Preparing for a Nursing Interview

a. How does a nurse manager or nurse-recruiter prepare for an interview?

A nurse manager or nurse-recruiter should prepare for an interview by:

• Reviewing the job description: Understanding the specific requirements and qualifications for the position.
• Researching the candidate: Gathering information about the candidate’s experience, education, and skills.
• Developing interview questions: Preparing a list of questions that will help assess the candidate’s suitability for the role.
• Creating a comfortable interview environment: Ensuring that the interview space is private, quiet, and free from distractions.

b. What kinds of questions are off-limits to an interviewer by law?

Interviewers should avoid asking questions that could be considered discriminatory, such as questions about:

• Age: “How old are you?”
• Race: “What is your ethnicity?”
• Religion: “What is your religion?”
• Gender: “Are you married?”
• National origin: “Where were you born?”
• Disability: “Do you have any disabilities?”
• Genetic information: “Do you have a family history of genetic diseases?”

c. What kinds of questions do you personally believe to be ethically or morally wrong?

In addition to the legally prohibited questions, there are other types of questions that may be considered ethically or morally wrong. These can include:

• Questions that invade personal privacy: For example, asking about a candidate’s personal life or financial situation.
• Questions that are irrelevant to the job: Asking questions that do not relate to the candidate’s qualifications or experience.
• Questions that are leading or suggestive: Questions that imply a particular answer or bias the candidate’s response.

d. Since Jeri is not very adept at interviewing for applicants, what steps can she take to compensate for her lack of experience?

Jeri can compensate for her lack of interviewing experience by:

• Practicing with colleagues: Role-playing with colleagues to practice asking interview questions and responding to candidate answers.
• Reviewing interviewing techniques: Reading articles or attending workshops on effective interviewing techniques.
• Using a structured interview approach: Developing a standardized set of questions to ask all candidates, which can help ensure a fair and consistent evaluation process.
• Seeking guidance from experienced interviewers: Asking for advice from colleagues who have more experience with interviewing.