Please help me... Nursing interview coming up.

[simply_tweetums]

Hello everyone, I am very desperate of seeking for help here who has experience in hospital setting. I am invited for a step 2 for admission for the nursing program. I was very lucky last year that I was invited for interview,despite the fact that I haven't completed my pre-requisite for nursing program. During the interview last year I really didn't anticipate the question they asked to me. It was a scenario questions that mostly happen in the hospital. Can anyone help me the best answer of these scenario? please please to all who nurse who experience this situation help me.

Here's the scenario:

A policeman came to the ER with a man whose very drunk and unconscious. Then, it so happen that I'm the only available person during time (whose still a nursing student doing some clinicals in the ER) So, the policeman decided to approach, and ask me to take care of the person. So, what are some steps do i need to do after the policeman give the information about the guy. I really don't know the answer to this scenario because I never been to a Hospital situation. please help me, thank you very much.

[pmshiftrn, BSN, RN]

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!

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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.

So what would your answer be if you were asked the question now?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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.

We can agree that I don't understand. Here the girl is just asking a simple question and you perceive that she is cheating. I don't see it that way at all. I think she's smart to ask!

Anyway, peace and g'day.

[simply_tweetums]

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.

Honestly, I was not comfortable and even feel bad about the word "Cheating" because first, I never cheat just to get to the top or having a high score in class. I got my high grade because I struggle very hard, so I deserve it. Second, I always give my best effort to become the best nursing assistant and making sure that my patients who are assigned to me will have the best care, including by asking to my supervisor more about the patient or best way to give care to the patient. Right, I'm having hesitant to ask more questions here, because that might lead to cheating again. Anyway, Thank you Annaiya for the words of encouragement you share to me.

[simply_tweetums]

So what would your answer be if you were asked the question now?

Since, you reminded me that we are going to learn the First Aid Class before the nursing program start, I will perform the ABC procedure (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) which is the correct protocol in performing first aid provided then I'm authorize to perform CPR when I'm alone or without the supervision of my instructor or stuff nurse. When I was still a nursing assistant employee, it always an SOP procedure that when we have a new patient we always ask an important information about the patient, same with, by asking to the police some information about the unconcious drunkard person, and perform some basic procedure like check for vital signs which we always do in the nursing home. This way, when there's available nurses or doctors at the emergency room already, I can provided to them the information they want before they can perform further patient care.

[simply_tweetums]

I thought about this for a year of what should be the best answer to the question. I even came to the point of enforcing my self to watch the Discovery health or Fitness and health on TV, so that I can understand what an emergency setting is. And, reflects what were the SOP procedure I did learn everytime we have a new patient when I was still working as CNA. After reading all your post you all share to me here, I was able to confirmed my self that if you were to ask those question also, we're in the same boat in answering the question. Yes, I admit I might use some of the information to those who who were willing to answer my question, but it doesn't really mean that I will copy paste everything. Of course, I need to say it in my own words which the interviewer can understand my points of view. I guess, it's going to be pretty obvious if you copy the answer from someone else because you will not going to say it right or the answer doesn't make sense at all. I understand that asking questions to the head nurse, or co-workers is a way of teamwork because by asking to them it only means you are willing to know their opinions or ideas and willing to work with them in improving patient care.

[Annaiya, NP]

Since, you reminded me that we are going to learn the First Aid Class before the nursing program start, I will perform the ABC procedure (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) which is the correct protocol in performing first aid provided then I'm authorize to perform CPR when I'm alone or without the supervision of my instructor or stuff nurse. When I was still a nursing assistant employee, it always an SOP procedure that when we have a new patient we always ask an important information about the patient, same with, by asking to the police some information about the unconcious drunkard person, and perform some basic procedure like check for vital signs which we always do in the nursing home. This way, when there's available nurses or doctors at the emergency room already, I can provided to them the information they want before they can perform further patient care.

For what it is worth, I think this is a great answer. You sound like a smart, caring person, so don't stress yourself out too much over all of this. You don't want to be so anxious about the interview that you make yourself really nervous. Just relax and be yourself. It sounds like you've learned a lot over the last year and if you let the interviewers know that, I'm sure you'll do great. I didn't get into nursing school the first time I applied either, but where there's a will, there's a way:)

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

since, you reminded me that we are going to learn the first aid class before the nursing program start, i will perform the abc procedure (airway, breathing, and circulation) which is the correct protocol in performing first aid provided then i'm authorize to perform cpr when i'm alone or without the supervision of my instructor or stuff nurse. when i was still a nursing assistant employee, it always an sop procedure that when we have a new patient we always ask an important information about the patient, same with, by asking to the police some information about the unconcious drunkard person, and perform some basic procedure like check for vital signs which we always do in the nursing home. this way, when there's available nurses or doctors at the emergency room already, i can provided to them the information they want before they can perform further patient care.

stuff nurse - i love it! roflmbo!!! :lol2: we definitely do handle a lot of stuff. i know you meant staff, it's just that the way you typed it really tickled my funny bone.

i think you'll be a wonderful nurse. best wishes.

[simply_tweetums]

Stuff nurse - I love it! ROFLMBO!!! :lol2: We definitely do handle a lot of stuff. I know you meant staff, it's just that the way you typed it really tickled my funny bone.

I think you'll be a wonderful nurse. Best wishes.

hahaha I didn't realize that I type it wrong, goodness.. It was really late at night when i typed that message. But anyway, Does my answer enough for me to pass? hahaha. Well great, I made you laugh.. Laughter is the best medicine in life.

[simply_tweetums]

I got some good news! I received a call yesterday, and I got accepted into the program. To all who help me thank you very much!

[Annaiya, NP]

Congratulations! :anpom:

I'm sure you will do great in school. I think those of us who didn't get in the first time around appreciate out spot in the class a little more and it keeps us motivated.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

The interviewers asked you this question to see how critically and logically you can think and reason. They usually ask an emergency situation scenario to see how fast you can think as well.

As a student you ALWAYS report to the shift coordinator{SC}/RN in charge. You do not initiate care on your own, unless u have been specifically told to. Always initiate care within your scope of practice. As 3rd year student nurses, we were expected to take a patient load, but couldn't do meds or make decisions without first discussing with with the RN/CN in charge.

I'm not an ER/ED nurse, but the patient would need to be triaged first - it's not up to a policeman just to tell you what you should and shouldn't do - YOU and the RN/SC are in charge, not the police.