Talking about yourself should be the easiest thing to do. ... How you can be an asset if hired and how you see yourself and your strengths. After high school, I waitressed part-time while completing my nursing pre-reqs, and I got really good at multi-tasking! Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia. Nurses are a team and the need to work well together. Probably because you know there's so much riding on your interview and this simple question. It doesn’t mean they don’t like you already! So many of my classmates have graduated Summa Cum Laude, President of nursing club, and so many distinctions. ... Name three words to describe yourself. Good luck. She wiped her eyes and thanked me for letting her cry and talk. because of no competing commitments such as family needs or school schedule conflicts) ... it's to the candidate's advantage to highlight that fact in the interview. I’ve always worn a blazer with a pair of dress pants/skirt and nice business looking flats. I've enjoyed many nursing roles, one of them being a Nurse Manager, which provided me with lots of interviewing and hiring experience. (reason: shows values alignment, work life balance, fun personality), The new grad who prepares and nails the interview- lands the job! All need new grad nurses will at some point need to learn how to write a resignation letter. And dont be afraid to say so. It shows that you are interested in the position. A new grad can expect the following questions and answers in an interview for their first nursing job: 8. Conflict often occurs in the hospital setting particularly between new nurses and more seasoned staff as well as doctors and nurses. Finally, I try to be pleasant -- show that I am a happy person with a stable, happy personal life -- in other words, a person who will be pleasant to work with and not bring a lot of troubles or whining to work. You’re in control! The new graduate … How would you say you perform under pressure? Where would you travel given the chance? You’ll only be better next time around! I would also add, that you do your homework. Know the mission statement of the facility in which you are applying. Get your career off life support, walk into the nursing interview ready and calm, and land that dream job! Any discussions during the interview should center around these things - The company, the position, and your qualifications. You’re in control! I tell people about my education, accomplishments, volunteer work, passion for nursing. In general, you want to think of this as your “opening statement”, the introduction to the story of you as an aspiring grad student. Other pluses are the notepad just in case you need to jot something down and slots for you to put your RN license, CPR card, or other certifications. New graduates may feel like they don’t have much to talk about during an interview. I royally screwed up telling the story about myself. Tell me about a time where you felt proud of yourself. What they brought Resumes. Let’s look at specific items to expect at an NP interview. Read the ‘About’ page on the hospital’s website and at least be familiar with it. BTW, I love your avatar. I enjoyed reading your post, hawkesbe. The interviewer does not want to know all the details about you from birth forward. My passion is helping new nurses. I don't think they want to know what your hobbies are, in fact I think some managers might think that weird if you reveal anything personal. The fact is, each interview will be unique because of the person conducting it. During nursing school, I realized that had a particular interest in cardiac nursing, and this is why I applied for the position on your unit. To narrow it down, think about what aspects you want them to know about. This is what I mean by relating all your responses back to why you want to be a nurse on that specific floor in that specific hospital! From there, the interviewer can drill down into specifics. Thanks, proud nurse! Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, ICU, Ortho. After all, who knows you better than…You? structure to help organize your thoughts. Develop and rehearse your talking points, but deliver them without sounding rehearsed. I NEVER reveal personal info and I usually do very well on interviews. Say “Thank you.” Shake some hands. If ever I will be hired for the job, I will spend the next two years mastering all the skills of being an Onco nurse… 5 Pitfalls to Avoid When a Hiring Manager Says ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ 1) Reciting your resume. And one more thing- I want to play in the Volleyball Play Offs you have every spring!" Nursing Specific Interview Questions and Sample Answers. 1. How to answer: Tell a story about a time you were … It is the first question the interviewer will ask you. How to Answer. Telling someone about yourself can be so broad. When I was asked how I cope with the stress of work, I could’ve mentioned walking my dog or watching Netflix, but I made sure to mention that I climb. 95% of the time, I end up waiting in the car so I’m not ridiculously early, but it gives me time to mentally prepare or go use the restroom. End with talking about your hope to be employed by them (future). You feel very pleased with yourself but chances are with that one answer, you may have lost the job. Of course not all interviews are like this, and you might have a totally different experience. Answer Purposefully Thank you kindly, Kati, for invitingme to guest post on yourwonderful andinformativesite that helps nurses be the best they can be. Has 30 years experience. Specializes in hospice. Be prepared to talk about concrete experiences that you’ve had and be able to present scenarios from your clinicals. About yourself. Sure, you may not have much nursing experience but don’t forget that you’ve had clinical experience. The hardest thing about preparing for new grad nurse interview questions is the unpredictability of any given interview. To make matters worse, every job opening today gets an average of 250 applications, and out of that group, only 4–6 people get in front of an interviewer. The new graduate nurse has a unique advantage to an experienced nurse. Do this whenever you can! Tell me about a time where … That was how I broke into dialysis with no experience. So many of my classmates have graduated Summa Cum Laude, President of nursing club, and so many distinctions. The easy answer is that you are the best person for the job. Yes! Thanks for reading! And that you’ll be able to take care of yourself—no matter how grueling the work gets—so that you can come back the next day ready to continue to perform. It still looks professional and the interviewer knows I put in effort. As a new graduate or a nurse without much experience, getting to this stage is the toughest part! Will I be trained to float to other floors? Tell me about yourself… Similar interview questions: I've read your resume, tell me more about who you are. As soon as you sit down, they’ll start going down their list of questions and jot notes or rate responses as you answer. Passion is huge! The nursing profession is one of constant urgency, crisis, and uncertainty. This open-ended prompt can be taken in any number of different directions, and the interviewer(s) wants to see what comes to … Don’t say you just need the money. ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ – Sample Answers. Highlight the experiences/traits that give you an advantage towards being a nurse. 5 Popular Nursing ICU Interview Questions (And Answers!) My own answers: I'm a runner, no marathons, I stay in the 5-10K distance range. My mother was a nurse and when I was growing up I saw the satisfaction she gained by helping others. Whether you're looking to get into nursing school or taking your nursing career to the next level, knowing how to navigate nursing interview questions and answers is critical to success. Congratulations—that’s no small feat. Now that we’ve covered the basics on how to answer “tell me about yourself,” we’re going to cover several essential tips that can help you stand out even more. Explain why you decided to take the path towards becoming a nurse, and emphasize what unique traits you have that show that you are made to be a nurse working on a(n) ____ floor. Tell Me About Yourself Preparing for the "Tell me about yourself" question is critical to the success of your interview. How to Answer the “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question . Tell us what you think is your greatest skill as a nurse. This question serves two purposes. “Tell me what you feel your greatest skill as a nurse is.” This is your opportunity to really showcase what it is that makes you unique from all the other applicants! Just tell me what makes you the best. You might me asked to tell them what you know about the hospital! They are also not allowed to make hiring decisions based on that personal information. That is NOT what they are asking for. And skilled ICU nurses may be able to land even higher paying jobs in critical care environments. Oftentimes, the interviewer already provided information that may have answered your questions, so I always have multiple of questions prepared so that I don’t blank out. That doesn't mean they don't do it -- at least sub-consciously. I let her tell me her story and offered her a tissue. Yes! Visit the Nursejanx Forum and dive into a discussion with your peers . Why the interviewer is asking this question: First of all, this isn't even a question. I understand that sometimes I will be asked to do something that I’ve never done before but I am not afraid to ask questions to make sure that I’m competent the next time it comes up. Tell me about yourself does not mean tell me everything. “I learned a great deal of invaluable information at my school. Who is [your name]? No matter what level of ICU nursing job you're looking for, getting through an interview is an important step. #NEWGRADNURSE #NURSINGINTERVIEW #FIRSTNURSINGJOB #NURSELIFE Hey everyone! Print out multiple copies of your resume and buy a portfolio folder! And late is unacceptable.” We were scrubbed in for her 7am clinicals at 6:30am… She would never hire someone who showed up right on time! 10. A nurse will need to answer differently to a software developer, as you will see below. During school, my grade point average was 3.3 which is OK. General Answer. Possible New Grad Nursing Interview Questions. I just recently learned that another reason why interviews are conducted like this is because they try to stay as unbiased as possible. Do you offer assistance to nurses who want to further their education. A: I’m a very energetic person and a good communicator. The purpose of a job interview is for the potential employer to learn more about your qualifications for the job being discussed, and for you to learn about the employer and the position so that all parties involved can determine if you are a good fit for the opening. When answering, try to keep it under 1 … I had to work really hard in school, but I discovered a determination within me I didn't know I had! Tell me what you know about our institution. You might be asked how you’ll contribute to the hospital’s mission or even to name a few aspects of the mission. A patient who didn’t agree with the plan of care, The patient who has had the most profound effect on you, A time where you needed to advocate for a patient. allnurses.com, INC, 7900 International Drive #300, Bloomington MN 55425 Every hospital has their own! Here's how to decrease your anxiety. The person conducting the interview will be prepared to go beyond the “Tell me about yourself” type questions. While it seems simple, one of the most difficult nursing interview questions is the dreaded “Tell me about yourself” question. I am always excited for new training so that I am ready to provide the best care to the people who rely on me. Everything you choose to say should be planned and have a purpose. It also depends on the role. Considering you’ve been asked to interview without much experience, you can pretty much assume that the interview will be entirely based on behavioral questions to get a sense of your personality. It shows you have drive, ambition and vision. 