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Discussion

Does This ED Tech Screening Question Seem Odd?

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 would appreciate any thoughts

-a

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    • Featured Replies

    since gabby looked it up I would go with that I was going from memory.[/quote']

    I just googled it, did not check for accuracy! ?

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    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.

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    what is the relevance? makes no sense and dont see how this applies!

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    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!
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    Totally random question and not appropriate, IMO! Made me a laugh, though :)

    I also would have gotten it wrong.

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    • Experts

    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.
    http://www.mathopenref.com/scalene.html

    Right: one 90 degree angle

    Equilateral: all sides equal no angles equal

    Scalene: all sides never equal

    Isosceles: 2 sides equal two angles equal.

    How this applies to a nursing position...I have no idea.

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    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.

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    hm,,, scalene IS a muscle....

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    • Author

    *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 :)

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    congratulations.

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    • Experts
    *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 :)

    Good for you!!!!!!

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    Most are looking for a certain personality type but anyone can BS at test. What you can't is a first impression. Can tell if someone is going to fit you mix with in the first 5 mins or not. The questions you ask are just because you have to.

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