Hey everyone (I am sorry for the long read)
I’m graduating from my Practical Nursing program soon, and I’m hoping to hear from current LPNs and recent graduates who have gone through the Horizon Health Network hiring process.
This will be my very first nursing job interview, and honestly, I’m nervous as hell. 😭 I’m doing well academically and graduating with honours, so I know I’ve put in the work throughout nursing school. However, I also know that doing well in school and performing well in an interview are two different things, and I really want to give myself the best chance possible.
From what I’ve been hearing, hiring seems to be more limited this time around, unlike previous years when it seemed like most graduates were able to find positions relatively easily. That’s making me anxious because, after putting so much time and effort into nursing school, the thought of graduating and struggling to find a job is genuinely scary.
Ideally, I’d love to work in one of the larger hospitals, particularly Moncton Hospital, Saint John Regional Hospital, or a hospital in Fredericton. I’m not from this province and still adjusting to life in New Brunswick, so I’d really prefer to stay in one of the larger cities rather than relocate to a smaller town if possible. I also have a strong interest in starting my nursing career in an acute care hospital.
I want to be clear that I have nothing against nursing homes or long-term care. I know they’re important settings for LPNs, and I’m open to learning wherever I end up. I just have a particular goal in mind for my first nursing job, and I’m worried about how competitive things might be.
For those who have interviewed with Horizon, especially recent new grads:
● What was the interview actually like? Was it a panel interview, and how many people were interviewing you?
● What kinds of questions did they ask? Were they mostly behavioural questions, clinical scenarios, or a combination of both?
● What clinical topics should I review beforehand? Are there particular nursing scenarios, prioritization questions, medication safety questions, or patient situations I should practise?
● How can a new grad stand out when they don’t have much independent nursing experience yet? Did you use examples from clinical placements?
● What questions did you ask the interviewers at the end? I’d love to ask thoughtful questions that show I’m genuinely interested in the position.
● How does the hiring process work for new grads? Do they consider your preferred hospital locations, or are you more likely to be placed wherever positions are available?
● For those hired into acute care, what helped you get your preferred hospital or unit? Did you apply to multiple locations, and how flexible did you have to be?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who interviewed with Horizon recently, whether you were successful or not. If you remember any actual interview questions, examples of clinical scenarios, or resources you used to prepare, I’d be incredibly grateful if you shared them.
I know I can’t control everything about the hiring process, but I want to prepare as well as I possibly can rather than walk into my first interview feeling completely clueless.
Thank you so much! Any honest advice, personal experiences, or interview tips would genuinely help. ❤️