The Biggest Interview Mistakes New Grad Nurses Make (And How to Fix Them)
Transitioning from nursing school to your first job can be overwhelming, and the interview process is a major hurdle. Many new grads unknowingly make common mistakes that weaken their responses and make them blend in with other candidates, or worse, underperform and get passed over. I’m going to break down the top interview pitfalls and, more importantly, how to fix them so you stand out as a strong, prepared candidate.
Here are some common trends I see when interviewing new grad nurses⤵️
1. Not Having a Strong Introduction
🚫The Problem:
Your introduction sets the tone for the interview, but many new grads stumble through it or sound unsure of themselves.
✅How to Fix It:
Have a confident and polished introduction prepared. Structure it around:
• Where you went to school, what recent jobs you've held
• Why you're interested in this specific role or specialty
• Why you'd be a great fit for this position
Example:
“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I recently graduated from [Nursing School] with my BSN. During my clinical rotations, I especially loved my time in [specific unit], where I worked closely with patients requiring [type of care]. I’m passionate about [specific area of nursing], and I’m excited about the opportunity to grow as a nurse in this role.”
💡Have you grabbed my free 'Tell Me About Yourself Guide' yet? If not - you can grab it here and plan out your introduction today!
2. Jumping Straight to the Result Without Context
🚫The Problem:
Many candidates rush through their answers and go straight to the outcome, skipping over key details that set the stage for their response. This makes it harder for interviewers to understand the full picture and your role in the situation.
✅How to Fix It:
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to organize your response.
• Provide a brief but clear Situation and Task before getting to the Action and Result.
Example of a weak response:
“I had a difficult patient who was upset, but I stayed calm and resolved the issue.”
Example of a strong response:
“During my clinical rotation in a busy med-surg unit, I had a patient who was frustrated because their pain wasn’t being well-managed. I introduced myself, listened to their concerns, and reassessed their pain level. I then communicated with the nurse and advocated for an updated pain management plan. As a result, the patient felt heard, their pain was better controlled, and they expressed appreciation for my care.”
3. Providing Too Much Detail on the Situation Without Explaining Your Actions
🚫The Problem:
Some candidates spend too much time describing the situation but don’t clearly explain what they personally did to address it. This makes it difficult for interviewers to assess problem-solving skills.
✅How to Fix It:
• Keep the Situation and Task concise (Just a couple sentences).
• Focus the majority of your response on the Action - what you did, not just what happened.
Example of an unbalanced response:
“During my clinicals, I was on a really busy floor, and we had a patient who was very confused and kept trying to get out of bed. The nurse was managing several critical patients, and the call light was going off frequently. The techs were also busy, and the whole floor was short-staffed.”
Instead, shift the focus:
“During my clinicals, I was on a busy med-surg unit when I noticed a confused patient trying to get out of bed. Recognizing the fall risk, I immediately went into the room, reoriented the patient, and engaged them in conversation to keep them calm while I notified the nurse. I also ensured the bed alarm was set and moved high-risk items out of reach. As a result, we prevented a potential fall, and the nurse thanked me for being proactive.”
4. Giving Long-Winded Answers
🚫The Problem:
Nervous candidates often over-explain, adding unnecessary details that make their responses too long and unfocused.
✅How to Fix It:
• Keep answers under two minutes to hold the interviewer’s attention.
• Practice your responses to identify and cut unnecessary details.
• Focus on key points - what the problem was, what you did, and what happened as a result.
• Record yourself or practice with a friend to get comfortable with concise answers.
5. Not Coming Prepared with Questions
🚫The Problem:
When candidates don’t ask questions at the end of the interview, they miss an opportunity to show interest and professionalism.
✅How to Fix It:
• Always have at least 2-3 thoughtful questions prepared.
• Examples of strong questions to ask:
• “What are some challenges new grad nurses typically face on this unit, and how do you support them?”
• “Can you tell me more about the orientation and mentorship process?”
• “What qualities make a new grad nurse successful in this role?”
Avoid generic questions like “What are the benefits?” - save those for the recruiter upon offer.
You've got this! Avoiding these common mistakes will help you feel more confident and prepared. The key is practice - the more you rehearse structured, concise responses, the more natural they’ll feel.
If you’re serious about landing your first nursing job, my New Grad Nurse Interview Bootcamp is designed to help you master your interviews and stand out as a top candidate.
Enrollment opens at various times throughout the year. You can learn more here.
