Interview for Med-Surg, did I blow it?? (long)

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hello everyone! I'm a new LVN and was interviewed for the med-surg floor. The nurse manager was really nice and we laughed and had a great time HOWEVER, she asked me a question about if I gave a patient pain med, when would I come back to check him again? LIKE AN IDIOT I said within 30 min!!! I was thinking, well if it's an IM shot like demerol, it would kick in about 20 min, not thinking PO meds. I know I should have said 1 hour :o

Then she asked if the patient was still in pain 2 hours later (with no standing orders) then what would I do? So I said I would tell the RN so she could maybe phone an order and if she ignores me, I'd tell the supervisor. Was I totally wrong with that?

One more thing, she asked when I was in nursing school, did I ever handle emergency situations or had to act very quickly to a dire situation, and I said NO! It was the truth, i didn't want to make up something! I mean I acted quickly during situations, but I was never in an emergency situation!

I BLEW it didnt I.

Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

To the first question, I would have asked what route was the pain med given? IM, IVP, PO? So yes 30 min would be a little early for PO, but the other routes it would be ok.

For the second question, things might be different in CA, but in my state the LPN can call the MD for orders. I would also try other nursing interventions and do a pain assessment and v/s again.

Managers know new grads don't have real experience yet. Interviews are nerve racking and they are especially hard if you don't have experience yet and you aren't used to the interview process. Don't count yourself out yet, I don't think you blew it.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I was always told in nursing school that before I had to do something with a patient in pain, I should administer pain meds first, and return in 1/2 hour to check how they are doing.

I don't think you blew it; I believe that the interviewer already knows that you are a new grad and have no experience, I mean come on...what emergency would you have encountered and dealt with yourself in clinicals? I live in New York, and yes, I am able to call the physician for orders as well. I don't think that you answer is wrong, though, because we work under the auspice of an RN, and she has to know each and every thing about the patients you are caring for because she has to assess them. Maybe what I would have said is that I would tell the RN, call the physician, obtain an order and then implement. Good luck!

If you are going by the books, I would guess the best answer would have been non-pharmacological methods of dealing with pain, like positioning, backrubs, etc.

But I'd definitely check on the pt within 30 minutes, too, so I would have been wrong on that question also!

And as others said, there are few students who encounter an emergency in clinicals and if they do, authorized personnel would hopefully be there to push the student out of the way and get to the patient!

Which reminds me of a story that always makes me laugh. I was in a ob/gyn clinical with other students in my class, and two students wheeled a discharge out. Anyway, on their way back to the floor, they saw a patient ambulating in the hallway and in front of them, the patient fell. The two nurses students said to each other "someone needs to help that man," and kept on walking.

Of course, someone did help him and he was ok. But I told the students that they had forgotten that they were supposed to help the man! But it does take some time to realize that you are a caregiver, and not just a bystander.

I was taught to give meds and then check back in 30 min. for PO meds. So you told the interviewer correct as far as I know. I think you were correct in telling her no to the emergency situation. You would have looked stupid if you told her yes and then sat there and tried to make up a story. The interviewer my have seen right through it. Don't count yourself out yet!

You interviewed for Med/Surg, right? Now let me see, I'm assuming you have a license and a pulse.......I wouldn't worry too much if I were you :wink2:

Oh, and I'm a Med/Surg nurse, so no flames from other Med/Surg nurses please :chair:

THanks for the support! I got the job and start next monday!! Excited and scared. Wish me luck!

Thanks again! =)

Specializes in Hospice.

Way to go! Congratulations!!!! :w00t:

Congrats!! Good luck, you always have us here for support!!

Specializes in LTC, office.

Congratulations!! :balloons:

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