OR interview, what should I know?

[nurseinlimbo]

I attended an OR course in 2006 and decided not to stay in their OR dept. due to the toxicity of their environment and problems with a manager.

Recently there have been some changes in our situation, leaving me open to explore opportunities in other cities, and I have rec'd two job interviews in OR. One of them sounds like it will definitely be right up my alley, it is in a smaller rural hospital but will include obstetrics, hernia repairs, lap choles, and maybe some dental surgeries, as well as exposure to endoscopy.

I left the OR with mixed feelings about my comfort level as it depended so much on who I was working with how my day went. Some were so overly critically that it left me with absolutely no confidence, and others were great, supportive and let me learn. So I am a bit ambivalent about "going there" again even though it's a totally different place. It sounds like an awesome opportunity to work in an area that I always said was where I wanted to be.

My question is: for the interviews, what questions should I be prepared for? I have forgotten alot in 2 years since I did not get to use the training, but the theory is still there somewhere, so should I focus on scrub role/ circulating role type questions, or procedures? What types of questions are commonly asked....?

[greenergrass, BSN, RN]

As a prior Surgical Services Manager, here are some of the things I would ask:

1. Do you consider yourself detail oriented or more of a concept person?
   
2. What are the most important things to verify when checking in a surgical patient?
   
3. Are you available & willing to take call?
   
4. Are you able to respond to calls within 30 minutes?
   
5. Do you consider yourself more flexible or structured as a nurse?
   
6. What would you consider your greatest challenge as a nurse?
   
7. What would you consider your greatest strength as a nurse?
   
8. How would your last (or current) boss describe you?
   
9. How would your last (or current) team mates describe you?
   
10. Describe the most challenging situation you've come across as a nurse.
    
11. Describe the most rewarding situation you've come across as a nurse.
    
12. Are there any questions you have for me?

Best of luck in your interview & your new role as an OR nurse!! I hope you enjoy the environment!