Scenario Questions...

[rthornton07]

I had two interviews a couple weeks ago at different pysch facilities. I have never worked in pysch before, but it was my favorite part of nursing school. I thought I would apply and see what happened. They started asking me scenario questions. I told them I have never been in this situation, that I can only base my answer off what I was told to do in nursing school. So they told me to answer it on how I thought I would handle the situation. Well, I didn't get either job. It seems the simple interviews where they just ask; Tell me about yourself? Why do you want this job? Why did you become a nurse?. I get the jobs. But, I have never been offered a job where they have scenario questions. How do I get better with these?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

As far as psych scenarios go, patient safety is ALWAYS the priority. So think about what intervention(s) would bring that about. Would it be meds? Deescalation? Increased observation?

They know that you are a new grad so they don't expect you to come up with the perfect cure-all solution. But they do expect you to know what is important and what isn't

Practice will help make you better at answering them. Try rehearsing some scenarios with a friend.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

The other thing to remember in these scenarios is that psych patients HAVE rights. It's a common misconception among both patients and healthcare workers that when someone enters a psych hospital that they automatically lose all their rights. Not true. Psych patients have the same rights governing their treatment as your medical patient does, including the right to refuse treatment and medications...and this is regardless of whether they are admitted voluntarily or involuntarily (under a hold or court committment).

If a patient is court-ordered to take meds, that's another story...and that's a separate hearing from a commitment hearing. Emergency administration (patient is an immediate danger to self/others) is also another story.

But for the most part, the patients you encounter in everyday practice will retain their full rights.

Hope this helps.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

and don't assume that you did anything grossly wrong, they may have had an experienced person apply....

[Isitpossible, LPN, LVN]

new nurse, i also interviewed for a psych position... the interview went VERY well. the nurse manager even walked me around and introduced me to the staff as the new NURSE.... i waited one month, to be told I was not selected.... so please dont be hard on yourself! it may not be your answers at all, like morte said they might have found someone with experience is all...

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

in situations like the one you have encountered, i would advise you to learn from the experience and try to remember the questions asked and get the most appropriate answers they might be useful in your next interview. in addition, not always the candidate with the best answers or experience gets the position, i learned that first hand when i came to the states. unquestionably, try not to over think their decision move on...as i wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors...aloha~