How to Ace Your Next Nursing Job Interview

Are you looking to find your next job as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, and want some tips on how to ace your next interview? Here are some ways to best prepare yourself so you feel confident from the minute you step into the room.

How do Pediatric Nursing Interviews Differ from General Nursing Interviews? 

Pediatric Home Care Nurses will be working with children from a young age and their families through young adulthood. During your interview, you will need to show the potential employer that you not only have the skills to take care of children but also the ability to care for children and their parents in times of need. Interviewers will ask you questions that revolve around your love for children, your ability to show empathy, compassion, and patience, and how you communicate. At Thrive SPC, we hire nurses who are dedicated to providing high-quality clinical home care to medically fragile children so they can grow and flourish to their full potential. 

Research the Organization

Before any interview, it’s essential to research the organization. Reach out to colleagues who work or previously worked at the organization to hear about their personal experiences. This will help you learn about the organization’s mission and values and allow you to tailor your answers during the interview. You should also research the organization on their website and their social media to learn more about the company and its culture. 

You’ll find information about Thrive SPC’s values, mission, and more at https://www.thrivespc.com/, in addition to their Facebook and Instagram.

Practice Your Interview

For any interview regardless of the position, it’s important to make sure that you perform a mock interview. Ask a friend, family member, or someone else to ask you questions you might expect your potential employer to ask during your actual interview. Questions can range from the following topics:

• What are your soft and hard pediatric skills?
• What are your strengths as a pediatric nurse?
• What were your biggest challenges in previous jobs and how did you handle them?
• How would you advocate for your patient? 
• How would you help parents and other caregivers with anxiety and grief?

Prepare a List of Potential Questions to Ask

An interview is not just for a potential employer to see if you are a good candidate, it is also for you to see if they are a good company. Plus, employers like it when potential candidates are engaged in the conversation during an interview, it shows that you genuinely care about the position, company, and how you might fit. 

Here are five key questions to ask during your interview:

• What is the onboarding process like?
• What training do you offer?
• Is there flexibility with work schedules? 
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the organization?
• Is there potential for advancement or growth?

Stay Positive and Have Good Body Language

Interviews can be stressful. If you’ve prepared in advance, you should walk into your interview feeling confident about your work experience, and excited about the potential of a new job. You can take a couple of deep breaths or meditate for at least five minutes to help with any anxiety you might have. During the interview, have a strong handshake, maintain good posture, lean forward slightly, keep eye contact with the interviewer, and smile. 

Follow these five tips and ace your next interview for a Pediatric Home Care Nurse position. Check out our careers at Thrive SPC to learn more about our organization and apply today.