4 Essential Tips on Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” 1) Keep It Professional and Brief. ...and you're right, there is! And try to avoid general cliche answers of “I want to help people.” It’s okay to open up, dig a little deeper and show some emotion! I really intend it to be an icebreaker type of thing. Be willing to highlight being a team player. It's such a big part not to bring up. What will the orientation phase be like? Ones that I’m always interested in asking are: Ask any other questions you may have. These are asked to get a better sense of your personality and see how you handle various situations. She recommended finding a physical activity or hobby to pursue as a way to reduce stress. Not your accomplishments that give you pieces of paper, you. This doesn’t mean that preparation isn’t necessary though… besides preparing for interview questions, which we’ll get to later, there are so many other aspects to the interview that you need to prepare for. This question serves two purposes. 1-612-816-8773. By Jeff Gillis. 615 new grad registered nurse interview questions. As a fresh graduate who is yet to attend an interview, the popular phrase, “Tell me about yourself,” could be a phrase you have heard people mention. Someone who is willing to learn and believes in what they’re trying to achieve. This is a key reason to put a good deal of time and effort into thinking through how you’ll respond to “Tell me about yourself” – this is your chance to demonstrate for the interviewer(s) who you are at your core, and who you aspire to be as you pursue the path to becoming a nurse. The new graduate should offer an image of these … Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg. 1. So it only makes sense to become a great storyteller. They’re just putting you through the ringer. Answer – Regardless of your nursing credentials, nurses are … I know how to take blood, monitor patients, and I have excellent people skills. I often hear from nurses who are contemplating or on the verge of quitting nursing altogether. I did what I could to learn and grow by observing and participating in many clinical skills", "I am enthusiastic, optimistic, and invested in being part of the team". No matter what level of ICU nursing job you're looking for, getting through an interview is an important step. If you do wear makeup, keep it as close to natural looking as possible. Your interviewer loves stories. It may be illegal for them to ask certain questions, but it is not illegal for me to volunteer that information if it is going to help my case. I participated in NSNA but have not held any position. Gosh, with the staffing ratios, workplace violence, nurse burnout, and so much more… it sometimes amazes me that we have any nurses … Classes? You have just a few minutes to make an impression and set yourself apart. Tell me about your background. What about coworkers? At first, I relied heavily on allnurses.com and other websites for interview tips and practice questions, but after a while I felt like I found my groove and had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Getting an interview is an incredible feeling, but it can also be a stressful experience. Specializes in Nursing Professional Development. (reason. My family is so proud and that means so much to me" (. " I had to constantly prioritize- whether to bring the ketchup to Table A, or appease the unhappy customer at Table B, or spend a little extra time talking with Leona, my repeat elderly female customer at Table C who came in every Wednesday and seemed lonely. • What do you expect to learn from this program? Keep at it and take the whole process as a learning opportunity. Talking about yourself should be the easiest thing to do. As a new grad, the nursing interview questions that you will be asked will be different from what is asked of experienced nurses. I definitely think it helped give a better picture of the type of person I am. Why should I hire you? The hardest thing about preparing for new grad nurse interview questions is the unpredictability of any given interview. Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. I had to constantly prioritize- whether to bring the ketchup to Table A, or appease the unhappy customer at Table B, or spend a little extra time talking with Leona, my repeat elderly female customer at Table C who came in every Wednesday and seemed lonely. What are your short term goals? The new graduate nurse has a unique advantage to an experienced nurse. As often as you can! And that’s it!!!! I am really excited to be given the opportunity to be considered for this position!". (specialty and population of patients). A new grad can expect the following questions and answers in an interview for their first nursing job: 8. But it's such a broad question that it's hard to know where to start. With hundreds of applications for a handful of positions, it’s so easy to get tossed aside. Do you play an instrument? For example, she might open with “Tell me about yourself.” She doesn’t need your life story, so hit just the highlights. I want to emphasize that the biggest tip I can give you is to relate all your responses back to why you want to be a nurse on that specific floor in that specific hospital!!! Without any experience, you may be wondering how you will answer this question and be on your way to employment. Those are very interesting to me. 1. Check out Example of a Resignation Letter for Nurses (Template). I would never volunteer anything else like my marital status or age or any other info that is forbidden to ask about. Answer – With this question, the interviewer is looking to see how you work with others and how you handle yourself professionally. I have participated in the NSNA during school, and I am so proud to have graduate with a good GPA though it was really tough. • Do you intend or have any aspirations for further study and if so in what areas? If a candidate can assure them that they can be flexible in their schedule (i.e. I love old churches and would especially like to travel to London, eastern Europe, and Australia someday. Here’s an example of how to answer the Tell me About Yourself Interview Question. Learn about interview questions and interview process for 79 companies. On time is late. Pick three to five highlights and weave them into a story that outlines your career journey up to that point. So, let’s get started. 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