"As a new RN, I feel confident in the organizational skills I've built during my nursing training and clinical rotations. If I'm fortunate enough to join a reputable institution like the Mount Sinai Hospital, you'd get a nurse who can tune out distractions and focus on the task at hand. I will prioritize the patients with the highest medical needs, and then move on. I don't take on too much work and would never hesitate to ask for help if a patient needed immediate care, and I couldn't leave what I was doing."

"Having worked in the emergency department for the last eight years, there have been times when the action was crazy with patients coming in. During these times, I always remembered that the needs of the patient come first, so my triage skills came into use to prioritize which patients are the highest priority and which ones can wait. Communication is essential for patients and something I would always utilize as an RN here at Mount Sinai Hospital. If a patient ever has to wait, I communicate that to them and check in with them when I can. It is equally important for any team of nurses and physicians to stay in communication. From there, I always stay calm and handle patients with quality care, one at a time."

First and foremost, this is a perfect question to draw from your past experiences. If you can, explain firsthand how you successfully navigated a busy shift in a clinic or on the hospital floor using solid communication and organizational skills. Some things that your interviewer will be looking to hear are your ability to use the tools and resources at your disposal to help you do your job and your ability to put the immediate needs of the patient first. Empathy and safety are core values at Mount Sinai Hospital, so focus on them when faced with a busy workload.