What happens at a Peer Interview?

[ncriverrat]

Hi,

Went in for my interview for med-surg today. Went really well- thanks to all you guys for the tips!

Only got a few questions, such as "at you last job, as a CNA, what were your strengths and weaknesses" and "what do you like about working with a team" etc.

She said that I looked professional(yay, i tried lol) She said it's crazy how many people went to interview in sweats...I thought she was kidding but she was totally serious lol. She had a lot of positive things to say about me. She said that she can usually tell when someone would be a great fit on the unit, and that she feels that I would be great there.

Sooooooooo....things went great I think

NOW- I have a peer interview on Sunday. I had never heard of this before. What exactly goes on? She told me that I get to be interviewed by the charge nurse and a couple of RNs. My main question is what do they ask? What kinds of information are they looking for?

Thanks so much for your help! And...wish me luck!

[Noryn]

I did one of these a few months ago for the first time. The questions I was asked were, "are you dependable", "is it ever ok to come in late", "are you able to get your work done","tell us a little about yourself","how do you handle an abusive patient", "how do you handle stress."

It really isnt that bad, however it is a bit different because you cant really focus on one person.

[RGN1]

Good luck!

[ncriverrat]

Thanks for the reply!

So it's kinda just like a "get to know you" thing? Sounds good, hopefully I do well!

[gr8rnpjt, RN]

They may ask situational questions, like what would you do if this or that happened. They usually want to see if you are a team player and if you will get along with others on the unit. Keep this in mind and you will do fine.

[ncriverrat]

Situations are what I'm scared of. Since I'm a new grad, I don't want to answer something wrong.

[CritterLover, BSN, RN]

peer interviews really arn't so bad. i think they are mostly looking to see if you are a good fit with the unit.

you are a new grad. they won't expect you to know the (technical) answer to some "situational" questions. but they may ask you some to find out where your instincts are. do you try to handle things yourself, or do you get help? in my view, it is always good for a new nurse to ask for help. as your coworker, it is much easier for me to help you out and do it right, than to help you fix a problem because you didn't ask for help.

the on time/dependablility issue is usually a big one in peer interviews. they are the ones who will hurt the most (along with the patients) if you are late/call in a lot.

another issue are new nurses who already know it all. you can't teach them anything because they learned it in school. they are dangerous.

be friendly, be on time, be professionally dressed, show a willingness to learn, and i think you will do fine.

good luck!

[teenynurse]

I have a peer interview which I never heard of, but what makes it crazy is my classmates went to this hopsital so one of my classmates has to interview me

[TrudyRN]

They play poker and and and :smiley_aa and :beer: and :cheers:.

Just kidding. They ask you questions, probably a lot like one interviewer would do, just that now it's this whole array of people focusing on you. Or maybe just 2 interviewers and you.

I hope it went well, since your post is from last year. :w00t:

[gritscofc]

• How would you handle a situation where your patient refused medication?
  
• How would you handle having to assume care of another nurse who was pulled to another unit? And as a follow up question if you have discharged a majority of your patient what would you do?
  
• How would you handle a situation in which another nurse wasn't doing their part to help out?
  
• Give an example of how you use optimism to change or better a patient's care?
  

I went to a peer interview today, a first for me so I listed the questions I remember. Hope this is helpful. I was nervous because I didn't know how to prepare for the interview, but it went well.