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Discussion

Pls. give me some pointers for my job interview in a Psychiatric facility next week

Hi just got a call today for a job interview at a Psychiatric facility here in NY. I am so excited for this interview coz I always want to be a Psych nurse. I just want to know what are the things that I need to know. and what are the possible questions that the manager might ask me, is it almost the same with the other nsg job interviews or it is slightly different? And also, what should I ask the interviewer. Thanks. All infos will be gladly appreciated.

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    Tell them how much and what you enjoyed from your psych rotations, and what you learned on them.

    Be honest with them about what you know and don't know. If you don't know something, don't try to bluff it--instead say that you don't know but that you would go and find the information via drug book, reference book, coworker, etc.

    Refresh your memory on therapeutic communication basics as well as the basics of common psych disorders (depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, substance abuse, etc.) and some interventions you would apply for each.

    Review some of the basic psych drugs (Haldol, Geodon, etc.). More importantly, review the serious adverse effects of common psych drugs (EPS, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, etc.), how you'd recognize them and how you'd treat them.

    As far as what you should ask her, you could ask her the same standard questions you'd ask any interviewer (hours, salary, policy on floating, staff/patient ratios, training opportunities, etc.).

    Of course, your interview experience could be completely different from mine :)

    Good luck!

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    Familiarize yourself with whatever population you would be working with (kids, adolescents, adults? Mood disorders, thought disorders, MR/DD, substance abuse, dual diagnosis?). Be aware that being hit, bitten, scratched, and spit on are all possible in a Psych job (not to mention cussed at and otherwise verbally insulted or threatened), and that seclusion and restraint are unfortunate necessities. Make sure that you are comfortable with all of that, and be prepared to convey that to an interviewer. Make sure you can convey an understanding that seclusion and restraint should only be used when needed for safety and that it's much better to calm a patient down using therapeutic communication and reducing potentially hostile situations proactively (e.g. don't have two patients sitting next to each other when you know those two argue/fight a lot..)

    Also be prepared for: Why do you want to work in Psych? Why do you want to work at this facility? What appeals to you about the specific population you're applying to work with?

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    • Author

    Thank you so much for replies. This is really a big help. It is a very big adult facility, they have inpatient, outpatient and residential. I am not sure yet what position they would offer me but i applied for nurse I since I am a new nurse. hopefully my interview will go well.

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    Wondering how the interview went. I've got one in 2 days.

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