Interview Questions

[SpunkyStarGazer]

Hello all! I have an interview this coming week. All I know is that it is for a full time position in a surgery unit at my local hospital. The interview is with the nurse manager. I would like to know what kind of questions should I expect. I have worked at a nursing home/rehab care center since I graduated in 2015 and I have no idea what to expect. I'm doing this because I am ready for a change and I want to grow in my nursing career. Hope someone can help me with some ideas. I really appreciate it!

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

Google "sample nursing interview questions" and you will find a lot of data out there. Don't worry about preparing too much, I've found all my prep work tends to disappear once the interview starts. I've always found that it's always a good idea to know the mission statement of the facility and have a general idea of the patient cohort of the unit you are interviewing for. Other than that I tend to over think things.

[SpunkyStarGazer]

Thank you so much CharleeFoxtrot! I just cant find anything specific to a surgery unit. Sometimes in the interviews, nurse managers throw some cases to see what you come up with and those make me nervous. I overthink things too, so stressful. Thank you for sharing your insight!

[AceOfHearts<3]

I haven't been asked many situational questions in interviews. Surgery unit is pretty vague and if they ask any situational questions they will really depend on the types of surgery patients they see on the unit.

Blood pressure post-op is big. Hemoglobin, platelets, etc. are important. Know signs of internal bleeding, especially with abdominal surgeries.

Preventing surgical site infections is huge. Maybe ask what steps they take to prevent them.

Neurovascular checks are huge when anything is done to an extremity- pulse, capillary refill, temperature, sensation, etc.

Malignant hyperthermia could be talked about. It can occur hours later so a patient that appears stable could be out of pacu before symptoms start. A very high fever is actually a late sign. Muscle rigidity, especially in the jaw/neck, is an earlier sign. They also become acidotic and if they are on a PCA drip their CO2 reading will be high. I was told it can be so high you think it's wrong. The treatment for malignant hyperthermia is dantrolene- lots and lots of dantrolene. We also get chilled fluids from pharmacy in my facility and we have a specific protocol to follow.

Those are some of the big things that come to mind right now. Good luck!

[AutumnApple]

*In my experience* the questions you ask are as important as the ones you answer.

[SpunkyStarGazer]

This will help me a ton! Thank you so much!!

[SpunkyStarGazer]

I completely agree with you! I have a list ready. Thank you!!

[SpunkyStarGazer]

I want to say THANK YOU! Your recommendations helped me a ton. I was offered the job! I will be trained to work as a circulating nurse! This is going to change my nursing career path in a great way!

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

Great to hear it worked out for you!