Hardest Director Of Nursing Interview Preparation Guide

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My interest in healthcare stemmed from the volunteer position that I held at the SOS Children’s Hospital during my high school. Since then, there has been no turning back. I realized I loved the whole concept of nursing and what it stands for.

Whether the area of specialization is ER, Occupational Health, Community Health, ICU or any other, the key to answering interview questions about your nursing career choice is to be very specific about why you chose it. What influenced you in your choice? How did you explore your options? Highlight how your strengths are best utilized in this area and how it suits your personal competencies.

My contributions to the hospital’s nursing department have always been highly commended by my employer. Last year I initiated a computerized supplies inventory mechanism in the department which was also adopted by other departments since it ensured 100% availability of supplies on the floor 24 hours.

I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City.

Your answer should show your commitment to this job and facility. You can explain how this nursing job meets your long term objectives by providing an opportunity to grow and develop your nursing skills.

Discipline is an integral factor in nursing practice. I ensure my staff is disciplined by counseling them and sending brief reminders from time to time regarding the same. In case an employee crosses the line I take suitable disciplinary action to keep all the staff on track.

Explain how this opening provides a new challenge and opportunity. Avoid criticizing your former employer or colleagues and giving a negative reason for leaving. Focus on the positive possibilities that will come with a move to a new nursing job.

My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old nursing job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one.

This is a loaded question and a nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, that’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

A nurse manager identifies patient needs and mentors the nursing staff to cater for the same through implementation of effective nursing care strategies. He/she is also responsible for monitoring the nursing care being delivered and coordinating with hospital management and the nursing team regarding patient care protocols.

Highlight why your training and experience qualify you for this specific nurse job. Prepare for this beforehand by closely reviewing the key job requirements and matching the relevant skills and abilities you have gained to these. Provide specific examples of these skills when answering this question.

Use your background research to show your understanding of the key challenges faced by this organization. Detail how you can help meet these challenges and be part of the solution

I was initially trained and hired as a registered nurse seven years ago. I was rotated in cardiology, pediatrics, oncology and trauma over the years. The most intense work that I did was in the ER / trauma center where I was expected to be on my toes all the time. A little tardiness meant that someone could lose their life! I believe it was success at handling emergency situations that eventually got me promoted to a nurse manager’s position.

I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge in nursing, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.

Whether the area of specialization is ER, Occupational Health, Community Health, ICU or any other, the key to answering interview questions about your nursing career choice is to be very specific about why you chose it. What influenced you in your choice? How did you explore your options? Highlight how your strengths are best utilized in this area and how it suits your personal competencies.

This question typically follows on from the previous one. Here is where your research will come in handy. You may want to say that you want to work for a company that is X, Y, Z, (market leader, innovator, provides a vital service, whatever it may be). Put some thought into this beforehand, be specific, and link the company’s values and mission statement to your own goals and career plans.

My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.

Make your answer relevant to the specific nursing job. For example common qualities required for successful performance as an ER Nurse include adaptability, resilience, critical thinking, organization and planning, emotional stability and high stress tolerance.

Describe achievements that relate to this nursing job. Take specific examples and describe how your approach benefited the patient and/or facility.

The job of a nurse requires stress tolerance, positive attitude and behavior and great care for detail. Nurse Managers have the ability to encourage all of these via praise, active listening, and occasional surprises ranging from time off to free tickets or chocolate bars. When necessary, the NM will have to identify employees that show lack of professionalism. To prevent this from happening, nurse managers can instruct staff in specially designed coaching and training. Give an example or two from your own experience.

When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my biology classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.

Being an active member of the American Nursing Association I have attended many seminars on nurse management during the last year. I have also enrolled myself in a short diploma in personnel management which is due to be completed by end of this year.

Explain why you have chosen a specific area of practice. Be prepared to discuss your theoretical training as well as the practical component. Remember to take copies of your certifications with you.

You will be asked nurse interview questions around your work experience based on the resume you have submitted.

Prepare by carefully going through your resume beforehand. Be completely familiar with your tasks and responsibilities and the skills, abilities and knowledge you have gained.

The interviewer is evaluating your suitability and compatibility with this nursing opportunity. General likes that are applicable to most nursing jobs include learning opportunities, professional growth, job diversity and directly contributing to improving patient care.

The dislikes should not refer to characteristics of the nurse job you are interviewing for. Stay away from reasons that involve common working conditions such as overtime. Avoid criticisms of your previous employer but refer to the absence of something that you want in your new job such as the opportunity to use your initiative more or learn new skills.

Expect nurse interview questions that explore your motivation for the nursing job and a nursing career.

Two years back when the clinic I worked for was upgraded to hospital status, we were short of staff and the protocols for registering a patient who needed care from more than one department had not been communicated. I took an extra minute to confirm the protocol from higher management and communicated the same to my team same day

Introduce yourself to the interviewer. Tell about yourself and your background as a registered nurse and as a manager of nurses. Give specific department names and provide brief elaborations as to what you did there: Intensive care room, emergency rooms and operation rooms where you received and distributed patients.