Please help me... Nursing interview coming up.

They aren't expecting you to answer this as a nurse and there is no "right" answer. They are looking to see how you would handle that situation. I guarantee that you will find yourself in situations during clinicals where something needs to be done and you are the only person around to do it. They want to get a sense of how you would think through the problem. Just answer honestly, what would you do?

Let the officer know you are only a student, that you will look in on the patient, and would need to get help from someone else (your clinical instructor or a staff nurse after checking the patient.

When checking on the "patient", get a few details ... is he breathing, is he arousable (in a strong voice say, "Sir, can you hear me?"), what is his general appearance (is he disheveled, does he look nourished). You can also get some info from the officer such as where was the man found, or is this a man with a history of being found by police?

While it's true that no one expects you to provide nursing care at this point, I think it's important to look at the patient first because the staff nurse or your clinical instructor might ask you a few questions. You want to demonstrate that you've taken the initiative and that you've gathered some info on your own before seeking help.

What types of situations were you thinking of in which she would be the only person around and should take action? I think that is what you are saying she should do - correct me, please, if that's not what you meant.

I didn't advocate for her to do anything in particular. I didn't want to answer the question for her, that's her responsibility. I was trying to get her to think about what she would do in that given situation.

Situations where you don't feel competent are always coming up in clinical. Doesn't mean it's life or death, but when you are the only person around and a patient asks you for a drink of water, what do you do? If it's your first day in clinical you might not even feel confident to find out their diet and see if it's ok, so you will ask the nurse instead. That's all I meant. I think the question is meant to find out how she handles a situation where she doesn't feel competent. If she uses someone else's answer it completely defeats the purpose of the question.

If she looked up the diet but didn't check to see about NPO status or know that the person had just had Fosamax, just looking up the diet alone wouldn't be good, right? So someone who is not familiar with the patient SHOULD ask the nurse.

I think you had good intentions, but your answer fell hard on my ears. She is, after all, not even a student yet. Why SHOULD she know what to do in a given nursing/medical situation? I think it's a dumb interview question, actually.

I give up, you are just not understanding what I am trying to say at all. I am not answering her question, I am trying to give her things to think about. I think it is a very valid question and asking for answers from other people is cheating, imo. That's why I won't give her how I would answer it.

They aren't expecting you to answer this as a nurse and there is no "right" answer. They are looking to see how you would handle that situation. I guarantee that you will find yourself in situations during clinicals where something needs to be done and you are the only person around to do it. They want to get a sense of how you would think through the problem. Just answer honestly, what would you do?

Hello Annaiya, thank you for the reply, it really helps me think what to do. I wish that time I knew the best answer. I came from the other country so I was not familiar with how it works here in the US.

I didn't advocate for her to do anything in particular. I didn't want to answer the question for her, that's her responsibility. I was trying to get her to think about what she would do in that given situation.

Situations where you don't feel competent are always coming up in clinical. Doesn't mean it's life or death, but when you are the only person around and a patient asks you for a drink of water, what do you do? If it's your first day in clinical you might not even feel confident to find out their diet and see if it's ok, so you will ask the nurse instead. That's all I meant. I think the question is meant to find out how she handles a situation where she doesn't feel competent. If she uses someone else's answer it completely defeats the purpose of the question.

That was last year's interview, and it came out I wasn't accepted due to the fact that my points wasn't enough. I was very honest with my self when I was trying to answer the question. I didn't realize that being a nursing student is the same as CNA when it comes handling a patient. I did not explain my answer further, so i guess the interviewer didn't like my answer, besides I don't have enough points because that time I haven't completed my pre-req. Now, I completed my pre-req. and given the chance to be interview again. I now know what to expect for the interview. This is going to my references/guide that whatever situation they are going to throw to me during the interview I have to keep in mind that I'm only a student nurse, and not even allowed to give care; unless it's been supervise by teacher or the nurses on duty.

I give up, you are just not understanding what I am trying to say at all. I am not answering her question, I am trying to give her things to think about. I think it is a very valid question and asking for answers from other people is cheating, imo. That's why I won't give her how I would answer it.

I'm sorry I didn't know that asking others opinion or ideas is considered to be cheating. I thought, its considered to be cheating when I asked while I'm having an interview. I repeat my self this was last year interview, and I have no idea what kind of questions they are going to asked to me again. My parents always remind me that if I don't understand or know what to do the patient, I should not hesitate to ask to the supervisor because it's all about patient's life not about me.

I'm sorry I didn't know that asking others opinion or ideas is considered to be cheating. I thought, its considered to be cheating when I asked while I'm having an interview. I repeat my self this was last year interview, and I have no idea what kind of questions they are going to asked to me again. My parents always remind me that if I don't understand or know what to do the patient, I should not hesitate to ask to the supervisor because it's all about patient's life not about me.

That is it exactly. You don't want to try to do more than is safe for you to do. It is never wrong to ask for help. So much of nursing is critical thinking and judgement calls. Nursing school is very competitive, so you not having enough points to get in doesn't necessarily mean you had a low score. If everyone who got in had a perfect score and you missed 1 point, it would mean your score was too low to get in. Keep that in mind. You have to be about to outscore the other applicants, but not getting in doesn't mean that wouldn't be successful in school. Good luck with the interview, I'm sure it will go better this year, since you know more what to expect.

Tweetums... I don't think you were cheating by asking how someone would handle a situation. I do it all the time, and no one would ever question my integrity. In fact, newer nurses and students are expected to ask for help from those with more experience. After a while, you will be able to act more independently (they say it takes about 5 yrs to become "an expert"), though you probably will never act completely independent. Even experienced nurses encounter new situations and will find themselves in need of asking others for help.

By the way, while on this subject, you will also find a plethora of websites on how to handle your first job interview as a nurse. Many popular questions asked by nursing interviewers will be found on these sites. Some even offer examples of responses that would make you look bad or good. So, if new grads are looking around for help w/ interviews, I don't see why prospective nursing students can't ask for help, either. :-)

All the best to you! I'll be looking for your good news about the interview!