MSN, RN, NPD-BC
If you’re reading this, one of two things may be occurring. You’re either in the homestretch finishing nursing coursework, or you’ve graduated from nursing school. At this point, two thoughts might be on your mind: passing the NCLEX and finding your first nursing job.
You may feel excitement, doubt, fear, optimism, pessimism, hope, anxiety, relief, or high expectation. The emotions are endless. Now is the time to push through the mixed feelings and prepare for your next steps.
Let me preface this by saying that you do NOT have to pass the NCLEX before applying for your first nursing job. So, if you are in your final year of nursing school or just graduated, this article is for you! This reassurance should help you feel relieved and less pressured about the timing of your job applications.
Nursing interviews are a unique experience, unlike any other interviews you’ve encountered. I can almost guarantee it. Nursing interviews have some unique facets, especially if you’re a new graduate. You may have thought your nursing exam questions only prepared you for the NCLEX. However, they’ve also prepared you for your interviews. As someone who has interviewed many novice nurses, I’ve seen a variety of questions. Of course, interviewers can’t share the questions in detail. But several prominent themes may arise in nursing interviews.
Preparation requires reflection and intention. Focusing on how you’ll respond to potential questions will help you prepare for whatever an interviewer asks. Reflect on the topics below and be intentional about writing down your responses. Use the interview tips below to and practice how you’ll respond. You can practice in the mirror, with a mentor, or anybody you trust to give you constructive feedback.
Reflect on why you wanted to become a nurse. Some interviewers like to ask about your “why” as an introduction to get to know you. Sometimes, they ask what made you want to become a nurse or your nursing philosophy. What does nursing mean to you? If you have not thought about this by now, I highly recommend taking time to do so.
There are many reasons why individuals decide to go to nursing school. A family member may have been a nurse, and they inspired you. You may have received excellent nursing care as a patient or witnessed a loved one receive great nursing care. Tell your story! Honesty is the best policy.
However, if your reason is that you heard nurses make good money, I recommend refraining from mentioning that in your interview. While it does come with excellent monetary compensation, nursing is far beyond a paycheck. In times of crisis, it will seem as if no money could repay everything the nursing profession encompasses — your passion for nursing and your “why” will keep you grounded.
Interviewers may also want to know why you chose to apply to a specific department or nurse residency program. If you apply directly to a particular department/nursing unit, research that area. Search the organization’s website or Google the organization. Research the scope of practice and the patient population. You may even find that the unit or organization has received specific awards or accreditations that you can speak to as a reason for wanting to apply there. If you’e applying to a nurse residency program, reflect on why you want to apply to a particular track (medical-surgical, progressive care, critical care, emergency services, perioperative, etc.).
Be prepared to describe your clinical experiences and how they have prepared you to be a strong candidate for the position. This can be your experience with clinical rotation sites from nursing school, shadow experiences, and employment in healthcare (certified nursing assistant, unit clerk, patient care technician, medical assistant, patient transport, student nurse extern, etc.) If nursing is a second career, speaking about your first career and the skills you acquired is acceptable, if relevant.
Time management is a vital part of nursing. Reflect on an example of your ability to multi-task effectively. To cover all bases, think about an example at work, during clinical experience, and from everyday life.
You cannot talk about time management without prioritization. In nursing, the two go hand in hand. It would be best to have several nursing exams and NCLEX practice questions by now. So, ask yourself: What would you look at when prioritizing nursing care after receiving a shift report? Which patient would you tend to first? What factors do you consider? What tasks would you delegate?
Familiarize yourself with common diagnoses and medications. Think about critical assessments for different types of patients. An example of a patient may be given, and you would have to respond with what your first response would be. What would you assess? What would be your nursing intervention? What would you expect a provider to order in response to your assessment?
Remember that patient/family education is an integral part of nursing. Be prepared to speak to how you would educate your patients and their loved ones. Familiarize yourself with resources that can help facilitate that education.
Interviewers want to know how you resolve conflict. Service recovery and workplace civility are hot topics in healthcare. Sometimes you must be able to verbally de-escalate issues, whether a displeased patient or a patient’s loved one, and there may be a conflict between yourself and another caregiver. Be prepared to provide an experience in which you had a conflict with another person and share how you dealt with it. This can be work-related or even an example in everyday life.
How do you want to develop as a nurse? Reflect on professional development after you get your foot in the door. While it is great to share your five to 10-year goals, interviewers also want to know how you plan to grow right where you are planted. How do you plan to get involved right in your place of hire? Options include, but are not limited to, joining a professional organization, participating in shared governance, obtaining a certification, or becoming involved in an evidence-based practice project.
Helen Keller once said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Nursing was never meant to be a stand-alone operation. It involves teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration. Interviewers want to know how you work in a team. Reflect on how you would gain the trust and respect of your coworkers to work effectively as a team member.
Interviewers want to know what makes you a strong candidate. Communicating your strengths and weaknesses is essential to being as authentic as possible. When asked about our strengths, we tend to gravitate toward common descriptions. I challenge you to look at the list of good strengths and be honest about your strengths.
When reflecting on weaknesses, consider any areas you would like to improve. An interviewer asking about your weaknesses may feel like a trick question, but this question is not meant to trap you. Being honest about areas for improvement conveys humility and a willingness to change and learn. Being teachable is a desirable quality as a nurse, as nursing is ever-changing.
Bring a pen and paper. Be prepared to ask questions about the organization, the specific unit, or the nurse residency program. You may want to know what makes the place you applied for a great place to work. You may want to know what they expect in an ideal candidate. You may want to know the next steps in the hiring process. You may want to know the orientation structure for a new graduate. You may want to see if you can shadow a nurse in your desired area. Coming prepared with questions communicates interest in wanting to know more about your potential place of employment.
This should go without saying, but business casual is the safe standard. Business casual may not look the same for everybody. However, you can never go wrong with a collared shirt, slacks, skirt that stops at the knee or below, blouse, sweater, no jeans, no sneakers.
If possible, suspend the alerts you may receive on your smartwatch.
I know we all want fresh breath; however, the sound of chewing is undoubtedly a distraction during an interview. Pop a mint in your mouth a few minutes before the start of the interview.
Sometimes, we can be so prepared with great answers that we want to ensure we say everything we have practiced. Just answer what is asked concisely to avoid being perceived as a wanderer.
I know interviews can be nerve-racking, but try your best to smile, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake upon greeting the interviewers. If eye contact and handshakes are not permissible from your cultural standpoint, a quick explanation of that should be understood by the interviewers. Speak loud enough to be heard. Take a deep breath if you find yourself speaking too quickly.
Schedules change, printers malfunction, and email attachments can be glitchy. Sometimes, an interviewer will be pulled into the interview as a last-minute replacement. Stay ahead of anything that might hinder the interviewers from reviewing your documents.
While not mandatory, there are many benefits to writing a thank you letter. Remember that you might be one of many candidates, so a thank you letter can keep you at the forefront of the interviewers’ minds. It also lets the interviewers know you appreciate the opportunity. You can reiterate your excitement about the position in a thank you letter. Remember how you communicated what qualities and experience make you a great candidate in your cover letter and interview? A thank you letter is the third chance to emphasize that. If you felt a rapport with the interviewers, mention that. Make sure to write down all the names of those who interviewed you and send the thank you letter as soon as possible.
Motivational speaker Brian Tracy once said, “Effective performance is preceded by painstaking preparation.” Some people have the gift of gab; however, charisma and the ability to “wing it” will not always be practical. In their uniqueness, nursing interviews call for preparation, reflection, and intention. Start now. I wish you all the best in your interview journey and hope these interview tips help guide you as you begin your career!
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