“Congrats on the interview!

If they asked you to Interview - They

already like you!!”
Tips

 Figure out your stories that you will use as examples.

 Review clinical scenarios related to your interviewing unit. 
 Google around and seek out a job description / find a blog / or find somebody who works
that job (LinkedIn is a great way to connect). Ask them or read about their experiences.
 As a new grad they will expect you to know basics. Be safe and use your team.
 Research hospitals mission and values and what they are known for in their community. 
 Ask questions and have a conversation
 You have to fit in with the team they already have. This means your BODY
LANGUAGE is very important. They decide if they like you before you open your
mouth. 
 FOLLOW UP
 If you are going to reference a personal experience during the interview, make sure it's
one that MOST people can relate to. You convey yourself as personable when people can
relate to the things you talk about. 
 If asked about a weakness, DO NOT say, "I take on too much work because I'm an
overachiever." Nobody will believe you and it just makes you look disingenuous. Think
about it like this, they aren't looking for creativity here. They're just hoping you don't say,
"Punctuality" or "I procrastinate." So give a genuine answer but don't commit a "cardinal
sin," so to speak. 
 Don't let your nerves dictate your future! By this I mean do WHATEVER you have to do
to stay calm.
 You want to practice but not rehearse. Know what you want to say but when you
practice, make every version different. That way when it's time to be articulate, the words
just flow, and you aren't stumbling over your words.
 Remember it's not a pageant.
 Take a moment to think about what you want to say. Don't sit in silence for 30 seconds,
but also don't just start talking as soon as they stop. Take about 5-7 seconds and think
about the question. 
 Try not to talk too long. Once you've answered the question, stop talking. Don't say so
much that they can't figure out if you've answered the question or not. When we are
nervous, it's easy to just keep talking and talking but this can quickly turn into a
negative. 
 Make a list of all skills that you are proficient in that relate to the job.
 Know the key lab diagnostic for sepsis
 Know ACLS
 Give a measurable accomplishment in your experience and apply it to how you can help
this department
 Make your answers measurable.
 Show leadership and compassion when you speak. 
  Practice critical care/situational questions
o ex. your patient comes back from surgery is starting to have chest pain.
 What are possible causes, interventions, labs, doctor orders and why those
interventions/orders.
 Know chest tubes, hypoglycemia, and sepsis.
 ICU specific wise know these like the back of your hand.
o ACLS
o SEPSIS
o Stroke
o STEMI
o DKA
o Internal hemorrhage

Questions
Most questions will be the basic interview questions which are also challenging

ABOUT YOU
 Tell me about yourself
o PRESENT
 What you’re doing/who you are now
o PAST
 What you did before to make you qualified
o FUTURE
 What you want to do in the future based off of what you’ve done in the
past
 Why you went into nursing
o Why you went into nursing (pre-nursing school)
o Why you STAYED in nursing (an example from school where you thought “oh
shit, okay, this is why I’m doing what I’m doing”)
 What is most important to you in a unit?
o As a new graduate, the most important thing in a unit would be….
 A preceptor or mentor that I can learn from
 Ample training
 Healthy unit culture, being able to ask questions and get advice from more
experienced nurses, providers, and members of the care team
 What is most important when selecting a new graduate program?
 What do you bring to the team? Why you?
o Brag about your teamwork, your excellent communication, your dedication to
safety and positive unit culture.
 What are your greatest strengths?
 What are your weaknesses?
 What is your greatest achievement/experience?
 What type of environment do you prefer?
 How would your boss or co-workers describe you?
  How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?
 Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your career goals?

HOSPITAL
 What do you know about our hospital?
 Why do you want to work here?
 What values that our facility holds do you see in yourself?
 How can you contribute to our mission?

UNIT
 WHY DO YOU WANT THIS UNIT RELATIVE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS?
o Why am you drawn to that specific area?
o Informed decision as to why you want to work there
 How do you see yourself functioning in this unit?
 How will you contribute to the success of the unit?
 As a new grad, what do you think will be the biggest challenges to starting off in an
acute care/this position?

EXPERIENCES
 Customer service type questions
 Scenario questions
 A time you made a mistake
 A time you had a conflict with a peer and how you handled it
 A time you had a conflict with a supervisor and how you handled it
 A time you felt overwhelmed
 A time you gave great service
 A time when you had a difficult patient/family member how you handled it
 What does customer service in nursing look like to you?
 Your experience working as a team member
 A time where you realized that nursing is what you are meant to do
 When/how you realized this unit is where you want to be

RANDOMS I REMEMBER
 Leadership qualities nurses must have
 Leadership qualities you’ve learned from your parents
 Qualities important in life
 How do you handle stress in your everyday life?

Questions to Ask Them

o What is most important to you as you fill this position.

o What do you expect from a new graduate nurse?
o Are there opportunities to expand my license and knowledge, such as in-services or
continuing education credits?
o Are there opportunities for nurses to get involved with the community through the
hospital?
o If a Magnet hospital—“I see that you’re a Magnet hospital, which is an incredible
achievement. What do you personally think makes your hospital such a great place for
nurses to work and develop their careers?”