Finally a job interview for a new grad!!!!

Hello All,


I am a California RN that graduated in December in 2009 with my BSN. I have spent the last months looking for a job! (so,old news) But I finally got an interview at a hospital that is hour drive from me. I passed the prelimenary assesment and got selected for the panel interview! Its this Friday and I am so nervous!! I've never had this type of interview! So i dont know what to expect, I was told it will be with the Chief Nursing officer, and the hiring directors of each floor, that will last for thirty minutes. Thoughts from anyone how to prepare? How did you stay calm in an interview like this? anybody have good questions to ask? or any good websites to look? or perhaps any good books on problem solving tactics....( I know thats silly but my problem solving skills are not up to par and I know this is vital) Please help! I really need this my poor boyfriend, can not keep paying my bills . I appreciate any constructive feedback from all you caring nurses
A LITTLE HOPE for new grads out here in CA
Hello, I am unable to reply to PM. The prelimenary assesment is a tool some hospitals use to weed out their applicants. For this specific hospital, I received a call back after I applied for the position. They asked me to come in and complete an assesment. But this was an hour away so I requested via email. The test was timed for sixty minutes about 60 questions. The questions varied from scenario based questions along the lines of how would you react to this, or rank your response scale 1-5 agree, etc...

Sry, I can't really give you advice since I never had a panel interview. Just wanted to say Congrats though! I'd say just be professional, smile, and be yourself & try your best! good luck!

A few questions I encountered at my interview, in Dec. 09 with 2 managers included: Tell us what you'd do if you walk into a pt room and they are on the floor?, Your pt's potassium level is 3.0 - what do you do?. I was also asked questions about why I chose nursing, what are my weaknesses, what my long term goals are for my career. I asked questions to the managers that involved scheduling, continuing education requirements/opportunities, and I did ask the managers how they ended up being nurse managers (asked them to tell me about their nursing careers). Remember to SMILE, talk yourself UP!!! (but don't lie), take the time to think before you speak, be aware of your language (avoid words such as 'LIKE' and 'UMMM'), and don't sit before the panel member sits. There were many more questions involved in my interview but this is all I can recall at the moment & yes I got the job. Good luck!