Sharps New Grad Program Interview (Psychiatry Unit )

It is understandable to be nervous, but preparation is key!

I am currently finishing up a year long new graduate RN program with the Long Beach VA inpatient psychiatry. My interview with the director of nursing focused on my preparation and experience in psychiatry.

As with all interviews, prepare for scenario questions - bipolar pt in a manic phase is doing _____ - how do you respond? As with any other specialty, KNOW pertinent psychiatric nursing things such as the importance of a therapeuti milieu, how to de-escalate an aggressive pt, antipsychotic medications, etc. Also, do your research and have at least a general knowledge of the population you will be working with - for instance, as I knew that I would be working with veterans, prior to my interview I reviewed PTSD, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and suicide (is this for geropsych, controlled substance, etc?).

REVIEW scenarios and the big dx you feel you will encounter and make sure you feel comfortable with a general nursing knowlege of them to give well thought out responses.

Finally, know why YOU want to become a psych nurse. Psych nursing is very different in a lot of ways than medical nursing so this response is also key - they will want to know you are committed to this population.

Best of luck!

I was just curious how the interview went and if you are working at Mesa Vista now. I just got called for an interview for their residency program and was wondering if you had any tips.

I was just curious how the interview went and if you are working at Mesa Vista now. I just got called for an interview for their residency program and was wondering if you had any tips.

Hi Sholey12345 & Bongo5,

I have the same question Sholey12345 had a few months ago. I have an interview with Mesa Vista coming up for the residency program, and I was wondering how your interviews went, and if either of you are working at Mesa Vista now?