October 9, 2024

new graduate nurses

Video Interviews: your pre-game checklist

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In pandemic times, video interviews will be the go-to for many nursing and midwifery recruiters. It’s a potentially strange situation, but here are The Lamp’s top 5 tips for making it as stress-free as possible.

  1. Pick a good location and background

They say in real estate it’s “location, location, location”. It’s the same for your video interview!

Make sure that your location for the video interview shows off the best parts of you, rather than detracting from what you’re saying. That means having a clear background (a plain or professional wall does fine), rather than having a cluttered wall or messy room just over your shoulder.

Also check out the lighting. Ideally, lighting should be just behind your camera. Natural lighting is best, but we know that isn’t always possible. Try out different options, including room lighting or artificial lighting (like lamps).

Remember that you want the location to be as distraction-free as possible. A quiet space is best, where you can lock yourself away from stray pets, partners or children. If that’s not possible at home, some libraries or universities may have spaces you can rent out for this purpose.

  1. Test your equipment

There is nothing worse than having your equipment fail on you as you conduct your new grad interview. Blurry vision or unintelligible audio really affect what the interviewers see – as well as how you perform.

Make sure you test out your equipment prior to your interview. That includes both your camera and microphone. If your equipment isn’t up to scratch, consider buying or borrowing some new equipment for your interview.

It might also be worthwhile testing how your equipment comes across to another person on the other side of a stream. Ask a friend to conduct a video conference with you, and see how well your gear performs in those conditions.

  1. Plug in your internet

Another potential downer for interviews is your internet cutting off. Wi-Fi is notoriously fickle, and even hotspotting can be risky. Consider plugging in to the internet rather than relying on wireless for your interview, to save yourself a little bit of pain during the event itself.

  1. Get familiar with the streaming service

Ever had calls that have started with a cacophony of “hellos”, or been embarrassed by someone who didn’t know what a “break out room” was? You don’t want to be that interviewee, particularly during your new grad interview.

Before your interview, make sure you ascertain what program your interviewer will be using – they may choose to use Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts or something else. Visit the platform beforehand, and even consider conducting a mock interview with a friend prior.

  1. Have your outfit ready

While your outfit may mean a little bit less on a video interview, it’s another thing that you should consider so that you’re not rushing around having to deal with it on the day. You’ll have plenty of things to deal with as it stands, so if you can have your get-up hanging in your room the night prior, it should put you in good stead.

Now it’s your turn to go and ace that interview! If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Student to New Grad webinars, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

Sonia’s journey from study to professional

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Sonia Kokuru recently graduated from the Bachelor of Nursing at UTS. In March she will start a new graduate position at Bankstown Lidcombe Hospital. The Lamp spoke to her about this challenging but rewarding transition.

Sonia says she is excited but also a bit nervous about her new position.

“I am hoping to get a lot of support from my preceptor and colleagues and senior managers and educators,” she says.

“At the transition course we talked about how new grads are often quite stressed and experience lots of different emotions, and how not to be too shy in the workplace, but to try and communicate openly with everyone in an assertive way.

“I would love to be in a general medical or surgical ward to get up to speed in clinical skills and build my confidence.

“And I hope to have a rotation in an emergency department, because it is fast paced and I really enjoyed my placement there when I was at UTS.”

Sonia recently attended the Association’s transition program where she and other new graduates were able to ask questions about issues such as night shift, swapping rosters and when shifts are published.

“We also talked about workplace violence, and what to do if a patient is being aggressive, and how far can you go to defend yourself.”

Other topics covered included professional indemnity insurance and accident insurance, which the NSWNMA offers to new graduates, Sonia said.

What message does Sonia have for new graduates like herself?

“Just try to enjoy it, be a safe practitioner, learn as much as you can and don’t put too many expectations on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others: have your own goals and maybe keep a journal to monitor how you go throughout the year. And join the union because they will support 
you. If you have issues they will speak up for you.”

