Preparing for a nursing interview

RN interviews usually include a few kinds of questions. Most open with 'tell me about yourself.' The answer is a short summary of training, the unit the candidate wants, and one example from clinical work.

Behavioral questions ask about past events. Common ones are 'Tell me about a time you made a mistake' and 'Describe a conflict with a coworker.' Interviewers use them to see how a nurse handles stress, errors and teamwork.

Scenario questions describe a patient and ask what the nurse would do. A typical one asks what to do first when two patients need help at once. Interviewers listen for safe priorities, such as checking airway, breathing and circulation first. They also listen for when the nurse would call the charge nurse or the provider.

A clear way to answer behavioral questions is to describe the situation, the action and the result. The situation sets the scene in one or two sentences. The action explains what the nurse did and why. For the result, describe what happened to the patient or the team.

New graduates can draw these examples from clinical rotations. For example, a student may have noticed a change in a patient's vital signs and reported it to the nurse in charge. Another example is teaching a patient to use an inhaler before discharge. Each story should end with what the student learned.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) and ADN graduates face the same interview questions. Interviewers ask both groups about clinical judgment, safety and teamwork. Anyone still choosing a program can compare the BSN and ADN routes.

Most nursing interviews call for business professional dress. This means a suit, or dress pants or a skirt with a collared shirt or blouse. Clean, closed-toe shoes, neat hair and little jewelry or scent suit a clinical setting. Scrubs are worn only when the employer asks, such as for a shadow shift on the unit.

Candidates should bring copies of the resume, a list of references and certification cards such as CPR. Licensed nurses bring their license number. Employers verify the license with state boards of nursing, often through an online license lookup. New graduates bring their NCLEX-RN test date or their authorization to test.

Ask who helps a new nurse on a busy night and what happens when the unit is short. The answer shows how much support a new nurse gets from the charge nurse and managers. Candidates can also ask how long orientation lasts and whether the hospital offers a residency for new graduates. These programs often pair the new nurse with a preceptor for several weeks before the nurse works alone.

Ratios and scheduling are common questions as well. Candidates can ask how many patients a nurse usually cares for on each shift. They can ask how often nurses float to other units and what training comes before floating. Questions about shift length, weekends and holidays help compare offers across nursing employers and settings.