A Few Suggestions for Practical Nursing Job Interviews

Congratulations, you've gotten your first job interview as a licensed practical nurse, or PN! Now that you've got your foot in the door, though, you need to know how to make sure that you land the job. PN positions can be competitive, especially in places like Toledo OH. Here are some tips and tricks to make you stand out from the crowd in your interview!

Dress for Success

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so you want to make sure that it is a good one! You don't want to show up in scrubs, so opt for business casual wear instead. For men, this typically looks like dress pants and a button down shirt. Women can wear something similar, perhaps with a jacket to make the look more professional.

Of course, dressing is only the first part of the battle. It's important that you know what to say!

Research

Always, always, always do your homework about a company before you go into an interview. This is especially true for an PN! Read up on the facility that you're applying to and make sure you know what their policies and goals are. This can often be done with something as simple as reading their website. If you can use the words listen on their "about us" page, they will know that you have the same goals that they do and will be much more likely to hire you.

Questions to Expect

There will always be some variety, but you can count on certain questions popping up during an interview for an PN position. This is a very specific job, after all, so they'll want to know about why it appeals to you! Here are a few common questions and tips for responding to them.

• What was your reasoning for becoming a nurse? - This is the most common question, so it is essential to prepare for it. Most employers want to hear that you love helping people, since empathy is an important part of the job. If you can tie in a personal experience with a friend or family member, all the better!
• How do you deal with stress? - This is a favorite among employers because the job will stress you out, and they need to know that you can take it. Being organized is a great way to prevent stress, and employers like to know that you will be willing to work with your coworkers and ask for help if you need it. Combine these tactics and try to keep it as personal to you as possible!

Be Educated

Interviews for a position as a licensed practical nurse are no joke, but there are certainly ways to make the task easier. By being educated on what you can expect, you've already significantly increased your odds of success. Even in competitive places like Toledo OH, if you follow these tips, you'll find yourself easily nailing the interview and landing your dream job!

To learn more about a career as a Practical Nurse, and whether it’s the right fit for you, schedule an appointment with Athena Career Academy today. One meeting with our Admissions counselors could help put you on the path to a successful new career that could change your life for the better. 

Athena Career Academy is located at:
5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM
Phone: (419) 329-4075