OET WARM-UP QUESTIONS
Why did you choose nursing?
My mother has always been my role model to me both professionally and personally. She has been a nurse for nearly 20 years and I grew up seeing her passion for nursing and hearing about the stories of her patients. Additionally, I feel that it is apt for my personality as I have always enjoyed helping others and have experienced immense satisfaction knowing I have helped someone get through a tough time in their life.
What is the most challenging part of nursing?
The most challenging part of being a nurse is always witnessing the patient’s suffering. Seeing them suffer and their beloved ones’ sorrows are challenging to handle; however, being a nurse I have to provide the utmost care and make them feel better. No matter how things are, I will be taking an empathic approach toward them.
Can you describe your job?
As a nurse, my job primarily involves monitoring patients, administering medications and providing nursing care. Much of my role also involves liaising with other health professionals to deliver high-quality care during a patient’s hospital admission.
On a typical day at work I:
- Conduct physical examinations and check patients’ vital signs
- Take detailed patient histories
- Listen to patients and analyze their physical and emotional needs
- Provide counselling and health care education to patients and their families
- Coordinate care with other health care providers and specialists
- Stay current with advances in health care options, medications, and treatment plans
- Draw blood, and perform another health-related testing
According to you, what is the most rewarding aspect of nursing?
I am an extremely passionate nurse and I aspire to make a difference. So, caring for people at a vulnerable point in their life is a very rewarding and satisfying experience. The fact that I know I’m making a positive difference in someone else’s life is what makes my work meaningful.
Another rewarding aspect of the career for me is working with a group of like-minded people who use their expertise and passion to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
What are your professional goals?
A few important and most achievable professional goals in the near future include joining the Emergency Nurses Association and becoming an emergency room nurse practitioner. The second is to earn my master’s in nursing. I love teaching and would like to guide young aspirants to become successful nurses and have excellent careers. Thus I hope to mentor nurses and share what I have learned. I am excited about the opportunity to fulfil my goals.
Do you prefer to work independently or as a team?
I am equally comfortable working as a member of a team and independently. I am capable of doing independent work as per the requirements in my profession and I can also work with others much efficiently where the team effort is most effective. As I said, I’m comfortable with both.
How do you handle stress?
Stress is very important to me. With stress, I do the best possible job. The appropriate way to deal with stress is to make sure I have the correct balance between good stress and bad stress. I need good stress to stay motivated and productive. I react to situations, rather than to stress. That way, the situation is handled and doesn’t become stressful.
What personal characteristics should a staff nurse possess to be good at the job?
It is important to be organized, and have a good memory; a nurse performs the duties quickly, on time, and efficiently. Nurses are sensitive, and pleasant with others. A nurse’s attitude must not be to simply administer technical treatment mechanically but to make patients feel as comfortable as possible.
How is patient progress monitored by a staff nurse?
Nurses monitor vital signs and look for symptoms of potential illness. we chart progress for use by other nurses, and physicians. Nurses report progress to physicians on duty.
How do you handle a situation where your replacement does not arrive on time?
I contact my replacement roughly an hour before my shift ends to ensure that they will arrive on time. If they communicate that there will be a delay or absence, I help them find a substitute to take their shift or inform the senior nurse or doctor when I cannot find a substitute. In either case, I make sure to not leave my post until my replacement arrives.
How would you handle a disagreement with a doctor?
Doctors may handle a lot more patients than nurses. Sometimes it becomes difficult for them to keep track of medical records and patient histories accurately. When there is a discrepancy between a doctor’s instructions and a patient’s medical records, I discuss the issue in detail with the doctor to get it resolved before we take any further action. When we cannot resolve it, we take a mutual decision to escalate it to a supervisor.
Describe how you manage a busy workload.
Whenever there are too many tasks ahead of me in a shift, I sit with the other nurses to split all our tasks into smaller components and handle them one at a time. Usually, we devise a workflow where a single person handles similar tasks. This way, we increase speed and efficiency by working in groups and delegating tasks effectively.
How do you respond when people ask for your personal diagnosis outside a clinical setting?
I am often approached by friends and family about ailments and health issues that they may be experiencing. Although I may provide them with a speculative diagnosis, I always refer them to a doctor so that they can get it looked at professionally.
How well do you work with other nurses, doctors and staff?
During my clinical training in the emergency response room, I learned how important it is to communicate well with other nurses. For example, I make sure to consult with a senior nurse or doctor whenever I administer a new treatment or medicine to patients. Often, doctors know the medical history of their patients in detail, so I find it best to consult with them rather than go by the demands of the patient.