4 answers
Alexis
Student
Benbrook, TX
1
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how do i prepare for a nursing interview?
How do I prepare for an interview for a nursing residency program?
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4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Alexis,
Congratulations on your interview and I suppose your recent graduation from nursing school?
There are certain questions that are always being asked in interviews. You can prepare answers for those. Just don't over-prepare. You want to sound like you are having a natural conversation. But it helps to know what interviewers are looking for and also how to give a concise answer without rambling on for too long.
If you go on YouTube you can find a lot of examples for general interviews and also specifically for nurses.
One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdYdJwRcmVw
I hope this helps! All the best to you in your nursing career!
KP
Congratulations on your interview and I suppose your recent graduation from nursing school?
There are certain questions that are always being asked in interviews. You can prepare answers for those. Just don't over-prepare. You want to sound like you are having a natural conversation. But it helps to know what interviewers are looking for and also how to give a concise answer without rambling on for too long.
If you go on YouTube you can find a lot of examples for general interviews and also specifically for nurses.
One example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdYdJwRcmVw
I hope this helps! All the best to you in your nursing career!
KP
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Alexis !
Congratulations on proceeding with interviews for a Nursing residency and coming this far in your nursing program ! That's fabulous !
Interviews, whether they are for employment or a residency are not performances so they cannot be rehearsed or planned. You have prepared for this interview already through your nursing program. If you have done clinicals and hands on Standardized Patient exams, that may be your only "experience" thus far, but that's perfectly fine, the interviewer will know that beforehand. The interviewer will gear the questions based on that, understanding that you haven't been a nurse for ten years already.
So, if interviews are not a performance, what are they ? They are simply a conversation. You can assume that the interviewer may ask you things such as what you would do in certain situations or may even ask you about medications but at the same time, the interviewer is getting a feel for your personality and how you would fit in at their facility. You may be asked what realm of nursing interests you the most and that's always an interesting thing to discuss. You may want to ask your professor about the facility you are interviewing at if you're not very familiar with it or it's environment. Most likely your professors who are nurses can shed some insight about various places.
Most of all, relax and don't overthink it. Every interview gives you valuable experience for the next interviews. Be yourself, pleasant, someone they'd want to work with. It's okay to ask questions during a discussion of a specific topic during the interview, but I would not initiate questions about pay or ask what the downside of working there is - keep it upbeat and positive and show that you have a sincere interest in doing your residency there. These are just some things to think about, but there is no way to know the exact way the interview will go or the actual questions, so just be yourself and think of it as a learning experience.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! I hope you get the residency that you really want !
Congratulations on proceeding with interviews for a Nursing residency and coming this far in your nursing program ! That's fabulous !
Interviews, whether they are for employment or a residency are not performances so they cannot be rehearsed or planned. You have prepared for this interview already through your nursing program. If you have done clinicals and hands on Standardized Patient exams, that may be your only "experience" thus far, but that's perfectly fine, the interviewer will know that beforehand. The interviewer will gear the questions based on that, understanding that you haven't been a nurse for ten years already.
So, if interviews are not a performance, what are they ? They are simply a conversation. You can assume that the interviewer may ask you things such as what you would do in certain situations or may even ask you about medications but at the same time, the interviewer is getting a feel for your personality and how you would fit in at their facility. You may be asked what realm of nursing interests you the most and that's always an interesting thing to discuss. You may want to ask your professor about the facility you are interviewing at if you're not very familiar with it or it's environment. Most likely your professors who are nurses can shed some insight about various places.
Most of all, relax and don't overthink it. Every interview gives you valuable experience for the next interviews. Be yourself, pleasant, someone they'd want to work with. It's okay to ask questions during a discussion of a specific topic during the interview, but I would not initiate questions about pay or ask what the downside of working there is - keep it upbeat and positive and show that you have a sincere interest in doing your residency there. These are just some things to think about, but there is no way to know the exact way the interview will go or the actual questions, so just be yourself and think of it as a learning experience.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! I hope you get the residency that you really want !
Courtney Hundley
RN
11
Answers
Elkin, North Carolina
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Hello,
There are many ways to prepare for a nursing interview.
1. Know what your strengths and weakness are and be able to elaborate on them.
2. Dress professional.
3. Find out about the organization and see how your nursing style would complement the organization.
4. Be prepared for anything, I was once interviewed by a panel of 15 all asking questions for over an hour.
5. Ask questions, do not be afraid to speak up and ask things about the facility you are interviewing to work, come to ask questions to the interviewer about what their expectations of the job that you are seeking.
6. Be confident but humble, but do brag on things that you excell in whether it is leadership, communication, or teamwork.
Lastly, be you!
Good Luck!!!
There are many ways to prepare for a nursing interview.
1. Know what your strengths and weakness are and be able to elaborate on them.
2. Dress professional.
3. Find out about the organization and see how your nursing style would complement the organization.
4. Be prepared for anything, I was once interviewed by a panel of 15 all asking questions for over an hour.
5. Ask questions, do not be afraid to speak up and ask things about the facility you are interviewing to work, come to ask questions to the interviewer about what their expectations of the job that you are seeking.
6. Be confident but humble, but do brag on things that you excell in whether it is leadership, communication, or teamwork.
Lastly, be you!
Good Luck!!!
Martin Schoen
APRN
387
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Be yourself! Sharing too much might overwhelm others, but sharing too little can make you seem distant.