Graduate Registered Nurse Interview Preparation

A collection of vocabulary terms, clinical protocols, and core values essential for a Graduate Registered Nurse preparing for interviews and entering clinical practice.

Medication Adherence

Taking medicines correctly at the right time, dose, and frequency as agreed with your doctor.

STAR Method

A framework for framing interview answers standing for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

Patient Advocacy

Nurses speaking up for their patients, acting in their patient’s best interest, and making sure their patient’s needs, preferences, and voices are heard.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

A variety of healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, social workers, and allied health coming together to work on a mutual goal of the patient receiving safe holistic care.

Teach-back

Getting the patient to explain the information back in their own words to identify misunderstandings and ensure they understand their treatment or medications.

DRSABCD

An assessment approach for unresponsive patients: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and Defibrillation.

CERS

The Clinical Emergency Response System protocol used for clinical escalation when a patient deteriorates.

ISBAR

A communication technique for clinical information used between colleagues: Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation.

ANTT

Aseptic Non-Touch Technique, used to ensure infection control during clinical procedures such as wound care.

Open Disclosure

Being completely honest and transparent about an error with the patient, involving senior staff according to hospital policy.

eMR

Electronic Medical Record, used for clinical documentation.

IMS+ (Incident Management System)

A reporting system for incidents and medication errors that does not replace clinical documentation.

S8 Medication

Dangerous drugs that require two RNs to check, prepare, sign, and administer at the bedside together.

Between the Flags

Criteria used to identify patient deterioration and indicate when to escalate through CERS.

Scope of Practice

Recognizing one’s personal limitations and remaining within their competency and comfort level to ensure patient safety.

A-G Assessment

A systematic clinical assessment involving Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and other vital indicators to identify signs of deterioration.

NSW Health Core Values

Collaboration, Openness, Respect, and Empowerment.

Delegation

An important skill for the RN to manage workload, though it may be perceived as laziness by new graduates if not understood as a safe practice skill.

5 Moments of Hand Hygiene

An infection control principle applied to everyday nursing practice to prevent the spread of infection.

BGL

Blood Glucose Level, such as in the scenario of a hypoglycemic patient with a reading of $2.5\,mmol/L$.

Hypotension

A condition defined by low blood pressure where the nurse should repeat BP to confirm, check IV access, and compare against deterioration criteria.

Hypoxia

A possible cause of acute confusion indicated by low oxygen saturation levels, such as $88\%$.