Preparing for Your RN Interview
Whether searching for your first nursing job or switching to a new field within nursing, interviewing well is an essential and required part of your career journey. RN interviews are opportunities for candidates and employers to determine if the position is a good fit. While interviews can be conducted in several different styles, a little preparation can boost your confidence and increase your chances of success.
Resume and Networking for RNs
As a professional RN, you can start building your resume and network immediately. Prior to graduation, begin creating your RN resume and keep it updated. Your resume is likely the first chance to make a good impression on your potential employer. During nursing school, you will have the opportunity to shadow and work with RNs at the bedside. The primary goal here is education, but it is also a chance to create professional connections. Student nurses commonly apply for positions in units they visited during school, and the successful students worked hard and left a good impression during their time as a student. If you are passionate about caring for patients in a certain area, you can humbly let your preceptors (the professional RNs you shadow and learn from) know that you’re very excited to learn more and are considering applying to their unit after graduation. Utilizing a virtual network, such as LinkedIn, can also help you foster and maintain your professional network. Instructors and mentors can be vital links to future coworkers and managers. Imagine that you are always interviewing – bringing your best attitude and effort to each clinical and class.
You can further prepare yourself for the application and interview processes at any time, even if you aren’t sure where you want to work as an RN, by following these tips:
- Revisit your resume frequently and keep it updated.
- Track earned certifications and memberships in professional organizations, either digitally or with hard copies neatly filed in your home.
- Keep a personal log to record experiences from nursing school clinicals or work experience, including accomplishments and projects that demonstrate success, teamwork, and accountability. By reviewing these notes before interviews and performance assessments, you will boost your confidence and can easily provide examples when asked for them. (Please note that your personal records should not include any identifying information about patients. If you are ever investigated by a legal team regarding patient care, you may be asked if you keep a journal or diary.)
- Draft a ten-year career plan, even if it is not specific yet. Outlining your goals on a timeline is the first step to taking action to accomplish them. Employers often ask about your future goals, as you’ll read below, and “I don’t know” isn’t the best option.
Application and Interview for RN Positions
Employers often utilize a digital platform for applications. You will most likely have to log into a website and add your resume details to a form, and then upload your resume too! Though it may seem redundant, the process is required and more efficient for employers. Your application should be accurate and free of errors. If no personal statement is requested, consider uploading a cover letter to demonstrate your personability, professionalism, and passion for this specific opportunity. When the employer reaches out to schedule the interview, reply promptly and professionally, regardless of who calls you. Once your interview has been scheduled, it’s time to start preparing for a smooth, successful interview!
Make sure you understand your potential employer’s mission and services offered. If interviewing with a hospital, a quick search online will let you know if they care for stroke or heart attack patients, if they are private or public, and how many patients they serve. Write down a few questions about the employer’s vision, culture, or community involvement, as the interview is also an opportunity for you to ensure this is a good fit for your personal goals.
What to Wear to a Nursing Interview
The interviewer’s goal is not only to assess your skills, experience, and demeanor but also to determine if you can represent the organization with a professional and approachable look. A strong candidate will be ready to work with patients from all backgrounds and cultures and represent the employer in the best possible light.
- Wear clothes that are clean and well-fitting. Business casual attire is typically appropriate. Scrubs are not appropriate for candidates to wear. Appropriate options for tops include collared shirts, sweaters, or nice blouses (no cleavage, please). Matching one of those with coordinating dress pants or a skirt of appropriate length would create an appropriate look. Please wear closed-toe shoes in all healthcare environments. Clothes should be free of wrinkles.
- Keep jewelry, accessories, and scents to a minimum.
- Present a neat, groomed appearance, including trimmed and clean nails.
- Consider covering tattoos and removing visible non-ear piercings until you are familiar with the employer’s policies.
The Day of Your RN Interview
Here’s a quick checklist to keep you calm and collected on this exciting day:
- Check your email for any last-minute changes to the interview time or place.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early, with sufficient time to navigate the hospital campus. Interviewers typically will be at the venue and ready before the scheduled appointment time. Anticipate two to three interviewers unless you have been otherwise informed.
- Bring a pen, notepad, and extra copies of your resume and references.
- Remember your primary contact’s name (including spelling and pronunciation).
- Turn off or silence mobile phone ringers and notifications.
What to Say in a Nursing Interview
Start your interview with a smile and a firm handshake. Introduce yourself and say, “Thank you for your time today. I’m excited to learn more.” Or something similar that feels natural to you.
