Interview for Acute Behavioral Health Unit - What questions would you be sure to ask?

Specialties Psychiatric

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Hi all,

I have an interview on Tuesday for a position in a Behavioral Health Unit at an acute care hospital. My background is in Progressive Care, Telemetry, and School Nursing. I have been out of the hospital setting for the last 4 years.

I would like to know from Psych nurses what questions should I be sure to ask in the interview? Are there any questions that you wish you would have asked when you interviewed for your position?

I do not have any experience with a behavioral health unit, and it has been awhile since I have been in a hospital setting. Is there any reading material or topics that you feel would be a good idea to read up on before starting a psych nursing job?

Can anyone give me an example of what a typical shift is like?

Thank you in advance!

Specializes in Home health, psych.

My interview was pretty traditional "give me an example..." My facility uses system wide interviewing questions. As far as questions to ask them I think asking what type and how long orientation is always a good one. I know you have worked in hospitals but bin new in psych having a good orientation may prove useful. A typical day is medications, assessing progress/meds, working with docs/case mgr to plan dc, and a lot of communicating, talking down, and deescalating situations as necessary.

The one question that I got asked that really threw me was, "This is a really acute floor and every nurse here has gotten their fair share of assaults done to them, what would you do if a patient punched you in the face?" I gave the best answer that I knew of - isolate the patient, keep other patients away from him or her, call security and follow hospital protocol. I got the job!

I would ask them what their nurse to patient ratio is; how each nursing shift is different from the other (evenings are usually harder than the other two shifts with nights being the easiest); and how they handle psych. codes.

Good luck!

Thank you arkool2004 and metricalpound for the advice!

What is a typical nurse to patient ratio on a psych unit? The one person I have talked to that works on a psych unit said their unit's ratio is 1 to 8.

This hospital only has two shifts 7a-7p and 7p-7a. I am interviewing for the day shift. So I guess part of the shift would fall into the evenings. I will be sure to ask them about how the shifts differ though. Thanks!

I would definitely ask what their nurse to patient ratio and what their mental health assistant to patient ratio is. I would examine the set up of the unit. I interviewed at a hospital that had 5 separate acute pods - 1 nurse and 1 tech to 10 patients. Not safe in my opinion. I would absolutely cover what the training/orientation is for both positions. The hospital that I just mentioned gave nurses 5 days and techs 3 days to orient. Being that there were 5 completely different units, this was outrageous. Safety is the most important factor in psych. Trust your instincts! If you feel there answers are evasive that could definitely indicate a problem. I had an evasive interview but accepted the position anyway - it was a second job, prn - and I lasted the first day of orientation. It was clear money was a greater priority over patient/staff safety and satisfaction. Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever psych position you land. You will be a great asset to a unit with your past experience.

I had my interview for a position in a behavioral health unit early february. The questions were generic "tell me about a time when you.." and about my mental health background during my clinical rotations. I asked about the orientation length (2 weeks but I could ask for an extension), the patient ratio (3-4 staff to 5-6 patients), their safety precautions in the unit, and policy about restraining/seclusion among other things. :) Working in a behavioral health unit is my dream starting point as I believe that this field, although it can really be stressful, is indeed very rewarding and enriching. :) Good luck fellow behavioral health RN!

Anypsychiatric nurses in state run facilities have advice for a perspective nurse?

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