Interview question: Tell us about a mistake you have made...

I was in an interview the other day and was asked about a mistake I have made. I was kinda at a loss for words and sat there for a moment thinking of what I could say without taking too much time/silence to answer...and I thought about a time when I had made a wrong time medication error.

I told them about a pt who had a Lipitor ordered for 1800 and I gave it at 0800. I went on to say that my unit manager was notified, doctor was notified as well being given a one time order for that med, that the patient also ended up being fine, and how I had to fill out all of the proper paperwork for the incident.

I also went on to say what I learned from the experience and things that I put in place to ensure that it didn't happen again. But when I was driving home, I had that "why didn't I" moment and started thinking about other things I could have said that may have been a better response.

Was this wrong to admit during an interview?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[PchezRN]

I know! There are quite a few that I dread being asked, especially the behavioral ones. But, ultimately they are trying to find the "perfect candidate" so I anticipate as many different kinds of questions when I do go into an interview.

[AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP]

PchezRN said:

I was in an interview the other day and was asked about a mistake I have made.

Unless they were specific, I wouldn't admit to a job mistake

[FNKA]

Thank you all so much for your responses.

The response forwhy I left the picu that I got on here was really fantastic so I used it and worded it in a way that came across as really positive. She also asked why I didnt communicate better with my educator. To that, I said that my break from the unit has really given me some time to reflect back upon how I can improve in terms of advocating for myself and allow myself to speak up when I need more assistancce. I ended up having to tell her that I had 15-19 preceptors, although it was hard for my confidence, I learned a lot of different methods of nursing/knowledge from different nurses and how to handle different personality types.

However, the recruiter kept pressing for why I left without shifting departments and left the hospital. I ended up saying that I didnt find another department that I felt would be similar or like what I really wanted to do; but the department I interviewed for was very similar to the disease processes I really loved and thats why I want to be there. I also said that what I considered to be most important as a new nurse is learning, trusting oneself, and gaining the confidence to be independent and that I felt like this hospital does a better job for that (from website).

The recruiter agreed that my previous hospital has a reputation for treating new nurses badly. She emphasized that they are not like that hospital and do not agree with their treatment of new grads/new nurses. She also said that the type of orientation and care that I'd get there would not be similar to my past hospital and said I'd be better suited for them.

In all, I don't think I could have answered those tough questions any better than I did. Even if I don't get this job, I think I did my best. Crossing my fingers for good luck.

[LPN Retired, LPN]

mmm cdiff said:

Sorry, I don't have any advice for you, but I'd also like to ask if anyone knows WHAT an employer is looking for, exactly, when this question is asked. Especially when interviewing new grads who may not have had any opportunity to make a mistake yet. ?

That's what I was kind of thinking. Why are they asking that question. to see if you admit to one or not? They would probably,think

You're lying if you say you,haven't made a mistake.

So I wonder what their reason is for asking that.

[TX_Sarah_MSN_RN]

It's not the mistake but how did you move forward from preventing the mistake from happening again. For me I gave the wrong vaccine to a child and the one I did give was too early and would not count towards their vaccine record and would have to be repeated. It was a careless mistake of not verifying the dates that it wasn't too early. I owned up to the mistake, explained to the parents of my error, and created a system to help others from making the same error and prevent needless sticks to children.

It simple: Mistake; ownership; plan; implementation of the plan and then a review that plan is effective. Be sure to reinforce your desire to learn from your mistakes help others prevent from making them!