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I am a new grad working in a resthome for four months now. I find hard to inform the family that their loved one is dying. wha't the right way and right word to say to them? Or sometimes the pt is really unwell, but im unsure wether they are dying and family will ask me questions. How to respond ? Thanks.

Hi im a new grad nurse, working in a resthome in NZ. I just had a similar case for one of my resident. He had a low grade fever before I left my am shift. when I came on to am shift the next day, the night nurse handed over to me that he is dying. I asked her how is his tempurature, he turned around and said to me: the man is dying and I didnt bother to take his tempurature. she is a agency nurse. I sat there and felt like I asked a stupid question. I went to check on the resident after handover, poor him, lying in bed, his breathing is really laboured, his temp is 39.7 degree celsius (sorry, dont know how to covert it to °F). Anyway, I am so mad at that agency nurse. I know he is dying, but how can you just watch him suffer and didnt do anything? not even to take his temp? Its my first dying resident and im quite scared. Try to ring the doctor at 7am..but its weekend and cant get hold of her. contacted the family, all went into voice mail...start to panic...im the only nurse on..so i called manager. in the end, i called ambulance and send him to hospital. they put him on syringe pump in the hospital and cool him down to make him comfortable, and his family is there with him, he passed away after two days..manager said i did the right thing, to make him comfortable. Thanks you guys for the great posts. Give me an idea of what to do in the similar situation next time.

for question 3. can i seek help from other nurses by delegating my other pts to them, as for patient safety, this patient may require close monitor in the ward and one-to-one care? and I will also inform physician and charge nurse.

Thanks for your reply. It really helps.

Thank you. I would do that. Its hard to get a job now as a new grad. Im just trying to apply as many postion as I get and hope I can get a job soon. As a new grad, I want to join the new grad programme in hospital. If I still cant get a job this time. I will apply rest home or GP.

Thanks a lot. This really helps. I just graduated and registered. But when I am asked about scenario based questions, I just dont know how to answer. When look back my practise as a student nurse. I feel there are no significant events happened that I can use during my interview...I just feel so stuck. Why is this? I dont know...but i know this is a really bad sign.... why I cant recall any difficult patient/situation I manged before?

I am applying a nursing job and there are some questions that im not sure how to answer. Can anyone help plz? 1. describe the transition you expect to undertake when moving from the student role to the registered nurse role. 2. what are the qualities or skills you have which you would bring to an employing organisation? My answer: - Effectively assess, plan and manage client care - Work with clients and their family in a culturally safe and appropriate manner to deliver effective care; - Act professionally in a team, collaborating with team members to deliver best possible care and outcome and I am a proactive person and im always willing to learn> Dose this answer sounds OK? 3. during your shift one of your patients becomes unwell, requiring a lot of your timr, describe your actions, including how you would re-prioritise your workload to best manage the situation? This one is hard..coz i have never been in situation like this before...