Tell me about a time....give example questions.

[neurocheck2]

I just had an interview today with a major hospital and I didn't get the typical interview questions such as, "Why do you want to work here?", "Tell me about yourself", or "What is your greatest weaknesses?" The whole interview was scenario questions such as "Tell me about a time where there was a conflict, how you handled it, and give me a specific example." Next question, "Tell me about a time when you used teamwork to accomplish a task and give me an example". Next question "Tell me about a time when you went the extra mile for a patient and give me an example" The interviewer had about ten of these type of questions she read off of a sheet of paper. She specifically told me I had to use examples from my nursing experience or clinical experience. I'm a new graduate RN and the problem I had was I couldn't come up with any specific examples. I never had any "conflicts" and I always go the extra mile on all my patients. I don't know about anybody else, but my clinical experience was non-eventful. Just assessments, treatments, medication passes, and documentation. IMO, these questions should be asked to nurses who have experience, not new graduates. So should I make up stories if I get another interview like this one?

[schnookimz]

Gosh I went to an interview last week and was frustrated I didn't get these questions!! I was so ready for them. Instead I got the "tell me about yourself" and I was sitting there like "uhhh what about me?"

[dat1nurse4u]

I have a scheduled phone interview for a major hospital Monday that I need to prepare myself for because I'm sure they will ask those exact questions. I agree that those type of questions should be asked for experience nurses because I'm a new grad myself and I wouldn't even know how to answer them. I would probably tell them the truth that I have never had any conflicts and if I did, this is what I would do... or I will always go beyond my call of duty for a patient because that is why I became a nurse. I like the simple questions like "tell me about yourself" or "what are you greatest strength/weakness" or even the question like "why should we hire you"... but I really get nervous so I am going to type up all my answers to prepare myself. Hopefully I don't get too nervous and hang up the phone when they ask me a question I didn't prepare for.

[sourapril]

I hate the question about conflict. I usually get along with everyone...there were small disagreements but not conflict. I can't think of any examples. Should I make something up?

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Behavioral interviewing is believed to be the most reliable predictor of fit and future performance.

You will face conflict at work with coworkers, unhappy patients, disruptive families, etc. If you say you've never had conflict, and get along with everyone, you'll be thought as either a pushover, or not being honest.

A skilled interviewer knows that the new grad hasn't had the same experiences as an experienced but everyone has had conflicts, whether at school, family, or at other jobs. Everyone should be able to think of some instance they went above and beyond, or resolved a dilemma. It doesn't have to be about nursing.

[elprup, BSN, RN]

Google ksa interview. You can get more ideas. The VA uses this type of interviewing.

[neurocheck2]

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm the type of person who stayed out of politics in the classroom or clinical setting. I never had a disruptive family but I did have one angry patient that I had to deal with. Another question they asked was about a change in procedure or work rules and how you dealt with it. I asked the interviewer if I could use an example from another job and the interviewer kept telling me I had to use a nursing examples. I got the dreaded e-mail last night explaining they selected another candidate for the position. Since I didn't get the job, I will disclose the location of the interview so others can be prepared-Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Edit-this was a one on one interview, not the phone interview. The phone interview was much easier in my case.

[TRINI_RN]

These types of questions are not my favorite because coming up with one specific example is sometimes hard. I just googled KSA's as suggested up thread and found literally pages of behavioral questions on VT's website. I'm attaching the document to this post. Good luck everyone!

behavioral_questions.doc

[RedSoxFan84]

I will be perfectly honest and say I have made up scenarios or bended the truth to answer these questions. There is no other way, especially coming from someone with little to no experience.