THE AENP INTERVIEW

Running Head: THE APRN INTERVIEW 1

The APRN Interview

Alejandro D Landa Morales

Advanced Primary Care III

Professor: Dr. Jaqueline Alonso

Florida National University

June 28, 2021

THE APRN INTERVIEW 2

What is proper etiquette for a job interview?

For most people, a job interview is a distressing experience and at the same time an

incredibly stressful time to which we should be adapted as adults. For the most part, job applicants

agree that being in the interview room, they all the time feel under scrutiny from strangers who

have valuable information written on a resume (Martin, 2019). It is important to note that a good

interviewer always observes an individual's etiquette before, during, and after the interview. These

are nothing more than a set of rules that show proper behavior and polite conduct. An example of

these would be table manners. When the proper etiquette is used in a job interview, we are getting

a great opportunity to convince the interviewer that they are without a doubt the candidate they

were looking for. Some of these labels have not changed with the passing of time they have even

been reinforced in the modern era. How to take the time to dress appropriately depending on your

future work environment. It is always good to research and research in detail the dress code used

by the employees of the applicant organization. An important point is the modesty and simplicity

of your wardrobe. Punctuality is another aspect to consider, do not arrive late or too early. For most

employers, an employee who keeps time is always appreciated, as he displays strong time

management skills (Martin, 2019). In our times, having a mobile phone is part of our lives.

Therefore, when you are getting to the room where you will be interviewed, do not forget to turn it

off. This will help avoid distractions that can wreak havoc during the interview and shows a high

degree of priority. Another important etiquette is to maintain eye contact with the interviewer, in

addition to smiling, which sends a signal of confidence to the listener. A smile makes you

accessible and always masks the nervousness that we undoubtedly have. However, avoid doing it

excessively. Consider that you should always greet the interviewer, and maintain an adequate

posture, this will help you improve the perception of his image (Tews et al. 2018). Finally, thank

THE APRN INTERVIEW 3

the interviewer after he ends the interview always with a pleasant smile or gesture, a courteous

tone, and a handshake. Remember that his best behavior is always worth it.

What's “good behavior” in a behavioral job interview?

We all know that behaving your best during an interview is an important step, but a

behavioral interview is not just about looks and a firm handshake. The behavioral interview

provides recruiters with the opportunity to assess an individual's past performance and general

behavior as indicators of their potential for success (King et al., 2020). In these cases, the

interviewees will answer questions about experiences, projects, or specific events of their careers

that will be made by the recruiter in question. It will develop a series of behavioral questions that

will help you better understand it as well as use your past performance as a tool to predict future

performance.

Good behavior in a behavioral interview involves doing background research on the

company culture and using these examples will show your willingness to join the team (King et al.,

2020). Always an important link is an honesty. Be honest when answering each question and be

specific when asked to describe a situation. At all times provide detailed information in your

answer which should be more than one sentence. Wrap each story with the lesson learned. Learn

not to put a limit on work experience. Use your life experiences from school or part-time jobs to

show how strong you are. Also prepare for any unexpected questions (King et al., 2020). Do your

research on the most frequently asked behavioral questions but be prepared for an unexpected

question.

Tell me about yourself; please include years of experience as a nurse and your previous work

history. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

THE APRN INTERVIEW 4

I graduated thirteen years ago in Cuba where I obtained my degree in Nursing. I came to

this country 5 years ago and three years ago I passed the exam that accredits me as a registered

nurse. Since then, I have been working in an interventional cardiology office. Right now, I am

looking to expose myself to new clinical areas to broaden my experience.

My goal right now is to find a position in the organization and take on new challenges over

time. I would like the opportunity to take on more management responsibilities. Being able to

improve myself and acquire more knowledge and advanced techniques in nursing would

undoubtedly help in the health care of my patients.

Over the next five years, I see myself taking on new and exciting projects within your

company that will prepare me for a management role with the organization.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to become a nurse educator and foster implementation of EBP in nursing.

How do you handle stress in the healthcare setting?

The literature describes various studies that show that one of the groups most affected by

stress in their daily work is made up of nursing professionals. Many events in our environment are

traumatic. That is why I always take a few minutes to connect with sadness, as it helps me build

resilience and cope. I also pause briefly and focus on finding a solution. I focus and direct my

attention to the practices and procedures that I need to employ to help a patient. The regular

practice of sports helps me to balance the hormonal system and contributes to the increase of well-

being. Doing yoga every night helps me reduce stress.

What clinical skills do you possess that will be most beneficial to this clinical practice?

I am an effective communicator. I can develop a nurse-patient relationship through three

phases of orientation, work, and resolution. I consider myself an excellent listener and I can

THE APRN INTERVIEW 5

understand the verbal and non-verbal signals of the patients. I am a nurse who practices empathy

so I can connect with patients and empower them to express their deepest feelings and fears related

to their medical care. I also have time management skills which will help me successfully manage

my daily responsibilities.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

One of my strengths is the ability to think critically and competently which helps me to

successfully perform my skills. I am an amazing listener, a good animator, communicator, and I

am comfortable multitasking. Patience is another of my strengths that as a nurse has helped me to

better treat my patients. Perseverance characterizes me because I don't quit easily until the job is

done properly.

However, one of my greatest weaknesses is that I become attached to my patients, which is

difficult for me when someone dies.

Describe how you handled a difficult situation that has involved a patient, physician, or

family member?

It is a challenge to work with elderly patients all the time, since they are independent and

due to the loss of skills, among other things, they now depend on strangers. I never forget one of

the most difficult patients of my life as a nurse. One of those days the man was arguing as usual

with everyone. When the patient was assigned to me, the idea did not thrill me at all, so I had to

prepare myself by reviewing his charts. It was then that I learned his story. Her lifelong wife with

whom he had no children recently had passed away from Alzheimer's and he was the one who took

care of her all the time. At that time, I did my best to connect with him beyond being my patient. It

took her a while, but she finally caught on and became one of my favorite people to visit every

day.

THE APRN INTERVIEW 6

How do you get along with your staff at your current position?

I maintain a professional relationship at work all the time, keeping in mind that patients are

our highest priority. I highly value teamwork, shared goal and mutual respect is the key to success.

In this way, I can say that I work in harmony with my colleagues.

Why should we hire you?

I should be part of your team because I have 8 years of international experience and 3 in

our country in nursing areas related to your organization. Which has enabled me to handle critical

situations with patients. I am confident that I can be an important asset to your organization and

strength in times of weakness.

What salary are you seeking?

I am expecting an appropriate salary for this role based on my nursing experiences and

knowledge.

THE APRN INTERVIEW 7

References

King, A. T., Gontarz, J., & Wei, H. (2020). Employee engagement and absenteeism: A step

towards improving patient care. Nursing forum, 55(3), 356–361.

https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12435

Martin. (2016, Dec 9). “Behaviors of Job Interview Etiquette that Make You Stand Out.” Retrieved

from: https://www.cleverism.com/job-interview-etiquette/

Tews, M. J., Stafford, K., & Michel, J. W. (2018). Interview etiquette and hiring

outcomes. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 26(2-4), 164-175.