“Take your time”: Nurse Kath’s advice to New Grads

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For many newly qualified registered nurses, entering the health care workforce for the first time as a ‘new grad’ is probably one of the most challenging times they will ever know in their careers. There will no doubt be lots of excitement and pride, many future hopes and career aspirations. There will also be an array of fears and anxieties, perhaps even some self-doubt and uncertainty. If you are one of these newly qualified registered nurses, there’s good news. You’re normal. You are certainly not alone in these thoughts and feelings; despite the rhetoric of what others around you may be saying or pretending. The adjustment to your professional role, the responsibility and accountability that comes with an average day in practice will no doubt result in quite a few sleep deprived nights.

I can guarantee that all registered nurses have experienced the conflicting emotions of excitement and fear at the beginning of their careers. The good news is that this initial anxiety will soon give way to a multitude of rewarding experiences and career development opportunities.  I know this to be true because I was once a new grad too. I can remember clearly the culture shock I experienced as I transitioned from university student to registered nurse.  I sometimes reflect on that period in my life, and how uncertain I was at times. I have often thought what I would say if I could enter a time machine and go back to talk to my new grad self.

Firstly, I would tell myself that those first few weeks and months were the vital foundation I needed to begin developing my professional identity.  I would reassure myself that even though not every shift was wonderful, the sum of all those experiences (even the not so perfect ones) were providing the solid foundation I needed to build a long and happy career.

Secondly, I would tell myself to not get distracted by the location, service or specialty I had been rotated in and out of as part of my transition to professional practice programme.  Rather, I would tell myself to focus my energy over those first few months on choosing a role model. A registered nurse who represented the type of nurse I aspired to be. Someone who I could readily ask for advice and support; someone who would speak the truth even if it was difficult to hear and had the experience to give honest feedback.

Thirdly, I would tell myself to take my time. I would assure myself that there is no value in rushing towards fast-track promotion or fancy job titles. I would focus my energy on developing my knowledge, skills and professional identity, confident that career opportunities would emerge naturally; sometimes in the most unexpected ways.  Most of all, I would remind myself to cherish the opportunity to learn all I could whenever I could. I would tell myself that if I did all these things I was going to have the most amazing journey on a long, happy and exciting career.  And I would tell myself that it would all come true.

Kath Sharples is the owner of Health Education Consultants Australia

Kath.Sharples@heca.com.au 

 

Answering Interview Questions: How to ace behavioural questions

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Health employers often use behavioural questions to assess skills and attributes. Unlike situational questions which revolve on hypothetical situations, behavioural questions focus on your previous record and practice. Because they are based on real-life examples, these questions provide employers insight on how you would perform in a given scenario, not just how you would theoretically perform.

As with any question, you should take a moment to think about what the interviewer is really asking or looking for. Here are some example questions on how these questions might be asked.

Example question 1: Tell me about a time when you had to adapt to a change in the workplace over which you had no control.

How to answer: Adaptive people stay calm under pressure, think on their feet, follow procedure and produce results despite the scenario presented to them. Therefore, the interviewer will be looking for you to demonstrate how you would approach a problem like this. You should use the STAR technique [hyperlink] to help you structure your answer.

Example of a good answer: While working as an Assistant-in-Nursing at an Aged Care facility, I was first at the scene for a resident who had fallen in the shower unwitnessed and was unconscious. After calling for help and considering my personal safety, I then sought the instruction of a Registered Nurse, under whose supervision I was working under. She instructed me to call for emergency services, and then asked for my assistance with positioning the resident in a safer manner. The resident was able to receive further medical attention at our local hospital, and has since returned to the facility.

Example question number 2: Tell me about a time when you supported a colleague who was struggling.

How to answer: Again, use the STAR method to help structure your answer. This time, your response should demonstrate your empathy, communication skills, and ability to work in a team.

Example of a good answer: “A colleague who had only recently joined the team was having some difficulty with using a new piece of equipment. I offered to assist them with operating the equipment, as well as provide them with some ongoing training and support. After a few issues, they have since been using the equipment proficiently, and they have been able to improve their practice using the knowledge they have gained.

Remember, these competencies and behaviour vary from job to job, so familiarise yourself with the job description before the interview. Having examples off the cuff will enable you to answer these questions more confidently and will allow you to really showcase your skills.

Feeling more confident? If you need any more support, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association members can call 02 8595 1234. If you’re not yet a member, you can also sign up here.

