Abby4031

Hi all! I thought it would be useful to post about doing a recorded interview because I did't find much when searching for information about it yesterday. I am interviewing for a travel position and was told my interview would be recorded and then listened to by the hiring managers. It was actually pretty straight forward and I was more nervous than I should have been. The interview was preceded by a short questionnaire that has to be completed first with some information about my experience including how large the facilities and units I worked on were, how many patient's I typically see in a day, how many beds on the unit, etc. It took less than 15 minutes to complete. Then they give you a number to call with a pin. You call and the recording states they will ask a question, give a short time to think about the question, then you given your answer after the beep. I had only 3 questions: 1. Talk about a time when you felt your patient load was too heavy and what did you do about it? 2. How did you handle a situation with a an angry or upset patient or family member? 3. Give an example of when you went above and beyond for a patient. I hope this helps someone else feel less nervous about interviewing as it is nerve wracking enough just doing job search and interviewing.

I am very sorry for your loss. I lost my mother this April, a few days before my last final, which we needed to pass before starting the last term of preceptorship. The school was extremely understanding and let me take "as much time as I needed." I took a good week off just to grieve, then took the final and went on to graduate with my RN diploma. I needed that week even more than I knew, and even though the grieving isn't over (I think of her daily) I was able to go back and complete the program. So, I strongly encourage you to tell your program director who can help you navigate this personal trauma and be successful. Good luck.

"That's right honey, all us nurses 'put out' real good!"

Thanks!

ktwlpn--thanks for the advice, I will look that up tonight

I totally agree that it is a chemical restraint without assessing and trying alternatives, like ktwlpn said, of looking to basic needs and pain first. Thanks ktwlpn I will look that resource up tonight.

Canoehead, I hear what you are saying and appreciate the advice. I really need the CNAs to be on my side, so understand what you are saying. But at the same time, I don't want to medicate for convenience. This is a great facility, CNAs only have 6 or 7 patients each, most are usually in bed for the night by 8:30p. Also, the CNA was sitting at the nurses station eating at 4:30p (shift started at 3p) when I asked her to sit with the patient. Maybe most CNAs don't have the time, but at this facility I think it is reasonable for her to do a little one on one, which I have seen other CNAs do on previous nights. However, you are totally correct that some will be more comfortable than others doing it, and I need to learn patience and get to know the patients and the staff. There is a weight coming straight out of school to always do the right thing, and I don't want to lose that either.

Thanks Cheekylpn, it's a relief to get some advice and understanding. I have noticed that it is really hit or miss whether the Ativan works or not, and one nurse thinks the pt is delusional as well as dementia so it needs to be treated differently. I guess I need to study up on these disorders to understand them more fully.

I am a recent LPN grad on my first job at a LTC facilty with a few dementia patients. One in particular has a prn order for Ativan when she is agitated, although there aren't totally clear guidelines on when to give it to her and I have had problems getting a clear picture from the other nurses. A couple of times CNAs have just come up to me to tell me to medicate patients right when I come on shift, before I have even had time to see the patient myself. This happened last night so I went to see the patient and she wasn't that bad, saying "mama" over and over, but she does that, and she wasn't screaming it or trying to undress. So, I sat with her a bit, held her hand, gave her some pudding and she seemed okay. I asked the CNA to please try sitting with the patient one on one and she told me she didn't have time and it wasn't her job. I explained that prn meds, such as Ativan, are only to be given after trying other measures first, not as a preventative, or convenience to the healthcare workers. Later that night I saw the same CNA ask a patient if her knees hurt and did she want Tylenol? This is totally out of her scope of practice! Most of us got into nursing to help patients be the most independent as possible and live the fullest lives they can, not to be managers. At least I didn't get into this to be a manager. I deeply value the input and work the CNAs do, and could not do my job without them. Any advice for working better witih CNAs or to facilitate team work? Or even advice on working with dementia patients?