answers for an interview for a new job

[ralph lauren]

Please, I need an intelligent answer to this APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

1. Goals in life as an experienced nurse and how they are met?

2. How do you react if after getting a report from an outgoing nurse, you found out that there are things that were not done?

3. How do you react if one of your colleagues complain about your nursing care?

4. To be considered as an EFFECTIVE nurse, what should be your characteristics?

5. How do you handle criticism?

6. How do you handle a difficult family/ visitors in an ICU setting?

Thanks everyone and God Bless!

[RockyCreek]

1. Goals in life as an experienced nurse and how they are met?

My goals as a nurse are the same as the goals that I have in all the other areas of my life -- first, do no harm; second, never forget that everyone you meet in life is important to and loved by someone -- treat them with respect; and, third, if you stop learning, you stop living. If I am a very lucky person, I will never 'phone it in' or go through the motions -- I will be totally present in all that I do.

2. How do you react if after getting a report from an outgoing nurse, you found out that there are things that were not done?

This is dependent on the seriousness of the problem. If I find out that you didn't saline lock a TVO IV after an antibiotic run, I would probably not think too much about it. If you didn't empty the bedside commode, I might not think nice thoughts about you for a few minutes. If, you left a patient in pain or an unsafe condition, you can bet I will leave you a note or talk to you at the next report. But, and this is very important, I will always immediately report ANY injurious or illegal acts including fraudulent documentation because I am first and formost my patients advocate.

3. How do you react if one of your colleagues complain about your nursing care?

This, too, is dependent on the the seriousness of the problems stated. If my colleagues don't like my brand of shoes, I don't care. If they do things left-handed and I do them right-handed but both ways are equally safe, effective and acceptable to the facility, I would agree to disagree. If, however, I have done something dangerous, illegal, immoral or disrespectful, I would appreciate hearing it from my peers. I would like to think that I could depend on my fellow nurses to hold me to the highest possible standards because anything less is unthinkable.

4. To be considered as an EFFECTIVE nurse, what should be your characteristics?

First, you have to be Conspicuous -- if no one knows you are there, you cannot have any effect. Second, you have to be Assertive - if you do not act to teach, speed healing and promote health, you have miss the best parts of nursing! Third, you have to use Research proven methods to effect the best possible outcomes. Lastly, you have to Empathize with the patient, their family/visitors, and fellow staff in regards to the stress, imconvenience and uncertainties in life -- no one wants to be in the hospital, sick or injuried. They need us to understand all the emotional, psychological and spiritual needs that they can't always express for themselves. Put that all together and you can simply say an effective nurse takes good CARE.

5. How do you handle criticism?

I like to teach and, as a part of the process of mentoring new staff, I note the good as well as the bad. I would like to think that I would be as willing to listen to an honest assessment on my care as one of my mentees. Especially at my yearly evaluation, I like to hear if my manager thinks of me as a valuable addition to the team but I also ask her for new challenges and goals. Should I, God forbid, start to lower my standards or lose my skills, I would want the people that I respect the most to be honest with me.

6. How do you handle a difficult family/ visitors in an ICU setting?

The hospital is my second home but it is like a foreign country to those in the high-stress situation like ICU. It took me over a year to be comfortable with the lights, the alarms and the pace; I can only imagine the feeling of being there for the first time in an emergency. My top priority is to stay in charge of the situation which is not the same as being bossy or a cop. I stay calm at all times and do not under any circumstances lose my composure. If I need help, I quietly ask for it -- be it for security or the chaplain. I acknowledge the need to express feelings while trying to channel them into something productive. If, for any reason, I don't feel like I can handle the situation, I admit it. We are all human and we all have different talents -- I call on my fellow staffers with the skills necessary just as I would expect them to call on me. Lastly, I try not to judge people based on what may be the worst day of their life -- my stress is only temporary while the duration of theirs is totally out of their control.

[ukstudent]

These are questions for YOU to answer. They are to find out what type of nurse/worker you would be and if that would fit into the unit/floor/hospital that you are applying for.

Different hospitals and areas within a hospital look for different things in the people. There is no one best answer. Just answer the best that you can.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

exactly....this is meant to be a chance for YOU to shine through....wow them with your answers...not give them a bunch of words that mean something to someone else....write what you feel...or have someone else write while you talk....either way, do a rough draft then put down your real answers....good luck!