Nursing Interview Questions

Nursing Interview Questions by Amber Rolfe Looking for a career helping others? Nursing could be for you… Whether you’re already a qualified nurse or you’re about to start a career in nursing, it’s not always easy to predict what kind of questions will come up at an interview. And whilst you’re likely to be asked a number of common interview questions, you’ll also come across ones that are more directly related to nursing, and healthcare in general.Here are a few of the most popular nursing interview questions, along with our advice on how to answer them:Why did you decide to become a nurse? This question is essentially asking you two things; why do you want this job, and are you really committed to it?Answering it well comes down to your ability to be unique, genuine, and to-the-point. Because whilst the interviewer is looking for more than a one word answer, they also don’t want to hear your life story.Think about what path led you to your nursing career, and give specific examples that not only make you unique, but also demonstrate your passion, drive, and commitment to helping others.For example, it could be that you received excellent care from a nurse that inspired you to pursue it, you started out in a similar industry (e.g. care work) and decided nursing was a great next step, or you’ve just always been passionate about providing care and assistance to people in need.  Describe a good shift This competency question is a great way for the interviewer to ensure you know what elements are vital to a smooth running hospital or surgery.The best answers will not only focus on the importance of delivering excellent care to patients, but also of taking care of yourself and your colleagues.Because a great shift is less about having high numbers of staff â€" and more about effective organisation of tasks, time management, and regular breaks to ensure the team is kept sharp, hydrated, and happy.The interviewer knows that no shift is perfect, so instead of describing a ‘dream’ day that probably doesn’t exist, think about a real-life experience that went particularly well.And don’t feel like being faced with problems along the way (e.g. you were short staffed) is a bad thing. Instead, draw attention to how you used your patience and resilience to overcome them.  Tell me about a time you’ve dealt with a dissatisfied patient This question relies on your ability to be understanding, calm, and accommodating in order to diffuse a difficult situation.Firstly, acknowledge that you understand why a patient is feeling upset â€" but never blame them. After all, it’s understandable that illnesses can sometimes result in anger and frustration, especially if they feel as if their condition isn’t improving as quickly as they expect it to.Secondly, discuss what happened, talking about why a patient was dissatisfied, whether it was that they felt they were being denied the right medication, they hadn’t been attended to quickly enough, or any other reason.Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), explain how you used basic conflict resolution strategies to turn the situation around. These usually include listening to the patient to understand the root of the concern, taking them away from the area, and knowing if and when to escalate the issue to a senior member of staff.What makes you a good nurse? In other words, what makes you better than the other candidates?In addition to demonstrating your most notable skills, abilities, and achievements, you should also ensure that your answer is compassionate.After all, skills can be taught â€" but empathy, honesty, and kindness are all inherit traits that form the basis of a successful nurse. It’s also a good idea to reference the importance of the six Cs (the value base for nursing, midwifery, and care staff), which are: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.But don’t just list what it takes to be a great nurse. You also need to prove it.To really stan d out from the crowd, refer to real life examples that show you can go above and beyond to ensure patients are being cared for to the best of your ability.  What’s your biggest achievement so far? This question is basically a free pass to brag (humbly, of course).Think of a notable success in your career that you’re particularly proud of, and use the STAR technique to explain it to your interviewer.And don’t feel like it has to be from work. If you’re new to nursing and/or have recently finished studying, it’s perfectly acceptable to give an example from your experience as a student nurse â€" as long as it emphasises your enthusiasm and determination to deliver safe and effective care.Interviewers are looking for a personal, unique story that shows you’re passionate about your job â€" so avoid being vague or generic with your answer.Need more interview questions?Unfortunately, we can’t help you predict exactly which interview questions will come up on the big day. Howe ver, we can help you prepare for every eventuality and avoid any  interview nightmares.Buy James Reed’s new book:  Why You? 101 Interview Questions You’ll Never Fear Again  to find out how.Still searching for your perfect position?  View all available nursing jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Job interview tips Preparing for an interview

