new grad bad interview

[rn_yogi]

Has anyone been asked clinical questions in an interview they couldn't answer? how did you overcome this? could you overcome this?

it's the new grad dilemma. you can't find work and get experience and the longer you are out of school the further removed you are from nursing and all of the knowledge you acquired. I have to work in a non-nursing/healthcare field right now just to pay my bills. I'm not in an environment that's keeping me fresh and updated so I'm forgetting so much. How can I overcome this? I feel like an idiot going into interviews (I've only had 3) where I can't answer clinical questions.

[DutchRN09]

What kind of clinical questions? I guess keep the ABC's in mind

[Cupcake2]

Yea and patient safety

[kayak133]

What kind of questions did the interviewer ask by the way?

[stephie_love]

Personally, I think they try to throw you off base with questions. If you have the perfect answer for everything, then why are you in nursing and not sitting on a pedestal somewhere? :)

It's okay on occasion not to have an answer. Shows that you are human...I bet you did a lot better than you think! Good luck with everything :)

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

Here's a clinical question I was asked in my new grad interview:

You are at the nurse's station and these 4 things are happening:

1. The phone is ringing

2. You have a new admit from the ED coming.

3. You have a patient who has a STAT order for a neb.

4. There is a doctor who wants to talk to you and he doesn't look happy.

What do you do?

What they are really looking for isn't that you give the *right* answer, they are trying to see HOW you answer and what your thoughts are behind your actions.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Here's a clinical question I was asked in my new grad interview:

You are at the nurse's station and these 4 things are happening:

1. The phone is ringing

2. You have a new admit from the ED coming.

3. You have a patient who has a STAT order for a neb.

4. There is a doctor who wants to talk to you and he doesn't look happy.

Ha ha. I'd probably fail this:

I'd get the neb done, my patient's ability to breathe takes priority. I'd ask the doc, "whats-up?". If I can I'd say "OK, I'll take care of it, in response to what-EVER" . If he's just being a PITA, I'd say, "I'm receiving an ED patient right now, lets talk once I get him settled, where can I reach you." The phone can ring.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

Here's a clinical question I was asked in my new grad interview:

You are at the nurse's station and these 4 things are happening:

1. The phone is ringing

2. You have a new admit from the ED coming.

3. You have a patient who has a STAT order for a neb.

4. There is a doctor who wants to talk to you and he doesn't look happy.

Ha ha. I'd probably fail this:

I'd get the neb done, my patient's ability to breathe takes priority. I'd ask the doc, "whats-up?". If I can I'd say "OK, I'll take care of it, in response to what-EVER" . If he's just being a PITA, I'd say, "I'm receiving an ED patient right now, lets talk once I get him settled, where can I reach you." The phone can ring.

that's almost what i was thinking, but i'd glance around to se eif anyone else can answer the call. if not, i'll answer while i'm checking the neb order.

[LobotRN, BSN, RN]

Hey rn_yogi! Now, realize you are indeed a new grad! One of the reasons for asking these clinical scenario questions is also to assess whether or not you know the limits of your own knowledge and have the nuts (or ovaries, as the case may be) to go and get help! I was asked pathophysiology clinical scenarios (e.g. pt 2 hrs after am assessment w/ "X" condition on admit, they are now complaining of "X," what do you do?) as well as prioritization (I agree w/ the statement of ABCs). Just keep in the back of your mind, "Perhaps as a new RN I also need to consider when to get help with my pt. load so that all my pts are safe and cared for."

[Simply Complicated]

With the 4 things this wouldn't work, but depending on the question you can always say while I'm not quite sure the answer to that as I do not have any experience, I would go to X reference to look. Be that the policy and procedure manual, your hospitals access for a drug guide, whatever is appropriate.

Sometimes they are looking to see if you are know it all, or will admit when you need some help.

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

When I am interviewing I ask some tough questions. I want to know that you can admit your shortcomings, prioritize, work as a team player, and figure out how to get extra help. You do not have to answer perfectly. Also, take your time answering. I know it will take you a few minutes to come up with the answer.

[seizetheday]

I too do interviewing and I agree I am not looking for a perfect answer. Especially from a new grad I don't expect the answer that I would from a nurse with years of experience. What I am looking for is critical thinking. How do you approach answering the questions, what other information would you be wanting to get, what are three ways you might approach the situation, what are the dilemmas etc... I am far more mostly interested in your thinking process, the content of your answer needs to make sense but it is not as important.