Role-play the interview with a colleague in Box 26-2 and then reverse roles. How is the experience different if you are the interviewer versus the candidate being interviewed?
BOX 26-2 Interview Script
MANAGER: Hi, I’m Paula Green. I’m the nurse manager for the surgical care unit. Thank you for coming in today! I’d like to start by telling you a little about the surgical care unit and then we’ll talk about you and why you would like to work here. The unit is a 32-bed patient care unit that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide care to patients who have most typically had abdominal surgeries or orthopaedic surgeries. The average length of stay for a patient here is three days. All rooms are private, with one patient to a room. We encourage a family member to stay overnight in the sleeper chair if desired. We work hard to create a good experience for every patient. Now, tell me about you and why you’ve chosen to consider working with us.
INTERVIEWEE: I’m Samuel Jones. I’ve been a nurse for three years. I went to school at Upstate University. I worked in the community hospital surgical unit after I graduated from nursing school; I had clinicals there during my studies. Now, I would like to move on to a larger facility that has a greater variety of patients. I’ve read a lot about your hospital and was very excited to see the job posting. I think this organization would be an excellent place for me to work.
MANAGER: Tell me more about why you think our hospital is a good fit for you.
INTERVIEWEE: Well, I know you keep adding more floors and services, and I want to be part of a growing place. I also know your Web site says you have just received Magnet designation. I want to be at a hospital where nursing is valued and growth is encouraged. A member of my family came here for care and loved it. He said everybody was very warm and professional.
MANAGER: That is very good to hear! So, let’s talk about your work experience at the community hospital. Tell me about your role there.
INTERVIEWEE: Well, I’m a staff nurse in the surgical unit. I work the night shift. After working there about a year and a half, I took a preceptor class and began helping train new nurses. I am also the charge nurse there. I lead the shift, help my co-workers with their patients, get patients placed in a room when they’re admitted, and talk to patients who have concerns about their care.
MANAGER: It sounds like you’ve done well in the last three years. Tell me about being the charge nurse leader. That’s a large responsibility. Why do you like that responsibility, and how you think your peers would describe you in that role?
INTERVIEWEE: I like working hard and being a role model to encourage the other staff members to work hard. I also think that most issues can be fixed with good communication, so I try to always get people to talk and to share information. I think my co-workers would say I’m always asking them if they need help with their patients. I want them to know I’m there for them.
MANAGER: Tell me about your strengths as a nurse.
INTERVIEWEE: I try to keep myself and everybody focused on the patient. I’m also very dependable. This is the third year in a row that I’ve had a perfect record of attendance at work.
MANAGER: Tell me about your weaknesses.
INTERVIEWEE: I think sometimes I don’t ask for help and then I get overwhelmed with my work. I always try to help others but get embarrassed when I need to ask for help. I need to learn to give and take better. MANAGER: We all have strengths and weaknesses. We can build on your strengths and help you learn to deal with your weaknesses. Would you like to tour the unit now?
