okay to say "I don't know" in an interview?

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Specializes in PICU.

lets face it, nobody knows everything....just wanted to hear people's thoughts on saying "I don't know" or "I'm not sure" in response to those tough clinical questions during interviews?

How would you say it tactfully so that you don't look like a complete moron?

Has this happened to you? What did you do?

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Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.

There should not be any 'tough clinical questions' in the interview....

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I've had several APN job interviews and when they have asked bizarre questions, I answer that I don't know so I would look up the answer in the policies and procedures, a well-known textbook (good to know the basic texts for CRNA) and/or ask a more experienced colleague.

Good luck!

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I have asked the same question to people who have actually had many of these interviews where the interviewer asks really tough questions and from what I have been told, they do that sometimes just to see how you handle it. They sometimes ask questions one would never know unless you have taken anesthesia courses and the best thing to say is "I don't know the answer to that question, but I will make sure to look that up or find out the answer while in your program."

The worst thing to do is try to make it up or guess! If you are going to make up answers in an interview to impress them, what would you be inclined to do in a clinical situation when dealing with a real patient? They don't expect you to know everything before you have taken an anesthesia class. Good luck!

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What do you mean by this? Are you being sarcastic? All I have heard is how badly they are going to drill you at interviews. I have three interviews next month and I have been sitting around memorizing pressor receptors, alveolar gas exchange equations, and how to calculate A-a gradients. Is this not expected?

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
What do you mean by this? Are you being sarcastic? All I have heard is how badly they are going to drill you at interviews. I have three interviews next month and I have been sitting around memorizing pressor receptors, alveolar gas exchange equations, and how to calculate A-a gradients. Is this not expected?

Depends on the program, some just as personal questions while others administer written test and oral tests. My interview was very in depth and asked things such as explain the a wave, v wave on the PA tracing, tell me everything you know about Primacor, and a lot of patient scenarios that required multiple interventions, etc. I was there for 4.5 hours total.

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Specializes in PICU.

no, im not trying to be sarcastic at all. I really just wanted to know people's thoughts on what to say if you really don't know an answer, thats all.

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yes that is expected, but the things you have listed is basic critical care knowledge; calculating A-a gradients and memorizing pressor receptors is something every solid critical care nurse should know already. Don't be surprised if they ask you a question and you have no idea what they are talking about.

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KidsICU, I think your question is a very valid one.

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kidsICU- my question about "are you being sarcastic" was not directed at you- it was directed at the person who said there should be no "tough" questions in the interview

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CVICU05-

it is not standard knowledge in my ICU Hahahaha- maybe receptors for pressors- but definately not the A-a gradient HAHAHHA

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Specializes in SICU.

Mine either.

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