There is a lot of preparation needed before you head to your nursing interview, so we thought we’d give you helping hand. Carry on reading for 5 steps to acing your next nursing interview, put together by our expert team.
Do your homework
Research the organisation you are hoping to work for well in advance of the interview. Useful things to find out might include what the hospital specialises in, how much funding it receives, its size, who’s in charge and what its targets are. Whether you’re going private or interviewing for an NHS trust, understanding the organisation’s core values is also a must and will get you those brownie points as a potential candidate!
2. Brush up on your industry knowledge
Make sure you have an awareness of the current climate when it comes to nursing and the NHS. This will show your prospective employer that you are passionate about the role and in it for the long-haul.
3. Know your medicines
Demonstrating that you are up-to-date with your medication knowledge will help you ace your next nursing interview as it is likely to come up in a scenario-based question. We recommend revising the basics - perhaps with a fellow nurse/nurse-to-be so you can quiz one another and rehearse different scenarios. This will show the interviewer that you are well versed in the medical world and ready to roll up your sleeves and put your training into practice!
4. Showcase your experience
Use the STAR method when answering experienced-based questions, such as “Tell me about a time where you worked successfully as part of a team?”. Putting your nursing skills into a real-world context will help illustrate your ability to do the job and help you make a great first impression. It is good practice to read the job description over a few times so that the role requirements are at the forefront of your mind. You need to marry up your work experience with your soft skills to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
5. Ask questions
At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask your perspective employee more about the role. Not only will this highlight your enthusiasm, but also gives you the opportunity to ensure that the job is ticks all your boxes and will make a good fit for your needs and lifestyle. A good way to find out if the organisation is worth working for is to ask the interviewer what they like about it. If they don’t have an answer, consider this a red flag!
Save these tips for your next interview and impress those employers! If you’re still looking for a nursing role, you’ve come to the right place. Get in touch with our experienced recruitment agents today and we’ll find you your dream nursing role in no time.
Alternatively, you can browse our latest vacancies here.