1.
Why Do You Want to Work in Emergency Nursing?
You might choose a career in emergency nursing because you enjoy
variety and complexity, says the Emergency Nursing Association. But you might
also be the type of person who gains energy from working in a fast-paced environment.
When thinking about your answer to this question, you might want to consider
personal experiences, if applicable, or the particular professional reasons you
want to work in an emergency setting. For example, you may have had a family
member who received excellent care from an emergency room nurse and you want to
make a similar contribution to your patients' lives. There is nothing wrong
with sharing a bit of personal information; just make sure you don't go
overboard.
2.
How Do You Handle Crisis Situations?
Not everyone is cut out to work in emergency health care settings.
Since emergency health care settings are usually reserved for crisis
situations, you will need to have a good head on your shoulders, be quick to
respond and able to think on your feet. Sometimes, patients who come to
emergency health care settings might be difficult or resistant, and they may
physically or verbally act against your attempts to help. An interviewer wants
to ensure that you have proper crisis intervention skills and that you will be
able to stay calm and composed in an emergency situation. You might support
your statements by providing an example of a crisis situation you have handled
in the past or discussing the ways in which you might try to soothe and calm a
difficult or resistant patient.
3.
What Previous Nursing Experience Do You Have?
Even if you are a recent graduate and you haven't had any
emergency nursing experience, you still have experience from your fieldwork and
preceptorships during nursing school. And you might have had previous paid or
volunteer experience in health care. Highlighting your previous experiences can
provide your employers with a great deal of insight into your work ethic,
dedication and commitment -- even if your previous work experience isn't
related to nursing at all, says Tara Mason, director of rehabilitation with
MileStone Healthcare, in an interview with the Advance Healthcare Network for
Nurses. If you want to work in emergency nursing, you will need to show that
you have a strong work ethic and are dedicated and committed to your patients.
4.
Do You Have Any Questions?
It is important not to say "yes" when an interviewer
asks if you have questions. Asking questions shows that you are motivated and
interested in the position. Some of the questions you should focus on are
training and orientation opportunities, especially if you are a recent
graduate. When seeking opportunities, you should try to find those that offer
formal orientations that last a minimum of 3 to 6 months, advises the Emergency
Nursing Association. In addition to inquiring about training, you might also
ask questions in other areas that you feel are appropriate. For example, you
might ask what challenges you can expect to come across in the position, the
frequency of performance reviews or the opportunities for continuing education.
5.
Why did you choose your specialty area of nursing?
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.
6.
Why did you leave your last job?
Stay positive
regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management
and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do,
you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a
positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or
other forward-looking reasons.
7.
Why do you want this job: emergency room
nurse?
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.
8.
What have you done to improve your
knowledge for emergency room nurse in the last year?
Try to include
improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can
be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to
mention.
9.
Describe to me the position: emergency room
nurse you’re applying for.
This is a
“homework” question, too, but it also gives some clues as to the perspective
the person brings to the table. The best preparation you can do is to read the
job description and repeat it to yourself in your own words so that you can do
this smoothly at the interview.
10.
What is your greatest strength?
This is your time
to shine. Just remember the interviewer is looking for work related strengths.
Mention a number of them such as being a good motivator, problem solver,
performing well under pressure, being loyal, having a positive attitude, eager
to learn, taking initiative, and attention to detail. Whichever you go for, be
prepared to give examples that illustrate this particular skill.
11.
What kind of salary do you need?
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.
II.
Top tips for emergency room nurse job interview:
If you’re counting down the days till your
next job interview, these helpful hints will help you get in the right mood so
you can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers:
12.
Do your research
Fail to plan, and you plan to fail. You
are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure
you’ve done your homework on things like their last year’s profits and latest
product launches. Also take a look at the latest developments in the industry
so you can converse with confidence.
13.
Practice your answers
It sounds funny –
and it looks even funnier – but practicing out loud for your interview will
help you sound more polished and concise and less nervous in the actual
interview. List a few key things you want the employer to know about you, and
review common interview questions. Formulate answers to those questions and
answer them out loud while looking at yourself in the mirror. This exercise
prevents you from rambling in the interview and sounding unpolished and unsure.
It also helps you discover what really does make you the best candidate for the
job!
14.
Make good first impressions
A cardinal rule of interviewing: Be polite
and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet — from parking attendant or
receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job
applicants treat staff members — and your job offer could easily be derailed if
you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff.
15.
Provide examples
It’s one thing to say you can do
something; it’s another to give examples of things you have done. “Come with a
toolbox of examples of the work you’ve done,” advises Fogarty. “You should come
and anticipate the questions a recruiter’s going to ask based on the
requirement of the role. Think of recent strong strategic examples of work
you’ve done, then when the question is asked, answer with specifics, not in
generalities. You should say, ‘Yes, I’ve done that before. Here’s an example of
a time I did that…,’ and then come back and ask the recruiter, ‘Did that answer
your question?’”
16.
Dress for success
Plan out a wardrobe that fits the
organization and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you
can accomplish. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than under —
and to wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and
jewelry to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview — and
if possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash.
17. Thank Interviewer(s) in Person, by
Email, and Postal Mail
As you have already seen from previous
tips, common courtesy and politeness go far in interviewing; thus, the
importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no
surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who
interviewed you. Writing thank-you emails and notes shortly after the interview
will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge
over any of the other finalists who did not bother to send thank-you’s.
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