Unbelievably Discouraged..Please help!!!

I have been out of school as an RN for a year now and have been working at a urgent care place for six months. My dream is to be a nurse in the hospital, but I have been applying like everyday to several posiitions and never got an interview until recently. I actually got three one right after another. Each interview I prepared like crazy. I looked at common interview questions and thought of what I might say to them. I even researched and reviewed the textbook about what I could encounter on the floor. The problem is I pretty much have a social phobia, usually only when I feel like i'm being judged in some way. So, I can't hardly think straight and sometimes fumble over my words and can't even remember what I studied cause my mind feels cloudy from pure stress and anxiety. Its really bad and there is honestly nothing I can do about it. I think some of my answers seemed real intelligent but I'm sure they could tell i was nervous and just didn't want me so they only asked like three questions. But I mean I don't even know what type answers they are expecting to begin with. If I did that would help a lot. The main thing is, if they only knew how great of a nurse I can be and how truly hard working I am they would definitely hire me. But they just never get to see who I really am just because I can't make a good first impression. Now I feel like I will never get a hospital job. I just don't know what to do because my personality and who I am will always be the same no matter how hard I try to change it. I guess what I want to ask is what do these interviewers want you to say to them? what are some specific things they like to hear? because I am completely clueless. If I ever get over being so nervous then having the correct answers would be great. Thank you so much for any help or advice of any kind.
Any interview is simply an opportunity to sell yourself. If you are a good nurse, you need to say so! Have examples of what makes you a good nurse, think of some situations where you really demonstrated your skill and practice talking about them, have some solid examples that you are comfortable discussing and use them in your interviews. Practice deep breathing before you go in, you are a nurse, you know what to do

There is more than one right answer to the dreaded interview questions. I feel most are just to see how well you think on your toes and handle yourself in an uncomfortable setting.. Try not to focus so much on the questions. Just relax and say "good question" take a breath and then answer.. They want to see you come out in the questions asked. At least this has been my experience. Hopefully others will post and give you their point of view on it.. Did you get a rejection from all 3, if not how do you know it was that bad? We tend to be harder on ourselves than others. I am sure a lot of us felt like the interview went bad during one part or another or should have said this instead of that... Ask a friend to "grill" you like a mock interview and let them come up with the questions and you just respond without preparation and see how that works.. You might be so hyper-focused you are forgetting to be you during the interview..

*hugs*

Do you have anyone you could practice with? It sounds like with your social phobia you need to role play if you have someone that can work with you. You could write the questions and would get you thinging about all the possibilities. Good luck.

To help you with your interviews, you might want to google the Johns Hopkins Interview Guide. It is specific to nursing and it gives suggestions about how to answer those tough questions. Also, many colleges offer mock interviews through the Career Services office. They will critique you and give you suggestions to help you improve.That being said, are you sure you aren't just being hard on yourself? As someone who spent a year and half after graduating searching for a first job, I know how the rejection can get to you. Have you actually heard back about these positions? Are they definitely filled? If someone else was offered the position, it may have been because of more relevant experience or networking contacts or something else that really is not your fault.I do think it is a great idea to work on your interview skills. I think most of us probably feel this way after interviews, as previous posters suggested. At the same time, try not to beat yourself up. I think worrying about this too much may be self-defeating because you will start to consider yourself terrible at interviews and as a result you will feel more nervous. Focus on your strengths and try not to take rejection personally.I know that this is easier said than done. After so much rejection, I was really starting to feel like an all-around loser. Please try not to think that way. The fact that you landed three interviews is actually pretty amazing. That is more than I had in a year and a half! You are halfway there. Keep practicing. The right position will come along sooner or later and you will achieve your goal.

Don't everyone jump up and scream but have you been evaluated by mental health and got a real name for what you have and if so perhaps a PRN med that can take the edge off.Or maybe you could get counseling for this and learn some coping strategies/methods of handling this concern. Diet, exercise, sleep etc... are all important for good mental health. Nothing wrong with seeing someone about it.

Quote from clemoiAny interview is simply an opportunity to sell yourself. If you are a good nurse, you need to say so! Have examples of what makes you a good nurse, think of some situations where you really demonstrated your skill and practice talking about them, have some solid examples that you are comfortable discussing and use them in your interviews. Practice deep breathing before you go in, you are a nurse, you know what to do

I ask them, what are they looking for. What are their needs . ThenI can adapt to them. And just be yourself. Take your time. Bring notesto help you remember key points and questions to ask. Oh and have fun and be positive.

Tyvin has asked the key question; have you been diagnosed as phobic? If so, you will need intensive counselling, possibly psychotherapy, to help you beat it. Phobias produce identifiable symptoms similar to panic attacks. Sometimes they are so bad that the sufferer freezes and is unable to move or speak. I sincerely hope you are not phobic, as it will take some hard work to get on top of it-ask any claustrophobe or agoraphobe!It can be that you are excessively shy, or afraid of making a fool of yourself. Perhaps you should do some self-examination and try to find what may have triggered this; it may have been a traumatic or highly embarrassing incident in your childhood or adolescence, or simply that you led a very sheltered life and were not encouraged to voice your own opinions. I suggest you speak to a professional about this; either an experienced counsellor or psychologist. No advice regarding interview tips will help you if you can't get past your own fears.

Quote from Christine Cameron-DoTyvin has asked the key question; have you been diagnosed as phobic? If so, you will need intensive counselling, possibly psychotherapy, to help you beat it. Phobias produce identifiable symptoms similar to panic attacks. Sometimes they are so bad that the sufferer freezes and is unable to move or speak. I sincerely hope you are not phobic, as it will take some hard work to get on top of it-ask any claustrophobe or agoraphobe!It can be that you are excessively shy, or afraid of making a fool of yourself. Perhaps you should do some self-examination and try to find what may have triggered this; it may have been a traumatic or highly embarrassing incident in your childhood or adolescence, or simply that you led a very sheltered life and were not encouraged to voice your own opinions. I suggest you speak to a professional about this; either an experienced counsellor or psychologist. No advice regarding interview tips will help you if you can't get past your own fears.