How I Aced My First Nursing Interview: 8 Tips for Success
Let's take a step back: I just passed my NCLEX and received the official email declaring me a Registered Nurse. Overwhelmed with joy, I realized all my effort and hard work had finally paid off.
But soon after, the idea of sitting in front of a panel of interviewers, brought a wave of anxiety in my chest. I was excited and scared at the same time. I remember texting my friends who are also nurses and I asked them how they prepared for their job interviews.
If you’re thinking well I don’t really have a lot of friends who are already nurses here in Canada. No worries, I got you! In this post, I’ll discuss 8 valuable tips that helped me prepare for my very first nursing interview!
But before we dive in, I want to say congratulations as you have achieved the first step of success! Now, it’s time to take the next step in your nursing career? It's time to nail that interview and land your dream job! 💪🩺
Dress to impress! 👗
First, impression is very important as they last and it sets the tone of your interview. Your outfit should be professional, clean, and appropriate for a healthcare setting. Remember, first impressions count! When you take time to dress up in a professional manner, it sends the message that you are serious about the role you are applying for.
2. Do your homework! 📚
What helps me feel confident when I go for any job interview is knowing that I spent a good amount of time learning about the role I applied for. Depending how familiar I am with the company and the job position, I usually spend between 1-3 days researching the organization/company I am interviewing with. I suggest familiarizing yourself with their mission, values, and recent achievements. Jot down your own notes how their mission and values aligns with your own. Doing your homework shows your enthusiasm and dedication and will definitely score you some points during your interview.
3. Showcase your skills and experience! ✨
You know all those times that you received a compliment or kind words from someone? maybe from a patient? supervisor? coworker? This is the time to remember all those moment and speak highly of yourself and be proud of your achievements! Be prepared to discuss your clinical rotations, any relevant certifications, any improvements you’ve suggested in the unit you were working in and any special projects or initiatives you've been involved in during your nursing career. Important tip: every time you’ve done something great or received a praise or a compliment from a patient, nursing instructor, or your nursing manager write it down. As these notes will come in handy when you go for nursing interviews or when asking for a promotion.
4. Practice, practice, practice! 🗣️
Confidence comes from repetition! Mock interviews can help you feel more confident and comfortable answering common nursing interview questions. You can look up nursing interview questions online and practice answering them with a friend. Prepare responses that highlight your strengths and demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations.
5. Demonstrate your passion for nursing! ❤️
What makes you stand out from others is your personal stories and experiences. Sharing your story and experiences that ignited your desire to become a nurse can make you more memorable. Show that you're genuinely passionate about patient care and making a positive impact on people's lives!
6. Be a team player! 🤝
Nursing is a collaborative profession, so highlight your ability to work effectively in a team environment. Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills. Share some personal stories about situations when you showed up as a team player. The more specific and personal, the better!
7. Ask questions! 🤔
Interviewers appreciate candidates asking questions as it shows that you are genuinely interested working in their unit and hospital. Prepare a list of thoughtful questions about the unit, patient population or professional development opportunities that you might be interested in. Write it all down before your interview so you won’t forget any of them. And then pull it out at the end of the interview. I did this during one of my job interviews and the interviewers told me how impressed they were by my list of questions!
8. Follow up with gratitude! 🙏
Don’t forget to send a thank-you email or note to your interviewer(s) expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. It shows professionalism and leaves a lasting impression.
Remember, success comes from preparation and being true to yourself. Believe in your abilities, and let your passion for nursing shine through! You've got this! Good luck on your nursing interview!
Would love to know how it went for you! Message me how your first nursing job interview went at nursingcollectiveco@gmail.com so we can celebrate your success! 🎉
