train your mind to pivot quickly between questions. Part Six Control Your Body languageBody language can portray our true emotions and feelings before we ever open our mouths. Watch yourself answering questions in a mirror. If you watch while you’re talking on the phone, chances are you’ll make the same expressions while interviewing. There are few things you should take note of while you practice. Facial Expressions
Hand placement
PostureStrong posture portrays confidence while bad posture can send the opposite message. Sit up straight with both feet on the floor, eyes forward, and shoulders squared towards your interviewer. Non-Verbal CuesAs previously mentioned, interviewers are paying just as much attention to your non-verbal cues as they are to what you say. Follow these tips for success:
Hopefully, once the interview kicks off you’ll feel really comfortable and welcomed. If not, here are some more tips to help you successfully make it through:
Illegal QuestionsTake note of the following questions because they are illegal for employers to ask:
If you are asked any of these questions or a variation of the question, you are not required to answer. We’d encourage you to consider ending the interview. Would you want to work for someone who asks illegal and discriminatory questions? Part Seven Be a StorytellerIt’s extremely difficult to get a glimpse of who someone really is if they are simply spewing off textbook, generic, scripted answers. This is why most health care employers have resorted to asking behavioral questions. While some may still ask basic NCLEX, resume, and case-based questions; being prepared to answer behavioral questions will take your interview to the next level. Our top interviewing advice for answering behavioral questions is to tell real-life stories about your unique experience as a Nurse (or, a non-Nurse if the question permits). Storytelling is powerful and memorable. Most importantly, it provides evidence to support the assertions made in your resume. It gives the employer a glimpse at the type of nurse (and human being) you are. They get a better idea of how you think, how you react, how you solve problems, and what you value. As a rule of thumb, if you are ever stuck by a question, tell a story. When thinking of stories to share, write down times when you:
Then, for each of these situations answer the following:
Storytelling during interviews does have some rules that we’d suggest following. We don’t want the story to get drawn out and spun off into oblivion. The key to storytelling is to remain concise, describe the specific steps you took, and talk about what you learned from the situation. There’s a secret formula to answering nursing interview questions and it will make you a STAR! The type of storytelling we recommend during an interview is referred to as the STAR format. For interviewing purposes, the acronym STAR represents the four components of a good answer:
Does that sound familiar? The nursing profession uses a similar communication process referred to as SBAR. The acronym SBAR represents the four components of effective communication in nursing:
For interviewing purposes, the STAR format is similar to the SBAR process. However, it does vary slightly. The point to answering questions in this manner is to prove to the interviewer, undoubtedly, that you know your stuff. Here’s a step-by-step method to telling a story with the STAR process:
Here’s how to understand the STAR format: SituationBegin your story by painting a specific picture of the situation you faced. Then, answer the following:
For example: “I love to get to know my patients. It was my first day of my second travel nursing assignment. I met my first patient, Elizabeth, and she was doing well managing her labor and was in good spirits awaiting the birth of her son, Cedric. Her husband laughed at the way I pronounced the name of their hometown, Puyallup.” Task (or, background)Use this opportunity to explain your specific role in the task. Then, answer the following:
For example: “After about 20 minutes of tracking the baby’s heartbeat, I noticed that is was dropping.” ActionDiscuss, very specifically, the actions you took to resolve the situation. Then answer the following:
For example: “I explained to Elizabeth that her baby may not like her laying on the right side so I helped her onto her left side and asked her to take slow, deep breaths. I observed for a few minutes without increase and then turned Elizabeth back to her right side. Her baby’s heartbeat did not increase. I told Elizabeth that she would be just fine and asked her husband to coach her breathing. I called the Midwife and continued to coach Elizabeth through her breathing. Her Midwife, Audrey, decreased the Pitocin and explained to Elizabeth that if the baby’s heart rate did not increase, she would be sent for an emergency cesarean section.” ResultClearly detail the result of your actions and highlight your strengths. Then, answer the following:
“Happily, my close observation and care resulted in the vaginal birth of a beautiful baby boy named, Cedric. I remain in contact with Elizabeth and her family on Facebook. She often sends me photos of Cedric, even now, 2 years later. I ended up extending my contract at that facility and was offered a Charge Nurse position. I learned that building a strong connection with my patient from the start can have positive lasting results. And, it’s just who I am.” Be RealManagers are not looking for the “right” answer all the time. You don’t have to always talk about the times you were a superhero. They are looking to learn more about you and your abilities, hear about your self-awareness, responsibilities, thought process, and past experiences. For behavioral questions, keep in mind that most interviewers will ask some variation of the same 30 questions. A good tactic is to think of specific stories in STAR format to match all 30 of these commonly asked behavior-based questions. Task Prioritization QuestionsThere’s a growing trend of interviewers asking interviewees to place random tasks in specific order and explain why the interviewee would complete the tasks in that order. It would benefit you to review specific clinical duties related to the unit you are interviewing for. Take a few moments to think about how you would complete the following tasks and why?
Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs Part Eight Nursing Interview QuestionsNow you’re ready to put everything you’ve learned to the test. Below are 10 real questions that have been asked by actual nurse recruiters. Teamwork1. Describe a situation when you had to work closely with a difficult coworker. How did you handle the situation? Were able to build a relationship with this person? 2. Talk about a conflict within your healthcare team. What was the conflict and how did you handle it? Patient Care3. Tell me about a time when a patient’s family was dissatisfied with your care. How did you handle that situation? 4. What approach did you take in communicating with people who do not know medical jargon? Give an example of a time you explained medical terminology to someone who is not medically trained. Time Management5. Talk about a time you worked in a fast-paced setting. How do you prioritize tasks while maintaining excellent patient care? 6. Describe your experience with a very ill patient who required a lot of your time. How did you manage this patient’s care while ensuring your other patients were adequately cared for? Communication Style7. Give an example of a time when you were able to successfully persuade a patient to agree to something. How did you persuade this person? 8. Describe a time when you were the resident medical expert. What did you do to make sure everyone was able to understand you? Motivation and Core Values9. What is one professional accomplishment that you are most proud of and why? 10. Talk about a challenging situation or problem where you took the lead to correct it instead of waiting for someone else to do it. >>Related: 31 Sample Nurse Interview Questions and Answers Part Nine Stand Out With a PortfolioA sure way to stand out from other candidates is to prepare your professional nursing portfolio. A nurse portfolio provides tangible evidence to the statements made both on your resume and during your interview. It is both a valuable tool to be utilized at career fairs and networking events as well as at interviews. We suggest creating your portfolio early in your career and adding to it as your career progresses. When providing it at an interview, be sure to bring at least five copies. The supplies you’ll need to develop your portfolio include:
Always include the following documents in your portfolio (colored copies are a nice touch):
It is optional to include the following:
Show Me RN-to-BSN Programs Part Ten Give a Strong CloseThe end of an interview can feel a little awkward but, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you should prepare for. Questions You Should AskNear the close of the interview, you’ll likely be asked if you have questions. Hopefully, you’ll still have unanswered questions. If not, don’t stare silently at your interviewer. Ask them one of your prepared questions. That’s right, have a few written in your notebook to ask just in case your mind goes blank. Here are a few to jot down:
CLARIFY NEXT STEPSOne of the worst feelings is waiting in limbo for an employer to call. Save yourself the stress by asking about or clarifying next steps. Ask for a business card or contact information (you’ll need this later!). Make sure to thank your interviewer for their time. Reiterate your strengths and remind the interviewer how awesome you are. Part Eleven Final Preparations for Your Nursing Job InterviewEase your nerves by preparing for the interview at least a full day in advance. The last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed or stressed the day of the interview. To prepare for the interview do the following: Know the name of your interviewer or who you are meeting with first. Write down the specifics about the interview: date, time, location. Get precise directions, in advance. Have the address written (or printed) and even marked in your GPS. If you are interviewing in a hospital and have the time, we suggest driving to the facility a few days before your interview. Find the best route, scope out parking options, learn the directions to your interviewer’s office. Think about your appearance. Take a peek at the weather and dress appropriately. We suggest business or business casual attire. Keep your hair out of your face and ditch the heavy fragrance. Try on and lay out your clothes the night before so there are no surprises like missing buttons or hidden stains that you’ll have to deal with the next morning. Pack an ‘interview kit’ to help you feel comfortable and prepared. Consider including items such as:
Plan AheadYour interview starts the night before with final practice and review. Followed by enough sleep (shoot for 8 hours), water, and food. Think positively! Try to stay off social media the night before, if you can. Plan your transportation. It is never appropriate to be late for an interview. We encourage you to plan accordingly. If you live in a heavy traffic area, give yourself more than enough time to arrive early. Keep in mind, “to be early is to be on-time, to be on-time is to be late and to be late is a waste of time.” If you know that you will be running late or if you need to reschedule contact your interviewer as soon as possible, we suggest at least 24 hours in advance for rescheduling. Follow UpSend a thank you card. We live in a time where actual thank you cards are unexpected and appreciated. Stand out from the others by sending one. If that’s not your style, a simple email will do! This is another time to reiterate your strengths. Say something like: Carrie, With thanks, If you do not hear back about the role by the time stated and you are still interested. Follow up with your interviewer via email, here’s a sample email: Carrie, With thanks, Lastly, if you do not hear back within 24 hours after sending the email, try calling your interviewer. If you need to leave a voicemail, try something like “Hi Carrie, this is [name]. I met you during my interview on June 24th. I’m following up to check if the role is still open as I am still very interested. I can be reached at [phone number] and have sent you an email as well.” Networking is worth it!Technology has changed much about the job search. In some ways, it’s made it easier to meet people, and in others, it’s actually made it more difficult. Technology sites like LinkedIn make it fairly simple to connect with and continue to network with decision makers. We suggest adding your interviewers on Linkedin and remaining in contact with them. You never know when a new opportunity may open up again. No one likes rejectionWe’ll all face rejection at some point in life. The key to handling rejection gracefully is turning it into an opportunity to learn. If you are not chosen for a role, use it as an opportunity to improve and further your research. How do you do this? By asking your interviewer for feedback. You might ask:
We get it. Interviews are awkward and they make everyone nervous. Take these tips to heart and practice, practice, practice! While it’s not a guarantee you’ll be hired on the spot, these tips will help you to learn a lot more about yourself and how to portray your skills, accomplishments, and stories in the best way possible. What are the 4 phases of the nursing interview?Four Phases of a Nursing Interview: Preparatory phase, Introduction, Working phase, Termination.
Which phase of the nursing interview is the data gathering phase?Data Collection:
During the assessment phase, the nurse collects objective and subjective data using proven methods to assess the patient. The most common methods for collecting data are the patient interview, physical examination, and observation.
What is interview in nursing process?The interview, or the history, provides the date base from which all other phases of the nursing process will flow. The physical examination acts to corroborate information gleaned from the interview. The interview should be designed so that the nurse will begin to understand the patient's adaptive processes.
What is the phase of the interview in which the nurse gathers data about the patient's health history?Assessment phase
During the assessment phase, the nurse will look at any subjective and objective data collected in the patient's history.
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