Tell us about a situation where you made a mistake and how you handled it.

JUNIOR LEVEL

Sample answer to the question:

In my previous role as a nurse on the surgical unit, I made a mistake when administering medication to a patient. I accidentally gave the wrong dosage of a pain medication, which caused the patient to experience increased drowsiness and confusion. As soon as I realized the mistake, I immediately notified the charge nurse and the physician in charge. Together, we assessed the patient's condition and implemented appropriate interventions to ensure their safety. I also documented the incident in the patient's medical record and completed an incident report, as per hospital protocol. I took this mistake as an opportunity for personal growth and made sure to learn from it. I discussed the incident with the charge nurse and attended additional training on medication administration to prevent future errors. This experience taught me the importance of double-checking medication orders and remaining vigilant in patient care.

Here is a more solid answer:

During my time as a nurse consultant, I encountered a situation where I made a mistake in medication reconciliation for a patient. Due to a misinterpretation of the medication list, I failed to include one of the patient's important medications. This error was discovered during a comprehensive medication review with the patient's interdisciplinary team, including physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. I immediately took responsibility for my mistake and communicated it to the team. We worked together to assess the potential impact on the patient's health and develop a plan to address the omission. I utilized our healthcare technology and informatics system to update the patient's medication profile, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information. Additionally, I collaborated with the pharmacy team to communicate the change and ensure proper administration going forward. This experience taught me the importance of thorough documentation and communication, as well as the need to consistently double-check and verify medication orders and reconciliations.

Why is this a more solid answer?

The solid answer expands on the basic answer by providing specific details about the mistake made, the collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and the use of healthcare technology and informatics. It also highlights the candidate's time management and organizational abilities through their ability to identify and rectify the mistake promptly. However, it could further improve by discussing the candidate's adaptability to a fast-paced healthcare environment and their compassion and patient-centered care focus.

An example of a exceptional answer:

In my role as a nurse consultant, I encountered a situation where my mistake in medication administration had potentially severe consequences for a patient. I inadvertently administered an antibiotic to a patient with a documented allergy. Immediately realizing my error, I halted the administration, informed the patient, and promptly informed the healthcare team. With the patient's safety as our utmost priority, we began implementing the necessary interventions, including providing appropriate allergy management, closely monitoring the patient's condition, and proactively involving the pharmacy team to review and update the patient's allergy profile in our electronic health record system. Recognizing the emotional impact of this incident on the patient and their family, I remained empathetic and provided emotional support, reassuring them of our commitment to their well-being. This experience reinforced the importance of thorough patient assessments, the need for effective communication within interdisciplinary teams, and the significance of compassion in patient-centered care.

Why is this an exceptional answer?

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by highlighting a more severe mistake made by the candidate and the subsequent actions taken to ensure patient safety. It demonstrates their ability to handle high-pressure situations and emphasizes their adaptability to a fast-paced healthcare environment. The answer also showcases their compassion and patient-centered care focus through their empathetic approach towards the patient and their family. Additionally, it emphasizes the use of healthcare technology and informatics to update the patient's allergy profile. The answer is comprehensive and addresses all the evaluation areas.

How to prepare for this question:

Reflect on past mistakes and consider the lessons learned from them. Think about how you addressed the mistake and the actions you took to prevent similar errors in the future.

Familiarize yourself with the medication administration process in your current or previous workplace. Understand the importance of double-checking medication orders and the documentation required for medication errors.

Highlight your ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams by sharing examples of successful teamwork in your past experiences. Discuss how you communicated and worked together towards a common goal.

Demonstrate your proficiency with healthcare technology and informatics by describing specific instances where you utilized electronic health record systems or other healthcare technology to enhance patient care or prevent errors.

Emphasize your commitment to patient-centered care by sharing stories of how you advocated for patients' needs and preferences, ensuring their comfort and satisfaction.

Prepare to discuss your adaptability to a fast-paced healthcare environment by sharing examples of how you effectively managed multiple tasks and prioritized responsibilities.

Practice conveying empathy and compassion in your answers by using thoughtful and considerate language when discussing mistakes and their impact on patients.

Be confident and genuine in acknowledging your mistakes and taking responsibility for them. Show your willingness to learn and grow from those experiences.

What are interviewers evaluating with this question?