Interview at the local Psychiatric Hospital

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

hello all,

i"m a career changing 42 male lpn. just got an interview at my local

psychiatric hospital.

any tips and tricks on what to expect? while this is my second nursing interview it's certainly not my first career interview.

thanks

red

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

You are likely to be asked about general classes of psychiatric medications. Generally speaking, antidepressants show no effects for 7-10 days and don't reach full therapeutic levels for 4-6 weeks. You may also be asked about extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), which occur with certain mental health medications (chiefly antipsychotics). This is manifested in shuffling gait, feelings of restlessness, involuntary movement of facial muscles, etc.

Situation questions are always popular, particularly ones about escalating patients. The most important things are to keep a calm demeanor, speak softly and slowly, and remove yourself from the situation if you see that you are not being effective (rank has no meaning in these situations - a CNA who has a rapport with the patient may be more effective at deescalating the situation than a licensed nurse).

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Read up on psych meds, basic psych conditions, therapeutic communication, and handling patients in crisis, who are agitated and who are suicidal.

Also, if they throw a "what-if" scenario at you, remember that patient safety is always the #1 priority.

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

Got it I think, contingent on reference checks and background checks.

We talk more about personalities and interactions with the various types of.

A very natural feeling interview.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Congrats! It's a challenging field of nursing. Be ready for all kinds of abuse...and not just from patients but from coworkers, management too. I wish that weren't the case but it is in our hospital. The economy is bad so you have to put up with it unfortunately. We have great benefits though and the pay is excellent so through the bruises and broken bones at least one can pay his/her bills!!

Be as positive as you can. Follow all policies and procedures to the "t". Best of luck!

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

Got the job; been through the orientation process.

Yippee!

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