Many interviewers start the interview with a version of “Tell us more about yourself.” Be prepared with a statement that is short and impactful, and expect some follow-up questions. Draw on your experiences (perhaps the ones recorded in your journal – see above) and be personable. These questions are designed to check if you’re a good fit for the organization. Good examples of information to share could include:
- Short sentence of why you are interviewing for this job
- Highlight of work or volunteer experiences
- Experiences that have shaped you as a nurse
- Example of who you are outside of work, if interested in sharing
The best interview is a conversational dialogue between the interviewer and the candidate. Keep reading to see more example questions. Remember that, overall, your tone of voice and body language can greatly influence the success of your interview:
- When talking, lean forward slightly and maintain natural eye contact.
- Smile genuinely when appropriate.
- Do not use slang or foul language.
- Focus on positive skills and attributes.
- Be open, transparent, and honest when answering. It is okay to say, “I don’t know.” But you’ll need to frame it with something like, “Honestly, I’m surprised, but I don’t have that information. I am absolutely willing to learn more about that in the near future.” The most qualified applicants are open to learning from mistakes. Teachability is a great quality in new employees, especially new graduates.
- Nervousness is natural and will lessen or disappear with time and practice.
Employers will also give you an opportunity to ask questions about the position, the unit, and the organization. Some questions to consider asking include:
- How long is orientation? Which shifts are included?
- Will I have one or multiple preceptors during orientation?
- Is there additional education or unit-specific classes for new graduates?
- What are typical patient ratios?
- What are the scheduling requirements (nights, weekends, holidays)?
- Is there mandatory overtime?
- How would you describe the culture here?
- Do you offer tuition reimbursement?
- What are the challenges that nurses typically encounter?
- Is there a mentorship program?
- When can I expect to hear back regarding a hiring decision?
Closing the interview professionally leaves a great final impression. At the end of the interview, you should:
- Thank the interviewer for their time and express gratitude for the opportunity to meet.
- Say, “I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
- Shake hands with all interviewers while maintaining eye contact.
- Send a thank you card in the mail once you return home.
10 Examples of RN Interview Questions and Answer Tips
These questions have been asked in RN interviews before. The answers below are a starting point for you to personalize to accurately reflect your thoughts and experiences. Good luck!
“Why do you want to be a nurse, specifically in this unit?”
“I enjoy working with patients and their families to help them get through a challenging time while respecting their wishes and dignity. I’ve found that working with stroke patients is really rewarding for me. I’m also very interested in how the brain works and changes over time and with treatment.”
“Describe your least favorite task as a nurse.”
“Charting, while necessary, can feel like it’s taking time away from the patients. I’m becoming more efficient every day, and I like to chart at the bedside. Some patients and families appreciate that extra time in the room, as I let them know what I’m doing and that they can interrupt me at any time with questions.”
“Where do you see yourself in two years? In five years?”
“I’d love to work in a hospital that gives me opportunities to take on interesting jobs, work with experienced nurses, and also keep developing my overall nursing skills. In five years, I think I would enjoy precepting students/being a charge nurse/being a nurse educator in this unit.”
“Are you comfortable working with other nurses and physicians?”
“Yes, I work quite well with others on the healthcare team. We’re all working toward the same goal, and I can adapt quickly and advocate for my patients when needed. I take pride in being able to work with others well, but I am also comfortable taking initiative when it’s appropriate.”
“How have you handled a hostile patient?”
“In my limited experience, I’ve been able to resolve a few situations by listening quietly to the patient, slowing down, and letting them know we’ve heard them and are going to do something differently moving forward.”
“How do you handle stress in the workplace?”
“I’ve learned to react to the situation rather than to the stress. If I look at things in this way, I can better handle the situation without becoming overwhelmed. It’s a good way to remove stress or frustration from the equation.”
“Why do you want to work for our organization?”
“I did some research on the hospital and really like your mission statement and vision of leadership. You strive to work with impoverished communities and are a real presence in the community. This kind of mission statement is important to me personally, and I would love to be a part of that vision going forward.”
“What would your coworkers say if I asked them to describe you?”
“I’m very confident that they would speak well of me. They’d say that I work hard and have a lot of passion for my patients. I also advocate for my coworkers and show appreciation for the support they give me.”
“How do you handle conflict or a disagreement with a physician?”
“It depends on the situation. I usually step back and try to look at the situation more objectively. I stay calm and professional, and I’m aware of who to contact next if we can’t resolve the issue amongst ourselves.”
“Why are you the best person for this job?”
“I believe that a good nurse embodies the right combination of intelligence, empathy, and skill to process this job. There’s a lot to manage. I believe I have these qualities, and I’m committed to improving them as I continue my work as a nurse.”
More Resources for Future and Current RNs
