I BLEW MY CHANCE !!

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I had a last minute interview today and everything was going well, untill the last question.

"Would I be be confident enought to handle 49 residents by myself". and my dumb response was; I am confident enough to handle 49 residents by myself but I would be more comfortable if I had another nurse working with me because that is a heavy work load and you run the risk of having a potential medication era and not being able to chart properly on all my residents. After my response she ended the interview. I messed up big time, i was thinking about the safey of the residents not me getting the job. She said i would hear from her, and she didnt shake my hand goodbye.

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she didn't shake your hand goodbye? that's a bit rude, did you try?

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For my last interview, I worried and worried over something NOT said for about a day. Finally, I emailed the interviewer an addendum to my interview. I got the job.

Moral of the story: If you really want the job, call or email to follow-up; that is appropriate. Then you can bring up the question and amend your answer/provide clarification.

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

You never know! If you really want to have a shot at getting the job and honestly feel you could handle 49 residents alone, then I would do as mariebailey suggested and follow up with an e-mail. I honestly believe that one thing that helped me land the job I have now, is that I sent an e-mail the next day to the Program Director thanking her for taking the time out of her day to interview me. It couldn't hurt :)

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Better for you to had been honest then than to say "i can handle it" and be making mistakes and get fired for it.

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LTCNS, I take it you work in LTCNS wat is your patient ratio

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
LTCNS, I take it you work in LTCNS wat is your patient ratio

I just recently started working in a clinic as of 3 months ago, but I did indeed work in LTC for more than 16 years. My average nurse/patient ratio was 30 on day/evening shift and 60 on night shift. My first job right out of school was on night shift in a LTC home with 60 residents. There were times when I had one CNA for those 60 patients but we made it work.

I very well may end up going back to LTC at some point, but I needed a break. To be honest, the only thing I like better about clinic work is the hours and benefits. My heart will always be with the elderly.

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Honestly how bad was my answer. I don't want to make that mistake twice. I never worked in LTC so 49 seemed above average to me

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Specializes in Home Care.

I think you gave the right answer. If they expect you to handle 49 patients then you don't want to work there.

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Honestly how bad was my answer. I don't want to make that mistake twice. I never worked in LTC so 49 seemed above average to me

I think that's what you can amend. Keep in mind I'm just speaking to the interview etiquette component; I'm not in LTC. You can clarify that you are unfamiliar with the typical ratios, but you are qualified and can excel as long staffing is adequate to meet the patients' needs. If this seems high, research the organization and the staffing ratios. Maybe you need to ask her some f/u questions about the organization. itsmejuli may be right.

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that's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" type of question. bleh!

I try to not answer those types of inquiries directly, cause honestly, you can't win.

my response would have been in a question form, to drive the conversation away from me. probably something to the effect -

"do pt: nurse ratios generally run that high"

"how does current staff manage"

"is there back-up"

"what is the pt acuity"

seek information. that's (almost always) legit.

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

OP you were honest with her and I applaud you for that. I remember my first interview being scared about the ratio being much higher. I was hired on as a night charge nurse for a RH of 105 patients. I remember being nervous but I accepted the challenge. I learned so much experience from it - it truly made me a better nurse. The best way to see if your able to is to accept the training from the facility. After training with a mentor you will know how much you can handle:)

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