Get Hired How to Appear More Confident - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Get Hired How to Appear More Confident - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When applying for a job today, its essential to appear confident in your communications with the hiring manager. Everyone knows that looking the part is important. Thats why job seekers wear nice clothes, style their hair professionally and obsess over the design of resumes. But even when theyre fixating on details such as the style of bullet to use in their resume, many people overlook the quickest and easiest way to appear more confident in their job search. Nearly every job hunt today involves written communications. Emails, resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles are all powerful tools to show hiring managers youre qualified for a job (or not.) Many job seekers lose momentum in their job search,  however, because they write their job hunt materials in the Passive Voice. Heres the  distinction: In the Active Voice, the subject of the sentence is the one doing the action. Example: The SmartBrief on Leadership featured my article. In the Passive Voice, the subject of the sentence is having something done to it.  (It includes a form of the  verb “to be”) Example: My article was featured  by the SmartBrief on Leadership. This might seem like  a minor difference, but it matters. In fact,  neuroscientists  used MRI scans of readers brains to discover: if a person reads an active verb, not only do the sections of the brain dealing with language light up, but the motor part of the brain relevant to that verb’s action also lights up. The brain responds in the exact way it would if the person had just performed that action himself. If a reader reads that a character ran or jumped, the reader’s motor cortex controlling their legs lights up. Interestingly, the passive voice doesnt have the same effect. Readers brains dont engage when writers insert is, was are, etc. in front of verbs. So if youre looking for a job, its worth taking 10 minutes to read through all your written communications. Any time you find sentences written in the Passive Voice with a form of the verb to be, change them to Active Voice.* This one quick change will make your writing more vivid and mentally engaging for hiring managers and make you look like a strong, confident candidate. *See this link to find all the forms of the verb to be.

Cutting Down on Clutter Help Your Wellbeing

Cutting Down on Clutter Help Your Wellbeing Numerous scientific articles and books have been coming out lately with regards to clutter and its effect on our mental well being. Clearly, the presence of an excess of stuff creates an almost claustrophobic sensation within our minds. This ups our stress levels because we sense it the same in the same way that we might a massive to-do list; it becomes a little bit daunting. Having less clutter among our surroundings provides us with a feeling of order and control that eases our minds and quells stress. While this may all be easily said, it certainly does not come easily to many when actually taking the time to remove clutter. There are a number of strategies that different people have come up with hence the plethora books upon the subject. Everything from putting all things in the house away into boxes and removing items only that are needed for use for the entirety of a year and ridding of all that does not get used, to holding each item in a space close and asking yourself if it brings you joy. While each individual’s experiences with decluttering may vary, there are a couple simple suggestions for anyone who is looking to lessen the clutter in their lives. Give Experiences, Not Things Giving gifts can be difficult even when they are for yourself. Giving things, especially when they lack sentimental value, tends to lead to those particular items merely piling up in the garage, or the back of some closet, or even in a rented storage space. We tend to feel bad giving away a gift from a friend or relative, even when we have no need or use for it. Giving experiences, however, cuts down on the clutter and provides amazing memories that last a lifetime without taking up any space. In a world where consumerism reigns supreme, there is a severe excess of stuff, and yet there is also severe excess of those in need. Reducing the clutter in our lives cuts down on stress within our living spaces, and there are companies that offer the gift of experience while simultaneously giving to charities which provides an extra boost of happiness when giving such a gift. Give a unique experience through   while simultaneously giving back to charity.   Its something you should try, and you can learn more here. Saving Space We all like having space. With the world growing as insanely as it is though, many of us are sacrificing space smaller homes, smaller apartments, smaller lots, and the like. When looking to create space, or even the illusion or more space, focus on the functionality of pieces in your home. For example, furniture that doubles as storage. These pieces look beautiful, and are comfortable. Plus, they provide space for items such as pillows, sheets, and blankets, that are used often, but not constantly. Other items are technological pieces. The majority of us find enjoyment in reading, music, and films. Devices such as reading tablets can hold numerous numbers of books without piling up.   Your local library also offers you the reading material you crave without taking up all the space. If youre a movie or music buff, backup hard drives are brilliant ways to store staggering amounts of movies, shows, and music within a small little box to have at your disposal.

The 6 Types of People that Exist in Every Office #PeepShow

The 6 Types of People that Exist in Every Office #PeepShow If you work in an office, youll know that you get to know your colleagues very quickly. Theres always a quiet one, a loud one and an annoying one but what are the characteristics of these colleagues? Weve taken a look at the 6 types of people youre bound to come across in your office, with a little help from Peep Show characters. Read on to work out which one you are! The Johnson: The Johnson of the office is always on the road to a promotion by getting matey with the top bosses. Theyre full of wisecracks and always have some words of wisdom that you may (or may not) need they dont care, theyll give it to you anyway! Take everything they say with a pinch of salt, and watch your back around this person theyre ruthless! Characteristics: Probably owns a Ferrari Usually gives everyone in the office a derogatory nick name, eg. Porky Can often be found car-pooling to conferences in Kettering The Corrigan: The Corrigan is an unusual person, with odd characteristics. Theyre good at what they do but they don;t really have the sophistication or confidence to do it. Theyre usually pretty awkward, so that means most of the time you can find them eating lunch alone in the corner of the canteen. Characteristics: Despite the general awkwardness of this type of person, theyre usually good at forming relationships in the workplace. Dont trust them to do big presentations or pitches they could possibly jump out the window to avoid doing them. The Jez: You know that colleague who goes a bit too crazy at the work christmas party? Or the one that takes at least 1 hungover sick day a week? Sound familiar? This type of person is always up for a bit of fun, which is nice. but can be pretty annoying too. Characteristics: Always smell of booze. Is a bit too friendly with the receptionist The Super Hans: This type of office worker is a loveable idiot. They dont seem to do anything all day apart from wander between desks looking for a piece of cake or some conversation. Characteristics: Can usually be found wandering aimlessly through the corridors. Can never usually be trusted with anything important in the workplace. The Dobby: The Dobby. Everyones got one. Everyone shouldnt have one. Thats right you guessed it the office crush. If youve ever come across a Dobby, you could probably tell from the flustered conversation and the fact you forgot where your desk is once youd spoken to them. Characteristics: Is usually found in the IT department. Likes couscous for lunch. The Jeff: This type of person always seems to be incredibly popular despite having the worlds worst sense of humour and never making anyone else in the office a cup of tea. Characteristics: Sarcasm is the only language they know. Is the type of person who uses the word banter un-ironically Which one are you? Wed love to hear what you think over on Twitter @UndercoverRec.

