How to answer this interview question....

[alby_dangle]

Hello all,

I have an interview coming up for a position in a memory care unit, part time.

How do I answer the question: "Why do you want to work with memory care/dementia patients? What qualities do you feel like you can bring to the unit?"

Also, with dementia patients, as is typical, if they are talking wildly about some story they feel really happened, or are showing erratic behavior...which are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to ask them more questions to get details into the story, redirect them, or correct their behavior? I have always thought it best to redirect them, but I hear different answers to this question all the time.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

[systoly]

"I don't remember"

[guest430699]

You can throw out the "Validation Therapy" answer in your interview, and maybe it will get you some points!

This is out of my text Essentials of Mental Health Nursing by Mary Townsend:

" The key is to 'agree' with what they want, but by conversation and 'steering,' get them to do something else without them realizing they are actually being redirected. This is both validation and redirection therapy."

Example:

Mrs. W (agitated): "That old lady stole my watch! I know she did. She goes into people's rooms and takes our things. We call her 'sticky fingers!'"

Nurse: "That watch is very important to you. Have you looked around the room for it?"

Mrs. W: "My husband gave it to me. He will be so upset that it is gone. I am afraid to tell him."

Nurse: "I'm sure you miss your husband very much. Tell me what it was like wen you were together. What kinds of things did you do for fun?"

Mrs. W: "We did a lot of traveling. To Italy, and England, and France. We ate wonderful food."

Now of course Mrs. W is a textbook patient, and we know real patients aren't redirected this easily. I hope this helps you! I needed a refresher too.

[alby_dangle]

Thank you so much! That's great advice, and thanks for looking that up! I will use that :)

[LouisVRN, RN]

Whatever you do and as tempting as it sometimes is, you are not supposed to ask them more questions as that tends to lead them further into their "delusions". That being said sometimes its necessary in the case of abuse allegations, ie pt states "That man came in here and raped me." Probably best not to start talking about if pt would rather knit or play bingo in case pt is having a moment of lucidity. Correcting their behavior will be near impossible and will likely make you an "enemy". It is important to understand that in that moment this is the patients reality and the patient is likely to think you are as delusional as they are if you attempt to suddenly imply that their perception is not applicable to the rest of the world. Sometimes it is not impossible to completely re-direct a patient, especially if they are adamant about something, and then it is most important to ensure that they are safe, that others are safe and try to de-escalate the situation to a more manageable level.

For example in the situation the previous poster supplied, it sometimes would not be possible to get Mrs. W. to move past the missing watch. In which case you might suggest she look around her room for it and tell her you'll talk to the other resident and stop back by a bit later to see if its turned up. Likely once she gets started looking around her room she'll get distracted by something else and the watch will be a thing of the past by the time you make it back. The fact is some residents do take other resident's belongings so its important not to completely blow her off.

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree with the other posters on steering, but in the inteview you must sell--YOU. Tell them you're an optimist, tell them you're upbeat and most people enjoy your company. Tell them you're a good listener. Highlight your goodpoints as they relate to the clients. If someone in your family led to your choosing this path, paint the story but keep it brief. I'd be looking for a pleasant and upbeat personality if I were interviewing and for someone that enjoys working with the elderly. I'd say the best virture to highlight would be patience and dependability.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Example:

Mrs. W (agitated): "That old lady stole my watch! I know she did. She goes into people's rooms and takes our things. We call her 'sticky fingers!'"

Nurse: "That watch is very important to you. Have you looked around the room for it?"

Mrs. W: "My husband gave it to me. He will be so upset that it is gone. I am afraid to tell him."

Nurse: "I'm sure you miss your husband very much. Tell me what it was like wen you were together. What kinds of things did you do for fun?"

Mrs. W: "We did a lot of traveling. To Italy, and England, and France. We ate wonderful food."

Now of course Mrs. W is a textbook patient, and we know real patients aren't redirected this easily. I hope this helps you! I needed a refresher too.

Then, once Mrs. W is calm and distracted, please go check that Ms. S down the hall (who also has dementia and likes to tidy up the rooms) really didn't wander in and take the watch. :) See it happen more times than one.

[alby_dangle]

Thank you all for your help. I got the job!

I really think this website helps people interview well, as I've had good advice from here before. Great suggestions, again thanks :)

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Congratulations!

[kenyacka]

I disagree with the pp that stated not to ask questions. I'm only a CNA, but asking questions is what we are trained to do. ALWAYS ask questions. It's the only way to find out what's really going on. I also have to agree... be sure to swing by and check Ms S to see if she has the watch lol. We have a particular resident who is a wanderer and constantly picks things up. She got ahold of a student's clinical notebook (full of signed off check-offs, signed off time cards, etc) and tore it to pieces and stuck papers in all sorts of places lol. Ya never know!

[whereisrebecca]

Congratulations!

I am curious what else they asked you as I am applying for an RN position at a memory-care assisted living facility. I have never interviewed for a nursing position ( I am a new grad) so I am only prepared for the "typical/general" interview question. Also, just out of curiosity what state are you in......it's hard to get a job here in California!

Congratulations again! Celebrate your success!

Rebecca

[Jenni811, RN]

Throw something really cheesy in there, but not too cheesy where it looks like you are trying too hard.

For example, my manager LOVED it when i wrote in my essay on dementia care "They may not remember who you are, but they will always remember how you made them feel."

Something like that....