Okay, so I was recently contacted by a nurse recruiter for a local hospital about an ED Tech job. I was thrilled since I have been wanting this particular job for the part 3-4 years.
So everything is going well and she wants to schedule an interview for the following week, but I have to complete a screening test.
This had the typical personality, reading, and math questions. Math and reading about 1 min per question timed. Except-- I came across one of the 7 or so math questions they had and this was it (verbatim):
If the measure, in degrees, of the three angles of a triangle are x, x+10, and 2x-6, the triangle must be...
a)iscosceles
b)equalateral
c)right
d)scalene
Honestly, I've only been out of high school for about 5 years, but what on earth!!?! I could not remember how to do this. Nevertheless, I did not get to schedule an interview because I got this wrong. The other questions were basic +/- x/dividing, decimals, etc. that were very simple and straightforward that I definitely got right.
My big question: How does this question adequately screen whether or not someone is a good fit for an ED Tech job?
I find the whole test odd. Is it "normal" in places for ERs to require a "Screening test" (reading writing, math, etc.) in order to get a tech position? This seems pretty pointless to me. I want a hard working tech with common sense knowledge...no someone who can solve an algebraic problem.
I explained it in my first post. they put in things like this, so that they pick a friend/relative for the job, after every one else "failed" the test.
what is the relevance? makes no sense and dont esee how this applies!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I had NO IDEA! What the heck! I would have failed too. It probably had to do with other questions as they were looking for a specific "fit" I hate these kind of tests.
My son a junior in high school, and my daughter a high school senior knew the answer....
x + x + 10 + 2x-6 = 180
4x = 176
So the three triangle sides are
x = 44
x + 10 = 54, and
2x -6 = 82
The triangle is scalene.
Scalene triangles are triangles where each side is a different length. They are unusual in that the are defined by what they are not. Most triangles drawn at random would be scalene. The interior angles of a scalene triangle are always all different. The converse of this is also true - If all three angles aruale different, then the triangle is scalene, and all the sides are different lengths.
It's one of those typical critical thinking types of questions - if all 3 angles are different (based on the information given), you can rule out equilateral (all 3 would be the same # of degrees), isosceles (2 are the same) and right (one has to be = to 90 and if that's the case, none can be as big as 2x -6) so the only one left is scalene ... but if you haven't done geometry in a while, this would be a total guess at the answer question ...but what it has to do with selecting someone for an ED tech job I have no idea.
*Update* Got an interview at a different hospital ED and got an offer on the spot! Just thought I'd update for anyone who may read this in the future and want encouragement to keep trying :)
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
*Update* Got an interview at a different hospital ED and got an offer on the spot! Just thought I'd update for anyone who may read this in the future and want encouragement to keep trying :)
morte, LPN, LVN
7,015 Posts
since gabby looked it up I would go with that, I was going from memory.