Periop Interview Questions

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I will be front with you. Do 1 year of med-surg before you go I to any specialty area. This will allow you to learn the basics of nursing which you can fall back on when something new comes up. In the OR you will lose most basic nursing skills. I have not started a IV, taken a BP etc for 7 years. One skill you will get very proficient in is placing filets.

At your interview ask how long orientation will be and what areas. Once you are off orientation how many different services will you be expected to work in. How long before you start taking call and how often you taken call.

Amistad, RN · Feb 20, 2016

I have to disagree with jeckrn (although I worked on the floor before going into the OR). About half of the nurses I work with in the OR started there and loved it so never left. You don't necessarily have to have med surge experience to be successful there.

I would take a look at the Operating Room specialty section of allnurses as there are several articles on what OR nurses do.

I would ask the nurse manager about what your orientation will consist of, how long it will be. Will you be scrubbing and circulating or just circulating. How much call will you take. You could also ask her what made her interested in OR nursing or what is her favorite part of OR nursing.

Good luck!!

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 20, 2016

Agree with Amistad that med/surg experience is not required. I went straight into the OR as a new grad, and I'm still here. I doubt that there would be OR specific questions in an interview with an inexperienced nurse- there's a reason the orientation is 6-9 months long. I would be prepared to answer questions about teamwork, ability to function in a crisis situation, and things along that line.

qrkid · Feb 21, 2016

Thanks for the replies.

I can see both sides of some other experience first or not. In today's world as a new grad often times you do not get to choose a job and take what you can get. I am fortunate in that my top 2 picks are OR and cardiac (would like to get to the CVOR at some point) and I have an interview in the OR as a soon to be new grad. Hopefully I can impress them and get an offer.

DanielOR_RN · Feb 22, 2016

Hi qrkid,

I was always passionate about going into OR nursing, so I didn't want to waste time doing any med-surg or telemetry. I really think that they have absolutely nothing in common. Since I was so sure about my choice, I started looking for Periop 101 internship programs after getting my RN license. They say the OR is the most specialized area of nursing with the longest training time (6-9 months). From what I've read people don't feel comfortable until 1-2 years, so don't worry.

During my interview I was asked the following questions:

What do you do after a stressful day?

What would you do if a surgeon yelled at you?

Why are you the ideal candidate for this position?

Tell me about a time when you used good teamwork skills in a clinical setting.

Out of so many specialties why did you choose the OR?

Try to sell yourself. It is unlikely that they ask you OR specific questions since you are not experienced in the OR yet. I wish you the best of luck. I just got hired and I begin my Periop 101 training soon. My dream has come true and I hope yours will too!

Heads up, they are looking for people who work well in teams and who have strong personalities. Practice your interview skills, dress to impress, and be prepared (take your portfolio to the interview with all of your information - resume, transcripts with GPA, diploma, certifications (CPR, stroke, ACLS), cover letter, etc.)

qrkid · Feb 22, 2016

DanielOR_RN

Wow thank for that awesome reply. Congrats and best of luck in your periop program.

DanielOR_RN · Feb 22, 2016

You're welcome! I also forgot to add what I asked them. I asked them 3 questions.

- What are the challenges that new grad nurses face in the OR?

- What qualities are you looking for in an ideal candidate?

- When is orientation and how long is it?

It was a panel interview of 8 Periop nurses and coordinators.

rockbeatsscissors · Feb 22, 2016

Hi there,

I recently went through the same interviewing process and will be starting a perioperative residency shortly. DanielOR_RN covered a lot of the same questions I received. One of the first questions the panel asked was what I thought a perioperative nurse did. It seems like such an obvious question, but it's definitely worth practicing your answer for that one ahead of time.

Before I was done I also made sure to ask how my progress would be monitored and if there were formal and informal evaluations so I would know if I was on the right track.

qrkid · Mar 18, 2016

Thanks for the advice on the thread.

I have received two offers for periop residencies. Now to figure out which one to take. Beach or Mountains????

cocoa_puff · Apr 3, 2016

Beach or Mountains????

I would go with the beach personally :cool:

But more importantly, how much training would you get with each residency? What would the training consist of? How much support would you receive during orientation? How close is each hospital to where you live (unless you're planning to move). What is the pay like for each? Is call required? What shift would you be working with each? Which hospital did you like better?

TXPediORRN · Apr 6, 2016

I don't think floor nursing experience is required. I start IVs all the time and I'm at a teaching hospital with residents and fellows. I would google "behavioral interview questions for nursing positions ". Many places use this interview style, including the hospital I'm at now. It will help if you can get an idea of what you could be in for. Good luck.