And if you’re lucky enough to receive a placement, check out the amazing Transitioning to the Workplace workshops, offered by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association. 

Nurse Blake’s 5 top tips for New Grads!

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Nursing ain’t easy – and it definitely isn’t easy being a New Grad! Check out everyone’s favourite nurse blogger, Nurse Blake‘s top 5 tips for your first year of nursing. 

1. Be curious
Just because we finished school doesn’t mean we know everything. In nursing, we should be learning something new every day. Be curious and ask questions. Your curiosity can save lives!

2. Breathe
No matter what job you have in nursing, it’s going to keep you BUSY! When you go throughout your day, remind yourself to breathe. Use this time to reflect on a task you completed, a life you just saved, or an emotional moment you had with a patient. We can spend so much time completing tasks, running around, and critically-thinking that we forget to take short moments to breathe and focus on why we became a nurse.

3. Introduce Yourself
You’re going to encounter so many different people on your shift and instead of just saying hello, introduce yourself. This will enhance communication on your unit and will build a healthier work environment.

4. Be Involved
Nurses have the power to really make a positive impact on how healthcare is delivered in our communities. Participate in your unit practice council, join a professional nursing organization, and volunteer in your community. We can be patient advocates on and off the clock.

5. Be Kind to Yourself
We put so much effort (physically, mentally, and emotionally) caring for others that sometimes we forget to care for ourselves. We must show ourselves the same compassion, kindness, and respect that we show our patients and their families. If we aren’t 100%, we can’t care for others 100%. Take time to relax and re-energize! So yes, it’s totally OK to take your lunch break and use your PTO to go on vacation!

As a fellow nurse, know that I’m here for you and I support your nursing journey! It’s going to be one crazy ride but it’s so worth it. As other nurses follow in your footsteps be sure to inspire, motivate, and help them since we are all in this together!

Nurse Blake at his graduation

❤️ Nurse Blake (I graduated 5 years ago and am honoured to be in the nursing profession with you.)

This article was re-posted from Nurse Blake‘s Facebook page, with permission.

5 things to know before becoming a nurse

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Want to be a nurse? Here’s 5 things you REALLY need to know!

  1. Hollywood gets it wrong.

Think nursing is all glitz and glamour? Reckon Dr McDreamy will walk in any moment now? Nursing is a world of fun, but it’s not what the silver screen portrays it be. There’s a lot of guts, blood and other bodily fluids, and you deal with a very diverse range of patients and staff. But don’t worry: it’s a very rewarding job.

Photo Credit: Grey’s Anatomy Wikia
  1. Male nurses do exist.

In fact, over 10% of Australian nurses identify as men. They work in every field, and are an important part of our nursing teams.

Male nurses make up over 10% of our workforce | Photo Credit: Canva
  1. We are the most trusted profession for a reason

Nurses go through a lot of training, a lot of class work, and a lot of practical experience. We also get to see people at their most vulnerable. It takes a lot of effort, guts and heart, but it’s why we’re so well trusted within our communities.

  1. There are a lot of acronyms.

RN, EN, CNE, DON. What the heck are all of these acronyms! Nurses have their own language and jargon, and it can be pretty intimidating for those new to our profession. But we promise you’ll get the hang of it!

Being an educator is juyst one of many opportunities available to you as a nurse | Photo Credit: Getty
  1. The opportunities are endless.

Regardless of what you want to do, there’s an opportunity in our nursing family for you. It’s not all clinical work for nurses; you can also go into management, education or even academia. There’s no shortage of options for you to sink your teeth into!

Being a nurse might seem scary, but it’s a challenge well worth facing. Check out the list of nursing and midwifery courses here. And when you join, make sure you join your Professional Association!

Do you know what benefits you’re entitled to as a member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association?

Our members in the public, private and aged care sectors have together achieved great gains for our profession. By becoming a member, you’ll be joining over 67,000 nurses and midwives in NSW and share the benefits of belonging while participating in a wide range of Association activities – as often or as little as you choose. Membership is also fully tax deductible.

Check out all the benefits on this page. If you are not yet a member and would like us to contact you, please complete this form:

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