advise for shadow day

patwil73 · Jan 23, 2008

I am assuming you are a nurse who just passed boards, yes? If so and you are thinking of hiring on there then come in business casual but bring along a set of scrubs to wear also (they might give you a set to wear during your stay). Bring a clipboard and a few pens or pencils to take lots of notes. They shouldn't be asking you to do any nursing activities so I wouldn't worry about a stethoscope unless they request you bring one.

When shadowing in an ER the key is to stay beside or behind the nurse you are shadowing, write down your questions as you see things and then ask them in the quick break between patients - a good person you are shadowing will explain to both you and the patient what is going on, but you will still have questions that mostly should be asked without the patients present. Be as unobtrusive as you can and don't volunteer advice on how to do something unless asked. If people start running into your room get to a wall and remain still. If you feel like you are going to faint during something you are observing - SIT DOWN! Nothing ruins your chances of getting hired on like fainting on top of a sterile line insertion and pulling the vent tube out when you go.

Write down the mood of the ER (is everyone always stressed, do nurses interact like friends with the docs or is it always "yes, Dr. ___). Write down any skill or task you see performed that you have not done or don't feel you do well (that way if you get asked for an interview and get hired you have a built in list of things you can ask to work on during orientation). Watch who people turn to for help - they will be your life-savers in a busy ER. Be nice to the secreteries and any support people - they make your job much easier.

Hope this all helps

Pat

ergito2 · Jan 23, 2008

Thanks a lot, Pat. Those are great advise. I just got informed that the interview would be before the shadowing. Do you have any suggestions on what kind of questions they will ask? What are the benefits working in an OR in your opinion? Thanks!

patwil73 · Jan 29, 2008

Thanks a lot, Pat. Those are great advise. I just got informed that the interview would be before the shadowing. Do you have any suggestions on what kind of questions they will ask? What are the benefits working in an OR in your opinion? Thanks!

Every manager is different on what they will ask. Most seem to want to know why you chose this particular specialty, what other specialties you are interested in, what makes you qualified for this position (think a lot about this - do you work well under pressure, can you adapt easily, can you handle lots of people screaming, crying, moaning in pain and understand how to prioritize them). Some might ask what your nursing goals are - (if your true love is OB and your just taking this as a fill in, chances might be lower on getting the job).

They might ask you a nursing question - you have a person come in with X ailment or complaint. What do you do? Always take a moment to breathe and think through your response. Remember the ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Hopefully they won't be trying to trick you, but instead to see how well you understand acuity.

As for OR - I have never really worked in one. My hospital it operates 0700-2300 or so (not one shift). They always have someone on call when the OR is closed, so if you don't mind frequent on-call and getting called in (I call the team maybe 3-4 times on a 6 night stretch). I might be wrong, but it could be more routine than an ER, since once you know how the cases go, they mostly follow the same procedure (always be aware that things can go bad in a hurry, and since it doesn't happen often, it might be tougher to respond since you are not using those skills frequently)

They do get cool caps.

Hope this helps

Pat