And what is with the wacky interview questions?

I'm sure I would have to politely and respectfully ask them to clarify exactly what they are asking me and what exactly are they wanting to know.

I had one interview w/HR. It was like a psych test- why?

Weirdest questions:

-Have you ever placed bets on a patient?

-How do you handle flow?

-Are you addicted to a positive personality?

Now, what exactly IS flow??? Change/dynamics? Menstral flow? Huh? Addicted? Are they trying to trap me into saying something?

Does getting the next interview, with the nurse manager, mean I passed the wacky interview? And will the RN ask me all kinds of crazy questions?

What is the best way to answer those kinds of questions?

I'm interested to know what kind of questions the NM asked you.

I was wondering about the flow question as well. I guess I would have said, "Usually I handle the flow with a tampon, but sometimes I use a pad".

Are you addicted to a positive personality? "No, I married an old grouch".

Have you ever made bets on a patient? Certainly, "I bet this ole bum lives to be a hundred", or "I bet this guy is gonna have a stroke when he sees his bill".

What stupid interview questions! Maybe they were just trying to see how you respond to wierdness? Maybe the test was just to see if you could think on your feet and not get flustered by being around idiots!!

Well, flat out NO, you haven't placed bets on pts, that would be unethical and rude (even if you secretly have).

Handling flow-- I would answer something to the fact of I feel that a positive attitude and good teamwork help a nursing unit to flow well, blah blah blah etc etc. I really have no idea what they are asking either!

Addicted to a positive personality-- I would answer something to the effect of positive personalities are essential to the health care team and important to you, but point out that you wouldn't call it an addiction (that word just sounds too loaded).

Basically, if the questions are going to be somewhat vague, your answers probably will be too. An interview with the NM will probably be more traditional, with questions like why do you want to work here, etc.

Sounds like the NM is an X-IT or from a casio. It may not be a great experience working for this person. Interviews are hard enough, why do managers think that they have to get so weird?

I had one interview w/HR. It was like a psych test- why?

Weirdest questions:

-Have you ever placed bets on a patient?

-How do you handle flow?

-Are you addicted to a positive personality?

Now, what exactly IS flow??? Change/dynamics? Menstral flow? Huh? Addicted? Are they trying to trap me into saying something?

Does getting the next interview, with the nurse manager, mean I passed the wacky interview? And will the RN ask me all kinds of crazy questions?

What is the best way to answer those kinds of questions?

I've been asked how I would handle certain situations or how I would prioritize duties but those are definately WEIRD questions...especially the "addicted to a positive personality" - what's that about?

I have bet on pts before. We have had bets in the ED on what a pt BAC level would be. (blood alcohol level) It is not like we would not take care of the pt, but sometimes it helps to lighten the situation up. We have also bet on a few of the pts complains coming into the fast track side. It is not like we have a wager board or anything. It is just something that is said in passing an is worth a soda out of the machine if you are right. We also bet when the chronically late staffer will show up. It is a way of bonding and getting a soda out of your co-workers. We usually have at least one bet a day.

Flow is the flow of the business, sort of like a cycle. In a successful workplace, all the workers have a specific job to do. If one person doesn't do their job well, from the doctors to nurses to janitors, etc., then it puts extra stress on the other workers, and disrupts the "flow"

C105, we all really know what flow is, but thanks for the lesson anyway. I think we are just reacting to the way things were asked. I hope you know the difference between sarcasm and ignorance.

We used to put a med cup on the nurses desk in ICU and bet quarters on what time a certain doc would finally get around to putting in a needed central line.

OK but for real...the questions sound like a psych facility. Could be your DON or the head of human resources has a background in psych.

Remember we are entering the age of "client satisfaction" but I don't see how asking questions about manic type thoughts are appropriate.

But now further examination tends to lean me toward thinking they are wanting to know if you are bi-polar or simply manic.

A simpler mind might plot your answers to find if you do drugs or have an addictive personality. I don't think minimum wage facilities stoop that low

Sorry if you got offended by what I thought was a legitimate question by some. When I got that question once on a job, I was thrown off by it because noone ever mentioned that to me before. I had to ask someone about it. Sorry if you think that me trying to help is so ignorant.

don't worry we all get dumb interview questions. One time I was in an interview for a educator position and I was told it was a salaried position and I would be working 60+ hours and week and getting paid less than I make now. Then they wanted me to prove how much I wanted the job. I was flabbergasted. I told them I liked my job/career but it wasn't my whole life I have a life outside the hospital. I didn't get the job and didn't want it. My real thought is can they tell the truth once and tell you that you are working for low wages, will get no backing from the nurse manager if a doc or pt complains.....