How to answer the 10 year goal question??

I'm getting ready to have my first nursing interview & I am preparing for any questions I may be asked....I am prepared to discuss what my 5 year goal is, but am stumped on a 10 year goal! Do they want to know about my personal life (married/kids) or strictly professional? Help! I don't want to say charge nurse/nurse manager because it will look like I'm shooting to take their job right?
I would give the most honest answer you can give:Nursing has shown a fast paced pattern of evolution. 10 years ago, we did not have computer charting, linked charts, or radiographs online. We couldn't text page our docs for alerts. We didn't carry hospital provided cell phones on our person as the main way to communicate with our patients. We didn't have scanners for med passes. We didn't have mobile computers. These changes just began to become widely used within the past 7 years. If you chose nursing BECAUSE of the many avenues our profession offers, state such and simply say that you are looking forward to embracing and implementing the many changes that will no doubt be present in 10 years. There is nothing wrong with stating that you would like to pursue a certification in your field, or that in 10 years, you would like to become involved with hospital wide committees to improve the practice of nursing on a larger scale in your facility.This answer shows that you understand that nursing is a constantly evolving and developing profession. It also doesn't pigeonhole you into a specific job; but rather represents your "big picture" mentality. You want to convey to the person interviewing you that you are serious about nursing as a career and furthermore want to contribute to the facility itself. Just my two cents. Hope the interview goes well!

Your first nursing interview?Your "personal" 10-year goals - fine! Marriage, kids, mortgage-free house, be respected as a fiddle-player, win the local fly-fishing trophy and have my poems published. Great - you have a life outside of nursing and you will bring lots of personal reality to your job.If I were interviewing a new nurse and she/he gave a super-ambitious "professional" reply to the "10 -year question", I would think: "yeah, yeah, yeah, right......page 6 in the pamphlet "How to succeed at an Interview".....another one who just isn't real".As canesdukegirl said, there are huge changes in our profession. Also, there will be huge changes in you after working in our profession for a few years. Your priorities will change, your sympathies will change, your politics will change, your interests will change, you will change - in ways you cannot yet imagine.In the years ahead of you, you may decide on a specific, narrow clinical specialisation that grips your interest, or management, or education, or union militancy, or missionary work, or patient advocacy, or hairdressing.Seriously, whoever thought of the "10-year question" hasn't a clue about nursing.

Do NOT tell them you want to be a union militant.

Don't include family matters; it's strictly a question to see where you want to be professionally speaking. Are you looking to advance at the place you're applying to? Are you going to be satisfied staying in the position you are applying for long term etc... or are there other slots at the place you might be interested in later on etc... Basically they want to see if you'll be there long or are your goals such that there facility cannot accommodate.Another thing; how do you know there's going to be a 10 year question? That sounds well ... as others have said. Seriously, how do you know that is one of the questions?

Quote from tyvinAnother thing; how do you know there's going to be a 10 year question? That sounds well ... as others have said. Seriously, how do you know that is one of the questions?

Quote from dudette10Page 6 of the "How to Succeed in an Interview" pamphlet says so...

Y'all are too funny. Hey Mickey, can you give me some tips on catching that big game fish next time I deploy my downriggers?!?!I think that the OP is just preparing herself for any questions that may be asked during her interview. Although I have never heard of the 10 year question (outside of my pre-marital counselor), I suppose anything is possible.OP, as long as you address the changes that nursing entails and don't place yourself in a specific job (i.e., "I want to be the next Nurse Manager for this unit!"), you should be fine. Remember that employers are looking for candidates that express interest in the facility as well as the improvement of nursing practice as a whole.

Thanks SO much for the awesome feedback! Its great! I'm not positive they will be asking this question, but have read a few blogs that state these are the type of questions being asked in interviews these days. Its better to be prepared than try to stumble through any answer and blow my chances. This is my first interview and it would amazing if I got the position!!!!! Thx again!!

Quote from canesdukegirlY'all are too funny. Hey Mickey, can you give me some tips on catching that big game fish next time I deploy my downriggers?!?!I think that the OP is just preparing herself for any questions that may be asked during her interview. Although I have never heard of the 10 year question (outside of my pre-marital counselor), I suppose anything is possible.OP, as long as you address the changes that nursing entails and don't place yourself in a specific job (i.e., "I want to be the next Nurse Manager for this unit!"), you should be fine. Remember that employers are looking for candidates that express interest in the facility as well as the improvement of nursing practice as a whole.

I've heard of the 5 year goal....never a 10 year goal. If someone were to ask I would probably mention something pertaining to additional certification or schooling. I doubt they will want an answer that far in advance.

They are asking the question because they want to see if you're ambitious or not. They are asking about professional goals, so do not say anything about getting married and having kids. The best answer is to be somewhat vague but sound ambitious. For example:"Well I am not sure yet, but I may want to be in management so I might look into getting a master's degree, or I may want to transition into the ICU and focus my career in that clinical area" See how you're leaving it open but all options are ambitious ones?

I was such a dork at my interview lol. I literally answered with, "I just hope I get a 'Thank you!' once in a while!" I was nervous and had no idea what she wanted me to say, but that was my honest answer; granted, not a very intelligent one!However, I do think the best answer is the most honest answer. Usually, they are expecting something along the lines of where do you see yourself professionally, but it doesn't hurt to be silly (or flub) your answer if you're being honest and you show some personality.