Psych Nursing Interview for a new grad

[justdoiting]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated with my BSN in May and have been given the opportunity to interview for a psych position at the hospital I am working at now as a nursing attendant. The interview is in less than a week. Psych was my first choice. I really loved my psych rotations and am excited to start a career in that area. i'm just nervous about the interviews (with HR and the nurse manager). Any general guidelines/advice for psych nursing interviews?

[pinkiepieRN]

Know your psych meds, or at least a few from each classification (anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, etc.). Be prepared for "scenario" questions - like "tell me about a time..." and "what would you do if..." Don't be afraid of asking questions or asking for the interviewer to re-phrase a question if you didn't understand. Finally, safety first! Safety is always the most important priority in psych, both for you and your patients!

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Also, know your diagnoses, even if just in broad general categories. For example, You don't need to differentiate between schizophrenia, schizoid, or schizo-affective, but just know the big characteristics that class of patient might present.

Go to Home - American Psychiatric Nurses Association. & look around.

CPI Case Studies: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training | CPI The information capsules are a quick read. Don't memorize them, just familiarize yourself with the concepts.

Good luck!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Remember that the patient's safety always takes priority over everything.

Also remember that psych patients, even involuntary ones, do retain the right to refuse treatment and medications. They may only get medicated against their will in emergency situations (as in they are an immediate danger to themselves/others) or if they are specifically court-ordered to receive the medications.

Be prepared to explain how you would handle an escalating patient, as in what interventions you'd try first and what you'd do if they didn't work. Remember that seclusion/restraints are last resorts.

Know the serious side effects of psychotropics such as NMS, EPS, etc., and what you would do should serious side effects arise.

And know the basics of therapeutic communication.

Plus everything Pinkie and Chicago mentioned :)

Best of luck!

[justdoiting]

Thanks so much for the advice guys. I really appreciate it!