Help with Oral Interview/Exam at a Dept. of Mental health - Coalinga, Ca

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2008

Welcome to the Introductions forum.

Since you're asking a question specific to CA, I'll move your question there to see if anyone answers you. Best of luck to you!

timgirl2121 · Nov 19, 2008

Hi I work there as a lvn I dont know what they ask the RN's because I go through the registry, but I can ask some of my rn friends that work there.

Pinoise2 · Nov 20, 2008

Hi I work there as a lvn I dont know what they ask the RN's because I go through the registry, but I can ask some of my rn friends that work there.

That's real nice of you! Thank you!!! My oral interview will be this coming Monday...so hopefully, you are able to help...thank you in advance!!:bowingpur:yeah:

kngsunny · Dec 17, 2008

Hello everyone,
I'm a new grad RN and recently licensed...I'm stressing out on how to prepare for an Oral Interview/exam for a Registered Nurse - Safety position at Coalinga State Hospital in California. I've emailed the director of Nursing there, she just said they will be case scenarios! I graduated in May this year, and would love to start a new RN career. Please Help! Thank You!

well gud luck ,

i have same question that i have my interview at NAPA state mental hospital in january , i am LVN if you had your interview done would you pls

tell the oral interview question what they asking for , and the gud material for study..

Snowman22 · Apr 13, 2009

Hello Pinoise2,

I was searching this forum for the exact same question you were asking back in November. I have an interview for the same position at the same hospital and I too am a recently licensed new grad RN. How did the interview go? Are you able to bestow and knowledge upon me related to the hospital and the hiring/interview process? Any help or advice would be much appreciated. I am trying to prepare but have no clue what to expect.Thanks.

Pinoise2 · Apr 19, 2009

Snowman,

Thanks for asking...I started working at CSH April 6 and they are hiring a lot more RN's including new grad RN's. Unfortunately, due to the process at any State Hospital...the oral interview questions are identical questions and you are actually scored and ranked on an eligibility list. I am no in liberty to disclose any question whatsoever coz I will be in direct violation of the terms and conditions that I signed for when I took the interview.

I can however advise you to know the type of population you will be dealing with, and of course co-morbidities and drugs to be administered in such a facility. Without giving away too much know your drugs, S/S to watch out for, and the nursing process. As RN's, not all our patients can truly convey info we need to treat their ailments...however, we were all "grilled" in nursing school with critical thinking and questioning to derive the info you need to provide safe, effective and compassionate care. Keep in mind, the oral interview will consist of a panel of rn's, they were new RNs like"you and I at one time...so with that said...BE POSITIVE, AND CONFIDENT AND ASK ASK ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU ANSWER!

gOOD LUCK TO YOU....we need more quality RN's.

All the best,

Pinoise2

candicetadeo · Mar 8, 2010

Hi, I have an oral examination coming up can somebody give me tips about the questions they ask? What should I do to get ready for the interview? I'm just so nervous, this would be my first interview since I got my license. I'm a New Grad.

Thank you in advance :)

petitenurse · May 30, 2011

I also have an oral interview with Coalinga State hospital..I am hoping that someone might give me the "heads up" on what to expect for this interview. And I was also wondering if prisons ask different questions or use the same ones in California..Please and Thankyou..

lulu67, LPN, LVN · Jun 19, 2011

I also have an oral interview with Coalinga State hospital..I am hoping that someone might give me the "heads up" on what to expect for this interview. And I was also wondering if prisons ask different questions or use the same ones in California..Please and Thankyou..

Hi petitenurse,

I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more? I am so confused -and maybe it is because I've been up working late...anyway, if you could help I would be very grateful..

I am attempting to apply for a job as an LVN with the state as well. I went to the website and somehow found a way to take a test for LVN (safety) prison job..it was not easy to figure out how to take the exam as the site is not very user friendly. Anyhow, I ended up applying for a prison job position and scored a 95% on the exam. Now my other option was to apply for Metropolitan State Mental Hospital and they are stating that their exam is: "To consist of a Qualifications Appraisal Panel interview only, weighted 100%. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum rating of 70% must be attained. Candidates who do not appear for the interview will be disqualified."

I realize you can not speak about any of the questions you were asked, however, I do wonder if you could share with me a few things concerning the application process?

First) Did you just mail in your paper copy of your standard application from the website with a copy of your resume signed and dated in order to get the appointment for this interview? How long did that take?

And Secondly)Am I supposed to send in a copy of the exam I took for the prison (safety) position as well? They are both safety positions...or are they completely separate types of classifications and exams?

Thank you for your help...

Dazed and Confused :uhoh3:

lulu67, LPN, LVN · Jun 25, 2011

Never mind..I figured it all out...

I have so many interviews coming up..I'm so excited!

registerednobody · Oct 19, 2011

Hello, those of you who have taken the oral exam, how did you guys feel after the interview? Did any of you end up getting a job offer and what was the time frame and process like after the initial interview? Thanks