Interview Question that has me stumped

[CairnsICU]

I was asked an interview question that my new manager wants me to elaborate about before I start as an ICU RN.

qstn: "You have a newly graduated RN who comes to you with a problem about the best practice guidelines for diabetes management, what do you do?"

i answered- I would refresh myself as to what the current best practice guidelines, policies and procedures are.

i would also ask the nurse why she thinks the best practice guidelines were wrong and to ask for her rationale. I would then approach a senior nurse, the diabetes department, doctors and diabetes educator as to their opinion on the students statement about the best practice guidelines. I would also research some current research articles, endocrine specialists.

I was then asked "what if the new nurse was right?" I then replied that I would then approach the research department and the board of research to see if a new study could be commenced to check the merit of the students opinion.

The he interviewer is not impressed at my current answer and I am perplexed, anybody have any ideas as to how I should answer this correctly?

Thanks!!

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'm not sure I even understand the question correctly ...is the new RN challenging the way you currently care for patients or presenting a problem for you to help solve? If it's that she's challenging current practice, I would indicate that I was open to hearing what she had to say and open to considering that her information may be useful in keeping my own practice the most current. Your response sounds very defensive and hostile to me, although I'm almost positive that you're meaning to be careful, instead.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

I agree, I am not sure what the question is really asking. I think you answered it just fine. And I hate those types of questions. :)

[Amistad, RN]

I would think as a new grad yourself your manager would want you to follow your hospitals policy and best practice guidelines. Very strange question.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I am terrible at these sorts of things, but my two cents based on my read:

In the scenario you didn't answer the new nurse's immediate question but became a middleman instead.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

Hmm. Weird question. Are they perhaps looking for you to validate the inquiry more, as in saying "you know, that's an interesting thought, tell me more?" And then facilitating the new grad to take the initiative to follow up....point them in the right direction, rather than making yourself the facilitator? Or, perhaps is that particular practice guideline not 100% suitable for that particular patient? Since this seems to be a behavioral/leadership question, I would maybe think of it in those terms. How are you going to encourage the new grad to develop his/her practice and learning?

Hope that helps a little!

[Dogen]

I would think as a new grad yourself your manager would want you to follow your hospitals policy and best practice guidelines. Very strange question.

This was my first interpretation - that they were looking to see if you would deviate from the guidelines or instruct the new nurse to do it if the new nurse identified a problem with them. Because following accepted best practice is one way hospitals avoid liability. But the other answers are also good.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I would direct the nurse to our hospital's P&P.

[canigraduate]

First thing is to find out what the problem IS. You need some clarification.

I don't do vague questions.

[DrKim]

The manager was not impressed because what you indirectly conveyed was "indecisiveness." It's more likely that the manager was trying to assess: do you know what current best practices are for diabetes management (elevated blood glucose is common in ICU patients due to the presence of infection) and do you know where to look for the best answer quickly (hospital intranet for EBP websites and hospital specific practice policies). ICUs are well known for giving nurses a lot of free reign when it comes to practicing and being a strong nurse capable of making quick decisions is a must. You essentially said too much and nothing at all, simultaneously.

[amzyRN]

I don't understand the question either. I think I would have asked for clarification and paraphrased and answered the question as I understood it. I think your answer was probably fine. There's nothing wrong with asking for clarification.

[bloatedputti, MSN, RN]

Don't beat yourself up. You did fine. Nobody knows it all. Best practice standards are not all universally used. You would follow your facility policies. Interviewers ask the dumbest questions. "What are your weaknesses? Do you like people?" Come on. All that does is make the candidate feel like a fool, and not act themselves.