DiversityNursing Blog

Entering the Nursing field is an exciting and rewarding journey, but the interview process can be daunting. Here are some strategies to help you excel in your Nursing interviews and secure your dream job.

Understand the Job Description

Before stepping into the interview room, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Review the skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required for the role. This will help you tailor your responses to demonstrate that you are the perfect fit for the position.

Tip: Highlight key phrases in the job description and think of specific examples from your experience that align with these requirements.

Research the Healthcare Facility

Take the time to research the healthcare facility where you’re interviewing. Understand its mission, values, culture, and any recent news or achievements. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you determine if the facility is a good fit for you.

Tip: Visit the facility's website, read their annual reports, and look for any recent press releases.

Prepare for Common Nursing Interview Questions

Nursing interviews often include a mix of behavioral, situational, and clinical questions. Prepare for common questions such as:

• Why did you choose Nursing as a career?
• How do you handle stressful situations?
• Can you describe a time when you dealt with a difficult patient?
• How do you prioritize tasks during a busy shift?

Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide clear, concise examples.

Showcase Your Soft Skills

In addition to clinical skills, soft skills like communication, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial in Nursing. Be prepared to discuss situations where you’ve demonstrated these qualities.

Tip: Think of specific instances where your soft skills made a difference in patient care or team dynamics.

Prepare Questions for the Interviewers

Having thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers shows your genuine interest in the position and the facility. Consider asking about:

• The facility's approach to patient care
• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education
• The team dynamics and work culture
• Challenges the unit is currently facing

Tip: Avoid asking questions that are easily answered by looking at the facility’s website or job description.

Dress Professionally and Arrive Early

First impressions matter. Dress in professional attire and aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This demonstrates your punctuality and respect for the interviewers' time.

Tip: Plan your route in advance and account for any potential traffic or transportation issues.

Bring Necessary Documents

Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, and any certifications or licenses relevant to the position. Having these documents on hand shows that you are organized and prepared.

Tip: Keep your documents in a professional folder or portfolio.

Practice Good Body Language

Your body language can convey confidence and enthusiasm. Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and sit up straight. Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms, as these can signal nervousness or defensiveness.

Tip: Practice your body language in front of a mirror or with a friend before the interview.

Follow Up with a Thank-You Note

After the interview, send a thank-you note or email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and reinforce your interest in the position.

Tip: Mention specific topics discussed during the interview to make your note more personalized and memorable.

Excelling in a Nursing interview requires thorough preparation, a clear understanding of the role, and the ability to showcase both your clinical and soft skills. By following these strategies, you'll be well on your way to making a lasting impression and securing the Nursing position you desire.

Best of luck in your interview preparation!

Hospitals across the country are implementing a range of innovative strategies to attract and recruit talented Nurses from their local communities. Here, are some effective methods to consider:

UC Davis Health, renowned for being named a top employer in California by Forbes, has devised an inclusive outreach and local recruitment plan to promote workforce diversity throughout the healthcare industry. This innovative approach is now receiving global attention through a new case study published in New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst's January 2024 issue.

"Diversity, equity and inclusion are core tenets of our recruitment strategies," said Lyndon Huling, interim lead for Talent Acquisition Unit and co-author of the case study. "We implement those values in our approach to outreach. We know that a diverse and local workforce cultivates innovation, improves patient outcomes and makes UC Davis Health an employer of choice."

"We wanted to use our presence in the community to increase local hiring," said Victoria Ngo, co-first author of the case study and postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis Health. "Targeting outreach to local Sacramento neighborhoods of concern is just one way the anchor institution mission is focusing its efforts in reducing disparities in the long term."

A 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment identified 10 ZIP codes within a 20-minute commute of UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento with the greatest socioeconomic and health needs. In response, UC Davis Health pledged to hire and invest in the communities within these ZIP codes.

Establish Educational Relationships with Local Universities

To establish strong connections with Nursing students, consider offering Nursing internships that provide valuable practical experience and college credit. By forging educational partnerships with local universities, you can provide top-tier students with the opportunity to intern at your organization, offering them a real-life glimpse into the rewarding world of your health system. These internships allow employers to thoroughly evaluate potential candidates, enabling them to select the best fit and streamline the hiring process.

Networking and Community Engagement

Get involved in local healthcare and community events to connect with potential candidates and expand your network. Take part in community outreach programs to spread awareness about the exciting Nursing opportunities available at your hospital.

Employee Referral Programs (ERPs)

Implementing a rewarding employee referral program motivates your current staff to recommend talented candidates. Show your appreciation by offering enticing incentives for successful referrals. A creative ERP not only boosts employee engagement and satisfaction, but also helps you retain employees and attract top-notch individuals to join your team.

Utilize Social Media

Harness the power of social media platforms to broadcast job opportunities in your area and captivate potential candidates. Showcase the hospital's vibrant work environment and let employee testimonials shine a spotlight on the positive culture.

