Anxiety during interview

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in School Nursing.

I am so upset. I had been looking forward to this interview for over a week; researching everything I could about school nursing; looking into courses I could take that would benefit me in this position like first aid for peds, PALS, etc. The more I read about school nursing, the more excited I got about this upcoming interview because I know it is my niche.

Instead of telling me about the position first (I had a zillion questions!), they started the interview by asking me all of the hard questions. My anxiety level was so high that I could not even articulate. I felt that I was not smoothly answering the questions and was going off topic, talking in circles and not really answering the original question. The problem is I get so anxious over something if I really want it. I do great in interviews where I am not that excited about the job. A lot is at stake. I have been unemployed now for over three months and I need to start a job ASAP. In addition, I just stopped taking Klonopin because I ran out recently and do not have medical insurance or money to go back to the doctor. I had to wean myself off of it, but it hasn't been that long ago and my nerves are absolutely shot with all of this stress.

The sad thing is, I know I would be great at this job but I couldn't really demonstrate that today how I would have liked, and I wish I had a second chance to do this interview over. They are doing interviews today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, and I know now I don't have any kind of a chance. I really wish they would have told me about the position first to give me time to loosen up and find out a little bit more about what they were expecting before all of the questions. Sorry just had to vent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Tele.

Ugh I feel your pain! I stutter really bad when I'm nervous. I am NOT looking forward to the interview for a job when I graduate. I'm just hoping I get someone who sees past that. The problem is I know what I wanna say I just can't say it sometimes when I'm nervous :( I hope they don't see that as a weakness and me not knowing what to say!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You MUST get in contact with your doctor about the Klonopin- going off of it cold turkey can lead to very serious problems and harm. There has to be a way to get seen- community clinic, payment plan, something.... if all else fails, go to the ER and bring a copy of the list of meds from your pharmacy (so they can see it's a legit prescription). This is really important.

Benzodiazepines have a secondary period of detox/withdrawl symptoms... this isn't "just" anxiety if you're within the window for this secondary set of symptoms.

You won't get any job if you have a seizure while driving..... PLEASE !! Call your MD.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

That's a shame. Perhaps you can send them a thank you note for the interview, and casually mention that you were so excited by the opportunity that you became flustered, and then recap your strengths and why you are the woman for the job.

And regarding the Rx, can you call the Dr's office and see if they'll authorize a onetime refill? Or what about a free clinic, county hospital, etc?

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel you too!!! In so many ways...First, can you find a psych provider to see you on a sliding scale? I know that that particular med is generally pretty inexpensive in generic form. It is so hard to go off like that, and rebound anxiety is no joke!!!

Also, when I interview, I make sure all the way there to tell myself over and over "I rock!!! I am perfect for this job!!! I am confident! I can do this!!" A little fight music of your choice helps too...A good friend or family member to give you a ride can also help a lot.

Then, I think the most important thing...When a tough question comes flying at you...Take your time..Think!!! What feels like an eternity for you in reality is probably only a few seconds. In fact, you can even say "May I have a moment to think about that?"

I have walked out of so many interviews kicking myself wishing I had taken the time to really think.

Once I realized that forming a quality answer is much more important than being quick, my interviews started going much better!!!

And who knows, maybe you did better than you think!!! I have been there too, thinking I did awful only to find out I kicked it's butt!!!

Good luck and don't give up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I called my doctor's office and left a voicemail on their nurse line. I also called the pharmacy. I explained on the nurse line about possibility of seizures. No one has called me back yet and they are horrible about returning calls. I'm sure they will expect me to come in for an office visit and I can't do that now... no insurance. I will look into community clinics.

This is such bad timing for such a great job opportunity that I know I would be perfect for. Maybe I will send them a thank you e-mail and explain that I was just so nervous. I did state that once in the interview, but not sure if it made a difference. Thanks for the replies :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

Did you know that most doctor's offices will charge you less for a cash visit than your health insurance deductable if you let them know in advance?

My PCP actually didn't even charge me for a year because he knew I was unemployed. The times he did charge me, it was less than 1/2 of what the office visit would have cost had I had insurance.

Just call your doctor and ask about paying cash and a discount.

Dealing with insurance companies are a PITA for medical offices. It's worth a discount not to have to deal with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think its the Klonopin withdrawal that is making you anxious. When my sister's friend stopped taking it, her face would turn red and she would start sweating any time she spoke to her boss at work or even someone that she didn't know. She had some mild anxiety before taking them, but she said it was 100X worse when she stopped taking it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

My doctor's office called in a refill of the klonopin for me. I was kind of excited about getting off of the klonopin but I guess now is not the right time. I just hope that one day I will be able to.

As far as the school position goes, I think I will send them an email and explain what Mr.ChigagoRN said. Thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My doctor's office called in a refill of the klonopin for me. I was kind of excited about getting off of the klonopin but I guess now is not the right time. I just hope that one day I will be able to.

As far as the school position goes, I think I will send them an email and explain what Mr.ChigagoRN said. Thanks :)

I'm SO glad you got that taken care of :) I worried about you last night :) I wanted to cut my Klonopin out as well, because of interstitial lung disease from multiple PEs- and not wanting to be on anything I could get rid of that could cause respiratory depression. Well, I got it from 4 mg to 2 mg, and couldn't tolerate it any more than that (it's for dysautonomia and seizures).

Sometimes we just have to take stuff, even if we don't want to:).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.
I'm SO glad you got that taken care of :) I worried about you last night :) I wanted to cut my Klonopin out as well, because of interstitial lung disease from multiple PEs- and not wanting to be on anything I could get rid of that could cause respiratory depression. Well, I got it from 4 mg to 2 mg, and couldn't tolerate it any more than that (it's for dysautonomia and seizures).

Sometimes we just have to take stuff, even if we don't want to:).

Aww, you are so kind. It's nice to know someone out there was thinking about me. I'm sorry to hear about your lung disease and PE's. That has to be difficult for you. I can understand your concerns about the respiratory depression. I only take 0.5 mg at night, but sometimes I wake up in the morning and feel that my respirations are actually faster, like I'm not getting enough oxygen.. if that makes sense. I SO wish I could redo my job interview today after taking my klonopin. It would have been a difference between night and day. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Aww, you are so kind. It's nice to know someone out there was thinking about me. I'm sorry to hear about your lung disease and PE's. That has to be difficult for you. I can understand your concerns about the respiratory depression. I only take 0.5 mg at night, but sometimes I wake up in the morning and feel that my respirations are actually faster, like I'm not getting enough oxygen.. if that makes sense. I SO wish I could redo my job interview today after taking my klonopin. It would have been a difference between night and day. :)

Are you sure it went as bad as it felt? The anxiety may have made it seem so much worse....can you call them? Maybe ask to talk to them again? All they can say is no :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment