A&E interview..so nervous...help!!

skylark, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2011

Government targets and data capture are what its all about now. You might think its nursing but in fact its all just IT work in disguise. :banghead:

We now have a crazy IT system, ALL patients have to be assessed using the computerized system, there is no card printed out until you have booked them in and done the nursing assessment. Crazy in a code, there is no card and nowhere to write meds given or record the resus details : (

But its what the government wants, data capture is the new priority, not saving lives :uhoh3:

:nurse: OK, some less cynical aspects -

why do you want to do A&E? What is your current job and what will you hope to gain by moving?

If its a band 5 they won't ask too much technical stuff, but be aware that A&E is all about assessing and prioritizing. Ask what triage system they use, and how they prepare you for assessing new patients.

Ask about resus training, see if you can get ILS and PILS out of them, and ask about the A&E course as well.

A lot of it will depend on the particular A&E and the specialities available in that hospital. Are you expected to see peds for example?

See if you can work an agency shift or two in the department before the interview, I always do that so that I have a better idea of what I am letting myself in for! :uhoh3:

RNpinky · Aug 7, 2011

thank you Skylark for your message.

government targets..thanks for mentioning this i would have never of thought to research this!!

Im pretty sure they have trained peds nurses in the A+E but im guessing would need some peds training!

No time to work shift beforehand im afraid will be going in blind!

do you think it would be okay to write some bits down and take in with me in interview as i go completly blank when im interviewed and just mumble a load of nonsense!!!!

xxxx

skylark, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2011

Sadly A&E is one of the more 'political' areas, its where so many targets are focused. The interview will reflect that. THey won't really be interested in your background, or clinical skills, it will be more to do with strategy and targets.

Read up about the good old 4 hour waits, and referral times, and then all the stuff about equal opps and accessing healthcare too.

This is an old article, but there are some good points, and the comments at the end will give you more insight into the wonderful world of target driven data capture, ooops sorry, I meant healthcare! :uhoh3:

http://www.nursingtimes.net/whats-new-in-nursing/acute-care/ae-waiting-time-targets-face-axe/5015739.article

Taking a list of questions would be impressive, but taking a bunch of notes might not be : )

RNpinky · Aug 11, 2011

Skylark i just want to thank you so much for your messages they have been so helpful and its mostly down to your helpful comments that i got offered the job!!!

you were completly right about the interview they wernt really intrested in my experince or clinical skills!!!

thank u again xxxx

skylark, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

That's great that you got the job, well done! :yeah: :yeah:

Sorry I have not been here for a couple of days, I ended up working etxtra nights becuase of the "situation", all those wonderful local kids rioting : (

We've been stood down now, back onto regular off-duty, so its time to chill and phone for a pizza. We've had no pizza at work for nearly a week, the motoribike delivery guys were too scared to be out there. :uhoh3:

And everybody knows you can't run an A&E at night without pizza . . . . : ) :nurse:

RNpinky · Aug 11, 2011

Thank you :)) Felt Interview went badly and they didnt like me.....then they phoned!!

I had wondered how it had affected nurses working in the rioting areas!

oohh Pizza at night time....now i cant wait to start heheh xxxxx

skylark, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2011

If you are in London, Dominos pizza do 10% discount for NHS staff, and also Tops Pizza does buy on get one free on Tuesdays.. :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

I'll probably get into trouble again for this post, I guess its advertizing !

Write down the info quick before the mods delete it :yeah:

Note to self - must remember to write about nursing sometimes and not just pizza.