Tips please :)

libran1984, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

1. Give a brief synopsis of your current job and work ethic with emphasis on delegation, critical thinking, and prioritization.

2. Give an example of a time you were faced with an unexpected & new situation. Then discuss how you dealt with it.

3. Provide evidence you are capable of proficiently dealing with a diverse population such as drug seekers, the indigent, the psych ppl, and how you will be firm and fair.

4. Show how you've gone above and beyond to improve your current unit and work environment thru awards, honorable mentions, customer satisfaction surveys, and computer skills.

5. Follow up with questions- most important question, "what do you consider excellent customer service?" and listen to the response. HCAHPS scores are king.

---- this next thing is very very important...

After the interview you must send a thank you email as show of good faith and professionalism!

N1colina · Jan 4, 2013

All very good tips! Thank you so much! You brought something to my attention about drug seekers and the psych people...that's who I have the toughest time with! I CANNOT stand psych. I have zero compassion for it lately. We seem to have an overload of it recently, along with our usual dementia patients, which in my opinion go right along with the psych patients. I know neither group can help it, but it gets extremely frustrating when you have 5/6 patients that are confused/demented, and 3/6 that are trying to jump out of bed with a broken hip, or yelling out, or trying to beat you up! I've been back-handed, kicked in the head, spit on, you name it just within the last few weeks, and I'm tired of it. These are just some of the reasons I have applied for this position....because at least I can get rid of these patients in the ER in a few hours, and not have to care for them for 12 hour shifts, 3 days in a row, and for the 3 weeks they are with us on our floor!

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

I was expecting a different kind of thread, about gratuities in the ED.

But seriously, I feel compelled to remind you that the kind of folks you're complaining about come in through the ED. Sure, you don't have the same patients for your entire shift, but I've had many shifts where I've taken care of a series of folks like you describe, so it ends up not being much different than having the same ones the whole time. It's just the same thing with a different face.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but I dislike seeing people transfer to the ED in order to escape their current situation. Emergency nursing is a specialty with its own unique set of challenges, and it can be a tough place to work. An earnest desire to learn and grow both personally and professionally is, in my opinion, necessary if one is going to make it in the ED.

N1colina · Jan 4, 2013

Thanks for your reply. I understand I will still see a lot of those patients. That's what I'm beginning to feel afraid of. I respect your opinion and your advice. I am just feeling overwhelmed and confused at this point and don't know where I want to be. I just want to find my niche! I feel like I will never know if I can handle it, until I try it, right? Thanks again for the advice.

N1colina · Jan 4, 2013

Thanks for your reply. I understand I will still see a lot of those patients. That's what I'm beginning to feel afraid of. I respect your opinion and your advice. I am just feeling overwhelmed and confused at this point and don't know where I want to be. I just want to find my niche! I feel like I will never know if I can handle it until I try it, right? Thanks again for the advice.[/quote']
I just want to add: that I do have a strong desire to learn and grow and I agree this would be the place for it.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2013

It's true, you won't know until you try. You may very well be cut out for the ED. There is no way to know based upon some words on the computer screen! Good luck in your quest, and thank you for not getting defensive in response to my earlier post!