First interview for the ED, help!

gunny48 · Dec 5, 2012

Don't know if you did any clinicals in ED but usually you don't get much more than a few IV sticks, foleys, med preps, etc. I would try to find out as much as I could about that ED/hospital and be ready to tell them why you want to be there. ED can go from almost "office visit" scenario to "Help!" in an instance. Good ED's are staffed by people at all levels that help each other out when necessary. Tell them you want to be part of that team. If you don't know something don't try to bluff - admit you don't know but that you would be there to learn and you will always get the answers needed to do your job. Thank them for the opportunity to interview when you're through. GOOD LUCK!

caseywestt · Dec 5, 2012

Gunny-

Thank you so much, that is great advice! I actually had clinicals in this particular ED and totally loved it there. It would seriously be an honor to work alongside the nurses that I precepted with, they are all so talented! I need to remember that they don't expect me to be perfect, just willing to learn and ask for help when needed! Thanks!!

gunny48 · Dec 5, 2012

The only other thing you can do is pray. Sounds like you're going to be all right! You're welcome.

NurseJessie2 · Dec 6, 2012

Some of the questions I got when I interviewed in the ED where I currently work...1) Tell me about a time during clinicals where you had to think fast? 2) What is your biggest fear about being a nurse. 3) Why do you want to work in the ED? 4) What was your favorite clinical in nursing school? 5) Tell me about a patient during clinicals who was difficult and how did you handle it?

Hope this helps

scrubsandasmile · Dec 6, 2012

I had similar questions to NurseJessie in my interview for the ED which I will start working at in January.

I had nearly no "knowledge" based questions and very few people who are in my class who are/ did interview places had knowledge based questions, however questions such as, "Tell us about a time when you had to be a leader" came up a lot. Other examples:

"Talk to us about a time when you made a mistake and how you fixed it." "Tell us about a time that you used critical thinking to solve a problem"

Hope this helps! :up:

caseywestt · Dec 6, 2012

thanks so much, super helpful!

Prettyladie · Dec 6, 2012

I've had several panel interviews. All ethical based questions. Tell me about a time when you had a difficult patient, how dd you handle it. Tell me about a time you were an advocate for a patient. Tell me about a time you had a difficult situation with a coworker. It' wasn't until I graduated and had some experience did I start getting questions like, your patient is exhibiting these symptoms what is this indicaive of, and what do you as a RN do, what is your order of priority, or what rhythm is this, what s/s would your patient have and what med and what dosage would you give? But usually, new grad, or new RN, I've been asked, Why such and such hospital, tell me what you know about our facility. Hope this helps!

amarilla, RN · Dec 6, 2012

Welcome and congratulations on the interview!

Everyone has already given you good questions they will ask *you*, but what about the questions you will ask them? I was asked some of the questions mentioned on my last interview - tell us what teamwork means to you, about a time you went above and beyond for someone and why, would you report a coworker you saw doing something wrong or approach them first, which are you most afraid of - failure or humiliation (yowch!), etc. After I answered what seemed like many, many questions, the ED Director, NM and charge RN sat back and said "okay....now what would you like to ask us?", and the room went entirely silent awaiting me to say something. Have your questions ready!

What do you want to know that shows your interest in the ED *and* their facility?

Prettyladie · Dec 6, 2012

Ask how you will be evaluated in your program, will you have more than one preceptor. Will you have an opportunity to rate them. Ask if you feel uncomfortable at the end of the residency, can it be extended.

caseywestt · Dec 7, 2012

Thank you everyone for your responses! Any advice is helpful to me (: