Can someone (specifically any RN or HR pals out there) help

im a nursing student thats going to graduate next year so im interested in hearing the responses to this topic!
why do you think you don't interview well?

Just show that you're interested. That while you're new to nursing, you want to be able to learn on the job and grow into the career. Be honest with what your goals are in this area. PICU is a hard spot to start out, so you have to be willing to show that you are going to go that extra mile to keep and stay up to speed with the other nurses that have worked there for years.

Best of luck to you. It's always great to have more of us in the work force!

I have an interview on Tuesday What I like to do before the interview is go over the job description with a fine tooth comb... pulling out all the little details of what is expected in the new job. I then go over my resume and fit my experience with the job description. It is nice to come up with a few stories about how your experience fits the essential duties and responsibilities of the new job. It makes a lasting impression if you can relate the job duties with real life experiences; not just a generic answer. I hope this helps and good luck

I'll be graduating my RN program next Spring, but have talked with friends and interviewed as a CNA.

My advice is, is the PICU something your interested in? If so, let them know that. They have many interviews probably, and it will be the ones who stand out that make the impression. Ask them questions - there's usually a part in the interview where they want to know if there's anything you would like to know. Ask things that show interest in the job/teamwork - how long have they been doing the teaching program, how large are the teams you will be working with, that type of stuff.

If you feel you have a bad interview, don't sweat it. A friend of mine had an interview this past Spring and she was worried because she was in casual wear and everyone else was in suits and looking VERY professional. I told her not to worry, that probably made her stand out in the minds of the panel. She got the position

When it all is said and done, remember it is about the patients first, and find a way to let them know you know that. You can talk about technical skills until you're blue in the face, but people skills can make a real difference.

Good luck!

I am a nursing student, so I have not graduated yet, but in the spring I interviewed for a scholarship from a hospital system that includes a three-year job commitment after graduation, so to me that was basically a job interview (I got it, or I would not be offering advice). First, strike the desperate goober thing--desperate makes people uncomfortable. I think it's OK to admit that you are nervous, but try for relaxed and confident. My attitude was that I would love to work for xx, but I was going to be an amazing nurse for some health care organization no matter what. Since you have no experience, focus on your school achievements and the things you have done or experienced in life that you think will translate well to nursing. And yes, know the company--at least look for the mission statement, core values, or something like that online. I wish you luck in your interview!

Do you have a friend that could interview you as practice? There's a lot to be said for being comfortable. You need to be able to speak to both your strengths and weaknesses. When people tell me they do most everything well I start questioning them. Nobody's perfect, and nobody is good at everything. I just want to know that the person I'm bringing in realizes that they have room for improvement. I also want to know that they are confident enough that they won't get walked on by others around here.

Keep in mind the job market is really tight. The reason you didn't get those other jobs may not have as much to do with your interviewing skills as that there was just someone else with more experience who fit the job better than you did.

That said, I will echo the sentiment that you need to walk into that interview as though you already have the job and you're just explaining how your skill set and attitude are going to be a perfect match. Do your homework on the facility and ask a clarifying question or two which shows you have knowledge about the place. ("I understand that this is the top rated facility for ____. What kinds of things are being done to keep on the cutting edge?")

Keep in mind that hiring managers are often looking for the right person, not necessarily the person who has the right skill set, but someone who has the right attitude. They want someone who will fit with the corporate culture and get along well with the other people there. I've done a fair bit of hiring and I'd rather hire someone who is less experienced but open and friendly than someone who has 15 years experience but is condescending and rude.

In a lot of interviews I have given (while not this specific career type), one thing that stands out about bad interviews is how little the person knows about the position or company he or she is interviewing for... be exicted for working at THAT place and know how your strengths tie diretly to their mission and purpose... do your research and personalize your expertise to the needs of the organization...

Agreed. Not my field. But knowing learning enough about the company's goals to be able to confidently and accurately speak to how they align with your own is very attractive. I also like when people are able to ask me intelligent questions about my organization and how/why we do things. I know that they were smart enough to do their homework beforehand and smart enough to continue to think about what they read.

Good luck!