Need Feedback on Bizarre Interview..

[jade381]

I really need feedback on this one!! After sending my resume and cover letter to an area psych hospital, I was called for an interview. I thought it went well, but was recently told that "The job you applied for has been filled, but we will keep your resume in our files". (blah, blah, blah) I am a new grad and this was the first interview I had for a nursing position. My background is 12 years in psych as a psych aide at the same facility. This is the field I am interested in. Anyway, I wore a recently purchased suit that I bought for interviews. (So that can't be it) The interview was pretty standard (Why do you think you should work here, Why are you interested in psch, etc, etc.), THEN the interviewer said that she was going to give me some scenarios. She proceeded to ask what would I do in the following situation- This may seem a little off the beaten path, but she said- "What would you do if you were on a one-to-one with a patient , who had inserted several plastic knives into her lady parts?" First, I thought that I was hearing things, but kept my cool and drew from the past years of my psych experience. At first I said that if the patient was on a one-to-one, I would have been within an arms length at all times, but she said what would I do if it happened anyway..(?) I think I said that I would first check to see if there was any injury and call for the appropriate help, remain calm when speaking to the patient...Another scenario was what would I do if I walked into a patient's room who was out of control and pounding on the wall..My response was that I would assume a non-threatening stance (having my hands in view at all times ,so as not to appear threatening), speak calmly while setting boundaries for the out of control patient and calling for assistance as necessary. Then she said,"Would you medicate her?" I responded I would first make sure that there was a doctor's order. I NEED A REALITY CHECK and some feedback from experienced RNs..I mean was I totally off base or did I sound like an idiot ?... She proceeded to tell me when they were having an orientation and that I would be better off with a 7-3 schedule as opposed to a 3-11 shift, as I would learn more on the previous shift. I gave her my references (whom I spoken with before the interview) Then, as we walked out she asked me if I had any questions. Can someone please give me some feedback.... I would appreciate it, as I am somewhat paranoid for future interviews... HELP!!!

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Sounds like they might be offereing you a 7-3 shift before too long.

I don't work psyche but your answers don't seem too bad. Sounds like the interviewer needs a psyche eval.

[jade381]

The HR person told me that they had hired someone else (even though they need staff nurses on various units- as is stated in their ad) and the final remark was that they would keep me on file. ...Yey, right.."the check is in the mail".

[caliotter3]

Whoever they hired looked like a better candidate for some reason. Perhaps they heard something not so glowing about you. That is usually the case when someone from inhouse does not get hired. Now you have to see how you feel about staying there, knowing that you may not have much of a future. I couldn't really see anything wrong about how you said you answered the questions.

[jade381]

I am not an employee of this facility, which just adds to the mystery of their actions. Let me clarify- When I said that I worked at the same place for 12 years, I didn't mean the place for which I was Interviewing, but rather I worked at the same community mental health center at another location.

[RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN]

Weird question--not to say that weird stuff like that doesn't happen! LOL--and we had a girl --while on one to one--go in the bathroom and the one on one she had was not one of ours and not too bright she told the pt she didn't want to see her going to the bathroom so the door got closed-- and the pt had on a head set-- a wireless one that we had allowed her to have and while not being watched in the bathroom, she took out and swallowed the two AA batteries!!! That was the second time she had done this swallowing act so we know she would swallow anything! Even ended up getting one of the sets surgically removed--she picked so bad at the site after that it ended up with wound VAC on it!!!! Crazy stuff!!

But it's possible that they had a nurse with psych nursing experience. I would just keep up the efforts and maybe call and see if you can speak to the nurse who interviewed you and tell her understand that someone else was hired but as a new grad you would just like some feedback as to anything you could have improved on in the interview, etc. You may be surprised to hear maybe she can be of help to you. It's worth a shot. Maybe it will help for nect time!

Good luck.

[jade381]

Thanks for your reply!! You must be psychic....I did call her and left a message on her voice mail and basically said that I thought the interview went well and would she please call me back to get some feedback on the interview for future reference.

[missjennmb]

My first thought is to check your background information. Have someone call your references and make sure their response is glowing. Do a background check on yourself and see if anything comes across that is "off" in any way at all. Did they check your credit? They can as far as I know, but you need to sign saying its alright.

If you get to the point where they are taking your references and talking shifts, the most likely reason you did not get hired is that something came back fishy enough for them to pick another candidate, especially if they have multiple positions open and you did not get one, (and there are some still listed for the same type of position that you applied for)

It could just be bad luck, but I would definitely check myself out if it were me, just to be 100% sure.

[jade381]

As far as I know there is nothing fishy in my background....I have received child abuse clearance, no criminal record...even have been fingerprinted for clinicals, The only outstanding balance on my credit would be the money I owe for student loans...which aren't due at this time anyway....

[cpillow]

Take this interview with a grain of salt. I would say that probably they found a RN with more experience. Don't sweat it, just apply for a psyche position in another facility! One further thing, I recall letters of reference being particularly helpful for me when I was a new grad.

[jade381]

Thanks, I have actually applied to another psych facility today. Sometimes I just have to scratch my head and say "huh"? Thank you for all of your support!!