Are You Tweaking Your Out-Dated Executive Resume To Death - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Are You Tweaking Your Out-Dated Executive Resume To Death How to Update and Revive Your Over-Edited, Old Executive Resume

Is Freelancing Right for You - Sterling Career Concepts

Is Freelancing Right for You Is Freelancing Right for You? When considering the best next step in your career, freelancing might be an option, but its not for everyone. For starters, it requires being adaptable, patient, and good at working alone.   For some, it can be a great source of career opportunities. How do you know if freelancing is right for you? The folks over at MoneyGuru developed a quiz to help determine if you could be a good match with freelancing opportunities. Check it out here: Is Freelancing for Me? For those looking from the outside, becoming a freelancer often appears tempting.  However, no amount of previous work experience will prepare you for freelancing if you don’t have the right minerals. Take our quiz and discover if you have what it takes Congratulations! You’ve got what it takes to be a freelancer. You’re organised, sociable, able to multitask and don’t take criticism personally. Always on the lookout for new opportunities, you’re not shy when it comes to marketing yourself. You live for new ideas, are hardworking, patient and will do whatever it takes to get the job done brilliantly, and on time. Enjoy the challenges ahead! Think again Freelancing may not be the right thing for you right now. You might be the kind of person who prefers a set routine to the working day, enjoys the buzz of an office environment and finds rejection difficult to deal with. The good news is, us humans are capable of great change, so if you’re still determined to be a freelancer, check out our blog for some helpful tips on getting there. Perhaps Freelancing might be for you, although there are a few areas you may need to work on. Check out our blog for some tips on essential freelancing personality traits and see if you have what it takes. A sunny morning, your house is a mess and the archbishop is coming for afternoon tea. Do you: You are meeting a friend in a crowded bar. They are late. Would you: You’ve spent hours labouring over a Victoria sponge for the village fete, which then goes untouched. You would: Sleep is: A whole day free of commitments. Do you: Bath time. You receive a call from an unknown number. Do you: Your dog wins best-in-show in a local competition. Would you: A game of chess. What are your tactics? An empty house for 3 days and nights. Will the solitude: Joining the local athletics’ club, your focus would be on: Quiz Maker powered by Riddle

Writing a Resume When Reentering the Workforce

Writing a Resume When Reentering the WorkforceWriting a resume when reentering the workforce is one of the most important aspects of any career. Your resume should be an essential part of your job search, and it is worth the extra effort to write one. Here are some things to think about when writing a resume.- The economy is changing fast, and the market demands that you move quickly and efficiently. You should know that you can find and hire those who can do the work you are looking for. You can find it online, or by word of mouth. Be flexible and you will succeed.- You should be prepared to step into a challenging job. There are going to be better opportunities for you somewhere else. It is good to know that your skills will be in demand as well. However, you will also want to continue to build your skills and learning new ones.- A resume is really an important part of your job search. You will want to use it effectively and efficiently. There are free or low cost solutions to take advantage of but you need to think about how it will impact your financial future.- Make sure that your resume highlights the key skills you have and a small list of your accomplishments. Write a paragraph describing what you have done. Then use the rest of the resume as an explanation of why you are the right candidate for the job. Give the reader the opportunity to see all of your qualifications and accomplishments. Don't forget to include your work history as well.- Be sure that your resume is well written. Use words that relate to the job you are looking for. Explain what type of employees you expect and what your job responsibilities will be. Write your resume using specific phrases that you can find and use when looking for jobs. If you don't know how to write a resume that makes the right impression on your prospective employer, then get help.By doing some research before you begin to write your resume, you will find that you are able to put more emphasis on the information that really matters. And once you begin your job search, you will find that the results will prove worthwhile.