You’ve made it to the last hurdle on your journey to nursing. You have the degree, you’ve done the training and you’re registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Now all that’s left is nailing your first job interview.
After all your hard work and study, you’d hope this would be a walk in the park. However, aspiring nurses can be tripped up at the interview, simply because they are unprepared.
You have a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience at this stage. But you might not be able to articulate this into applicable, impactful responses when questioned. Or you may have overlooked important areas of research that you could be asked about on the day.
You’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where you are now. Making the effort to prepare and practice for your interview is equally as important. It could be the difference in you securing your ideal position or losing it to another applicant.
Read our interview tips for nursing applicants to help you stand out against the competition and leave a lasting impression.
Don’t Come Empty Handed
Make a good first impression by turning up to the interview with copies of your important paperwork for each interviewer.
You’ve sent your resume with your application, but that doesn’t guarantee each interviewer will have it to hand. Plus, there are other things you can include that would be impressive for them to review and provide discussion points.
Check how many interviewers will be in attendance ahead of time. Even if you’ll be interviewed one-on-one, this is still worthwhile. Organise folders including a copy of your resume, details of your nursing degree, any other certifications you have, letters of reference and a form of ID with your image on.
Have one for each interviewer and one for yourself, so you can all review your documents together. This makes you look prepared for the occasion. It also shows off your additional capabilities and lets the interviewer see how others perceive your skills.
Don’t forget to bring a pen and notepad too. By taking notes while you listen to the interviewer, you’ll remember important points to discuss and it shows you’re interested.
Do Your Research
Besides checking where you’re going and who you’re meeting on the day, you need to research the organisation in detail. Interviewers may well ask what you know about the place you hope to work. And what exactly you’ve done to find out more about it.
They may ask if you’ve visited the unit ahead of the interview. Whether you know much about the area it’s located in and any associated public health problems. Or what you know about the organisation itself.
Responding with a blank stare is both an awkward moment for you and a frustrating one for the interviewer. Be sure to arm yourself with some interesting facts beforehand so you can show you’ve taken a genuine interest. It’s also wise to brush up on anything topical in the field at the time. Such as medical developments or issues they may ask your opinion on.
Get prepared by searching online for relevant articles, journals or blogs. You could also speak with the personnel department as they may provide you with information on the organisation.
Practice Answering Questions
Many applicants flounder under the pressure of interview questions because they haven’t practised their answers. You don’t know what exactly you’ll be asked until the day, but you can get better prepared ahead of time.
Many common questions are asked in nursing interviews. It only takes a quick online search to bring up lists of ones that have been used previously.
You need to practice as many of these as possible. But taking care to ensure your answers fit with what the interviewer is looking for. This takes a bit of research and reading between the lines of what the question is asking.
Read over the job description and review the organisation’s website. This will help you spot specific traits and standards they are looking for. Plus any mindsets or values they portray.
Make a list of these and consider ways you would align yourself with them. Then consider questions that might be asked of you and how you would respond. Think about what exactly each question is trying to determine.
Some examples are:
Tell me about yourself?
This is less about your hobbies and more about how you display the qualities mentioned in the job ad.
Consider your attributes, personal morals and standards, and how they align with those of the organisation. They may be asking for someone who strives for excellence in the workplace. If this is you, tell them about how you’ve demonstrated this in your placements so far.
Be prepared to back up your statements with examples. The interviewer will want to check you’re not just saying what they want to hear.
Why do you want to become a Nurse?
This question aims to understand what nursing means to you outside of paying the bills.
Nursing is a challenging and strenuous profession. The interviewer wants to make sure there is a deep-set reason you want to immerse yourself in the role. Think about why nursing speaks to you as a career and if possible, back it up with a story.
For instance, aspiring mental health nurses may have experienced the effects of mental health issues in a loved one. This may be the reason they sought to help others in their treatment and ease their suffering.
If possible, link your answer to the programmes provided within the unit. Also, consider ways your story could tick off some of the desirable traits they’re looking for. Remember to keep it truthful, as much as you want to impress, a fake example can be easy to unravel.
How would you handle a difficult patient?
Difficult patients are an everyday occurrence in nursing. People can be going through extremely challenging times while seeking medical care. Besides showing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, interviewers want to see empathy for patients in your answer.
Overall, remember that good answers are specific and draw on real life examples.
Ask Them Questions
In 99.9% of interviews, you will be asked if you have questions for the interviewer. This isn’t just them being polite, it’s an opportunity for you to demonstrate your value as a candidate.
By asking them considered questions, you’ll show you’re confident in taking the reins and have an interest in the job. It also gives you the chance to find out important information about your potential employer.
Put together a list of questions you’re genuinely interested in asking them. Centre some around the role, but don’t be afraid to ask them challenging questions too. After all, you’ll hopefully be working for them for a long time. It’s only natural you want to make sure it’s the right environment for you.
Questions you could ask are:
- What kind of training do you provide?
- How would you describe the team culture?
- What do the other nurses like most about working here?
- How do you measure nursing success?
- What is your management style?
- How do you support your team in their roles?
These are just some of the ways you can make sure you’re ready to impress at your nursing job interview. Read our blog for more ways to prepare and answer difficult questions.
If you want to become a nurse but you don’t have the relevant qualifications to start your training, we can help.
Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading online course providers. Helping thousands of people achieve their academic and professional ambitions every year.
To learn more about an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) online course, click the link below.
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