OR interviewing scenario questions

LauRN · Oct 18, 2010

one thing i remember from my interview was being asked about a time when i was an advocate for my patient. they also asked about how i handle stressful situations as well as conflicts or difficult personalities with co-workers. hope this helps & good luck! :)

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2010

I hope I am not too late in my reply. You should be prepared to answer what you would do in an emergency situation. The OR has an emergency cart that is always (supposedly) stocked, and you would pull this around to the assigned room and start setting up with non-latex gloves and supplies (you don't know in an emergency is the pt is latex allergy or not). Then you would have the scrub load up a knife first, drape quickly and pour on the Betadine!

Be prepared to answer how you would react to a surgeon yelling at you. You would assess the situation, ask what the surgeon wants, and then CALL YOUR TEAM LEADER for help ASAP. That way you know that help is on the way for whatever is ruffling the feathers of the surgeon while you try to get what they want.

They will ask how you work with difficult people. This one is a toughie. There are many difficult personalities in the OR, and first you must recognize that, get to the root of the problem with the difficult person and above all, DO NOT take anything personally. You recognize that the OR breeds staff that must be in control, and while you will be assertive, you will first and foremost be a patient advocate. That is the MOST important thing that you do in the OR.

Good luck in your interview! Don't forget to take a copy of your resume.

longhornstudentnurse · Oct 23, 2010

Thank you for sharing advice with me! The interview is this coming Friday, Oct. 29th, and I'm reading up and preparing! :)

SuperSteff · Nov 18, 2010

How did your interview go?

shuubie · Jan 25, 2011

looks like this was an old posting but i'm interested in how your interview went as well... hope you're still around!

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2011

I was asked how I would deal with a conflict between a co-worker or a doc.

what to do if I saw the sterile field was broken, what I would do if I saw something was contanimated. Several pt. safety questions.

I have a limited knowledge base of OR, but I know that a TIME OUT is required and being a detailed oriented person is critical.

banjiadewusi · Aug 28, 2016

I hope I am not too late in my reply. You should be prepared to answer what you would do in an emergency situation. The OR has an emergency cart that is always (supposedly) stocked, and you would pull this around to the assigned room and start setting up with non-latex gloves and supplies (you don't know in an emergency is the pt is latex allergy or not). Then you would have the scrub load up a knife first, drape quickly and pour on the Betadine!
Be prepared to answer how you would react to a surgeon yelling at you. You would assess the situation, ask what the surgeon wants, and then CALL YOUR TEAM LEADER for help ASAP. That way you know that help is on the way for whatever is ruffling the feathers of the surgeon while you try to get what they want.
They will ask how you work with difficult people. This one is a toughie. There are many difficult personalities in the OR, and first you must recognize that, get to the root of the problem with the difficult person and above all, DO NOT take anything personally. You recognize that the OR breeds staff that must be in control, and while you will be assertive, you will first and foremost be a patient advocate. That is the MOST important thing that you do in the OR.
Good luck in your interview! Don't forget to take a copy of your resume.

Nice one