ED interview tomorrow, suggestions?

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I am a new graduate nurse and I have my first interview tomorrow. It is in the Emergency Department. This is my dream job, so I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone may have. I've read websites about interviews in general, so now I'm just looking for some specific tips on emergency department interviews. Thanks for the help!

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Remember ABCs if asked a "what if" question about a patient. If you don't know the answer to any of the questions, say you don't know, but also tell how you would use your resources to find the answer. You aren't expected to know everything, especially as a new grad, but they will want to see evidence of critical thinking and know that you can find the answers that you need.

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Specializes in A and E, Medicine, Surgery.

First of all good luck. Remember the basics I give lots of credit when people turn up for interview looking smart, appear keen and have done their homework on the department.

I am in the UK so questions might be different but I would want to know the following:

What was your understanding (and any previous experience) of the working of an ED department. I would want you to know that you will be looking after anything and everything, any age, any condition, social and physical conditions.

What transferrable skills you had - anything in previous jobs or placements that you could bring to the role.

What about you as a person would make you a good ED nurse. The ED needs lots of different personalities so it's what you in particular could bring.

I would want you to be aware of how fast paced and intense the ED is and to have some strategies to demonstrate a work life balance.

We would ask how you feel about nursing violent and aggressive patients and how you would keep yourself safe.

There would be a couple of practical clinical questions. Nothing too complicated just for example you walk into a cublicle and find a patient has removed their oxygen mask and are slumped over and cyanosed what would you do. The situation is pretty irrelevant, what I would want to hear is that you would get help and whilst that was arriving you would work through your ABC's.

I would ask at least one question on something that is topical to our department, for example stroke thrombolysis and expect you to have at least some idea about it.

I would ask were you saw yourself in 5 years time, to get an idea of what your future vision was.

When you get to the part of have you any questions if you ask about training opportunities then that always gets bonus points with me.

As a newly qualified nurse I would be much more interested in your potential rather than experienced. I would not be expecting a huge knowledge base but would want an applicant to be keen, prepared and hungry for the job.

Once again the very best of luck.

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First of all good luck. Remember the basics I give lots of credit when people turn up for interview looking smart, appear keen and have done their homework on the department.

I am in the UK so questions might be different but I would want to know the following:

What was your understanding (and any previous experience) of the working of an ED department. I would want you to know that you will be looking after anything and everything, any age, any condition, social and physical conditions.

What transferrable skills you had - anything in previous jobs or placements that you could bring to the role.

What about you as a person would make you a good ED nurse. The ED needs lots of different personalities so it's what you in particular could bring.

I would want you to be aware of how fast paced and intense the ED is and to have some strategies to demonstrate a work life balance.

We would ask how you feel about nursing violent and aggressive patients and how you would keep yourself safe.

There would be a couple of practical clinical questions. Nothing too complicated just for example you walk into a cublicle and find a patient has removed their oxygen mask and are slumped over and cyanosed what would you do. The situation is pretty irrelevant, what I would want to hear is that you would get help and whilst that was arriving you would work through your ABC's.

I would ask at least one question on something that is topical to our department, for example stroke thrombolysis and expect you to have at least some idea about it.

I would ask were you saw yourself in 5 years time, to get an idea of what your future vision was.

When you get to the part of have you any questions if you ask about training opportunities then that always gets bonus points with me.

As a newly qualified nurse I would be much more interested in your potential rather than experienced. I would not be expecting a huge knowledge base but would want an applicant to be keen, prepared and hungry for the job.

Once again the very best of luck.

Yeah, what she said...:D

I have had all of these questions during interviews for different positions. Not necessarily all in one interview, but cummulatively.

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Thank you all for the help! I hope it goes well :)

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Specializes in Neurosurgical, Orthopedic, Wound Care.

What can you contribute to the unit?

Why did you choose this organization?

Why did you choose nursing?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

In your clinical or work experience tell me about a time when. . . . . ?

...you had a "difficult" patient. . .

...made a mistake....'

...were creative....

....had a conflict with staff/physician/co-worker/classmate...

Be prepared to describe what you did and why you did it.

What would your current manager say about you?

Also, be ready to ask questions!

These are the questions that I have been asked recently.

Good luck, let us know!

;)

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Specializes in Neuro, Neuro ICU.

No advice since I'm not a nurse yet, but GOOD LUCK :)

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Thanks everyone! I think the interview went well. The only question I bombed was "what type of animal would you be and why?" I can't believe I didn't have an answer prepared! My mind just completely blanked. I blurted out "A cheetah!" and when asked why, I said "Because they're fast." LOL oops! Oh well, they got a laugh out of it. I hope it turns out ok. I won't hear back for a week to 10 days. Thanks again for all of the advice! :)

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Specializes in ER, ED.

Congrats - glad to hear the interview went well!!

I am in the same position as you - I am graduating in a few weeks (eeeeek!!) and my dream job is in the ER. None of the hospitals in my area are hiring new grads right now, but I did submit a resume to one hospital, and I got a call that they want to interview me!!!! I am unbelievably excited and the answers in this thread are really helpful - so thanks everyone!!!

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SkiingCait, I hope your interview went well!

Unfortunately, I got a call today saying I didn't get the job :crying2:

I was pretty surprised, because I thought the interview went really well and they asked me to shadow and I did, and that went well too (or at least I thought it did). Pretty discouraging, but I'm trying not to get down.

Thanks for all of the advice though!

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You sound like a super nurse. Send a thank you note to whomever interviewed you. If not to intrusive ask for a post interview appointment, ask what you could have done to get the job. Keep your name in their minds, jobs will open up in that ER.

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This has been extremely helpful! Thank you all for your input!

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