ED interview

[Boston-RN, RN]

OK I figured this would be a duplicate thread but I can't find one already started (if there is one please let me know)

I have an interview on Tuesday in my hospital for an ED position. I have 2 years exp (1 as LPN and 1 as RN) on a med/thoracic-surg floor. What kind of questions should I anticipate?

ANY help would be appreciated.....thanks

[rhondaa83]

If you were going to hire someone for the position that you are applying for, what questions would you ask them? Think about every single thing that you can about that job and write them down.

[2009newgrad]

I have just recently been through ED interviews so will throw in my 2 cents!

* Go back to when you first started nursing mentally - so that you don't take anything for granted, you have to say it for the interviewer to KNOW that you KNOW it! For example - if you're giving pain relief meds, say ALL of the steps (all of the checks, patient education, siderails up for safety, checking back to ensure effect, emesis bowl if nausea or anti-emetic if required etc, etc). As you have experience you may not automatically spell it all out - if you know what I mean?

* I had lots of questions on prioritising, eg patient with chest pain, patient who had soiled himself, hypoglycemia. So I had to spell it all out, and in the order I considered the most important. I added in anything and everything I could think of, meds (eg method of action, contraindications, duration, side effects) psychosocial needs (comfort, privacy, education, family support) - anything really. I kept going until I had given everything I could possibly know as a new grad and then said that I would refer/defer to senior staff as I am new grad and they are my most important resource, and have more knowledge etc, etc. I think that this was something that they wanted to hear from me

* I also had quite a few questions along the lines of staff conflict/dispute and making mistakes (my actions if I make or observe etc).

I hope this helps, good luck with your interview.

[sweetsounds]

I have done this a few times very recently. ?'s I was asked were really dumb.

Tell us about yourself...

Tell us about a difficult situation you experienced and how did you deal w/it?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

There is a litany of other inane ?'s.

Why did you leave your last position? What did you learn from it?

What are your goals?

It probably is a good idea to practice how you would answer these if you wouldn't be happy with the first thing that came out of your mouth.

You can also google your question. I found several sites with sample questions. Good luck.

[Boston-RN, RN]

Thanks for the help....I'll let you know how it goes.

[Boston-RN, RN]

I had my interview today....with HR, the unit CNS and then the Mgr....it went very well ..... some of the questions

- why do you want to work in the ED

- what are your strong points / weak points

- give an example of teamwork

- give an example of a difficult situation and how you handled it

- how do you deal with stress

- how are your prioritizing (sp?) skills

There were discussions as well and not just questions...what are your thoughts on what challenges you think you will face in the ED and not on the floor...

Hope this helps others

[ARKYLE]

Thanks, my interview in the ED is this thursday. Looking forward to the interview, just graduated and ready to start the BIG job. Good luck!