Recruitment Events and Open Houses

One of the most extraordinary things about Nursing are the endless opportunities that lay at your feet the second you enter the profession. Here are some tips and advice to set you up for success in your Nursing career.

Continuing Education and Learning

Nursing is a dynamic career field with constant technological advancements and best practice updates. Nurses should strive to stay on top of industry trends by attending conferences, online classes, independent study programs, and on-the-job training.

Continuing education credits can ensure you stay updated with industry trends and broaden your skill set, making you stand apart from others in the job market. 

Nursing Specialization

Nursing specialization allows you to become an expert in a chosen area of interest within the Nursing profession. Registered Nurses can choose to become board-certified in various Nursing specialties, including but not limited to, Emergency Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Critical Care.  

Nurses who specialize in a specific area of Nursing can influence Nursing practice, education, and healthcare outcomes by sharing their expertise and patient care experience. Not only does pursuing a specialization look excellent on a resume, it also helps shape the healthcare industry's future and promote better patient care. 

Networking

Networking in Nursing can unlock unexpected and significant career opportunities. Networking contributes to personal growth and development within your career by allowing Nurses to connect with colleagues, mentors, and experts in the field to share knowledge and experience.

These connections provide Nurses with opportunities for learning from the experiences of others, developing professionally, and staying updated on advancements in healthcare. Becoming a member of a professional Nursing organization or association and finding a Nurse mentor are great ways to expand your network and unlock limitless career advancement.

Diversify and Seek New Experiences

A rich and productive work environment comprises diverse individuals with broad experience backgrounds. The best career candidates provide valuable experience and knowledge in different areas of Nursing practice.

To diversify your background and become an ideal career opportunity candidate, seek out new experiences to broaden your skills and knowledge by participating in volunteer opportunities, internships, and residency programs. Experience in various areas of Nursing makes you a well-rounded medical professional with knowledge and experience to share, which looks great on any job application.

Create a Strong Cover Letter and Resume

When seeking new career opportunities, a strong cover letter and resume can set you apart from other candidates and help you to stand out.

The cover letter is the first document a potential employer reads. It should capture the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of your application. From there, your resume should showcase your strongest achievements, skills, and experiences. A quality cover letter and resume may unlock or block you from career opportunities.

Consider an Advanced Degree

Advanced Nursing degrees can unlock extreme career potential and open the doors to new and prosperous opportunities. Advanced Nursing degrees empower Nurses to take on more specialized, leadership-oriented, and impactful roles in the healthcare system.

They provide a pathway for career growth, increased responsibilities, and the opportunity to contribute significantly to patient care, education, research, and healthcare policy. If you are looking for a new career opportunity, there is no better way to open more career goals than to work toward completing an advanced degree.

To unlock Nursing career opportunities and achieve the greatest success, Nurses must have a unique combination of education, skill development, networking, and a proactive approach to career planning. A successful Nursing journey can look different to everyone, and how you reach ultimate career satisfaction is an individualized process. Nursing at all levels takes skill, dedication, and passion. As long as you keep the goal of providing high-quality patient care, you will achieve career success.

Large job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor compete to display millions of jobs. Niche job boards like our DiversityNursing.com job board, help you reach a more precise audience.. 

Niche job boards are generally smaller job boards that are location or industry focused. Many niche job boards are sponsored and/or maintained by industry leading professional associations. From a recruiter’s perspective, the industry focus of niche job boards helps to target job advertisements toward qualified candidates. 

Healthcare organizations need to look at the importance of the recruiting function, and how, if recruiters are able to bring more high-quality talent into the organization, that level of quality will cascade through everything else employees do, ultimately impacting the delivery of patient care.

Recruiters like posting jobs on niche boards because they know everyone applying is in the right place. Applicants won’t find search results for jobs in other professions so recruiters won't receive resumes that don’t match the job description they posted. This leads to smaller candidate pools, allowing the recruiter more time to consider each application. 

According to a Nurse.com article, smaller job boards are familiar with particular specialties, job titles, certifications and keywords your desired audience uses and requires. They understand and stay up-to-date on the hiring trends for their niche profession. For example, if a large organization is laying off workers, a niche job board can help you target a specific market.

Niche boards offer branding opportunities like job alerts, job board widgets, banner advertisements, and company profile pages like DiversityNursing.com's Employer Profile.

Smaller job boards have staff who know your name and answer your calls and questions. They know your time is precious and good communication is key. That means you're talking to a real person not a voice recording. 

Niche job boards attract the right candidates that have the specialized skills and up-to-date experience that you're looking for. They also receive higher quality and more relevant applications. Therefore, niche job boards are the fastest way to find strong candidates, leading to lower cost-to-fill.

As healthcare changes, so do their goals. The latest goal is 80% of the Nurse workforce should have their BSN by 2020. Most hospitals are no longer hiring Nurses with only their Associate’s degree. If they do hire them, the Nurses are expected to sign a contract that they'll get their BSN within a certain time frame. 

Hiring preferences

Putting patients first

Have questions about getting your BSN or have a general question? Ask one of our Nurse Leaders!