Have you blanked in an interview??

Published

Hi,

So, have you ever blanked in an interview, yet still get hired?? I mean, did you give a wrong answer to knowledge-related question??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I haven't blanked on a knowledge question, but I did completely lock up in an educator interview with HR last year. She asked me what parts of my MSN were specific to teaching people. Because our classes were mostly advanced theory, pharm, assessment, and management I didn't know what to say! I couldn't list techniques or anything. Unfortunately I did not get the job, but I also had been off the floor for two years with my children and didn't have any formal educator role experience. What did you blank on?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It's completely acceptable to respond to a question with "can I think about that for a moment?"

Many health care organizations use Behavioral Interviewing methods now. This means you will be asked questions that are deliberately designed to obtain information about your past job performance. It will be a question like "Can you tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult ethical decision?" You will need to provide specifics - they will not accept general statements like "I always try to listen to what the patient wants". If you are unsure about what they are asking, just say "Can you clarify the question?" or "I don't understand the question"

If you're nervous in an interview - OWN it! Just say "I am so nervous right now" This will usually elicit some type of 'caring' behavior from the average nurse interviewer... letting you take a minute to compose yourself, offering a glass of water, etc. Be authentic. Don't try too exaggerate your qualifications. Make sure they know how much you want the job, and how much effort you will exert to be successful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was asked to draw an EKG for a type of arrythmia other than V-fiv, V-tach, A-fib...

Frankly, that was mostly what covered in nursing school, didn't really go much in depth...I am a new grad, so I am not familiar with EKGs..I don't know why my brain could not think of something like sinus tachy, or sinus brady...it is something different than what they asked and I know those ones...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They asked you to draw an EKG strip? WOW!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
They asked you to draw an EKG strip? WOW!

Is it uncommon?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just yesterday! She asked me something related to change in CPR of how many compression you do initially. I got it wrong because I misunderstood what she was asking. Also, she asked a question that she had on her NCLEX YEARS ago about a patient with renal and cardiac diseases and HTN who jogs 3 times/week, lifts 2 lb weights daily, or does yoga. Which one would you tell the pt. not to do any why. The answer was yoga because it increases pulmonary HTN. I had NO CLUE and I was honest about it.

I ended up getting the offer today :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations!!! Yes, honesty is the way to go!

I did not get the job :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! Do not give up! It will come soon!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion