Heading out on your first interview after nursing school is a big deal. Getting prepared is your number one priority. And what better way to do that than by studying the new grad nurse interview questions you’re most likely to be asked.
You’ll impress every hiring manager you meet with if you study these questions and prepare to put your best foot forward.
The Most Popular New Grad Nurse Interview Questions
When it comes to the interview process, there are several questions you’re likely to be asked. These include situational, behavioral, and experience related questions.
No matter the question type, they’re all designed to tell the hiring manager who you are and your work style.
Here are some of the questions you can expect to be asked.
What Made You Want To Become A Nurse?
Becoming a nurse is a big deal. Your hiring manager wants to know what inspired you to pursue such a high-pressure career.
Your reasons for becoming a nurse let them know if you’ll fit in with the culture of the company and your coworkers. It also provides insight into what drives you on a personal level.
Do You Have Any Certifications or Specialities?
This is your chance to shine some light on all that hard work you’ve done. Come prepared with a list of additional nursing certifications and any specialties you focused on.
A question like this can be what sets you apart from other candidates. Don’t be afraid to highlight your relevant accomplishments.
How do you deal with workplace stress?
It’s no surprise that being a nurse comes with a lot of stress. It’s important to companies that you know how to deal with it in a way that makes sense to you.
Whether it’s yoga practice, therapy, or long jogs — let them know what you do to put your head back into a positive place. While many companies provide benefits to help, it’s also important that you realize you need to take care of yourself.
This question also gives hiring managers an idea of how you manage stress and your reaction to difficult situations.
Describe how clinical rotations prepared you for a career in nursing?
Clinical rotations are a huge aspect of nursing training. Hiring managers want to know what your main takeaways from this training were and how it helped you prepare for real-world practice.
Make a list of key areas where clinicals increased your experience and how you believe it will help you in your career. Have a few different examples ready to go!
Have you ever dealt with a difficult patient? How did you handle it?
As a new nurse, this might not be something you’ve experienced. But don’t let that stop you from having a prepared answer.
Think back to your training or your personal experiences in a medical situation with a loved one. When the pressure is on, how would you want to be treated? Pull your answer from a place of personal experience. Even if it’s not a professional setting.
With these new grad nursing interview questions in mind, you can take on anything.
A career in nursing is so exciting! And with one interview down, you’re well on your say to your first job. With these questions in mind, we know you’ll do great!