What part of your healthcare career brings you the most stress?
Stress can often be a regular part of the day-to-day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful and what strategies and techniques you use to reduce or manage stress. Perhaps you take regular breaks, do some deep breathing exercises, or ask for help from peers when you're behind. Demonstrate that you understand the importance of the topic and share ways that you mentally prepare for your shift, prioritize your day, and manage throughout the shift. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (Ie: a healthcare worker should not find facing illness to be the most stressful part of the job).
"When the schedule is running behind due to lack of hustle on my or my team's part, I find it stressful. I like to be on time with my schedule to ensure that our patients and clients get the proper, timely help that they need. Effective communication can help mitigate this stressor. Collaborating with the team to understand priorities, setbacks, and challenges can help things run more smoothly."
"The fast-pace of healthcare can be stressful in itself. Over the years, I have learned many stress-management techniques. I get plenty of rest every night, so I'm mentally sharp and focused at work. I also take my meal breaks to regulate hormones and blood-sugar levels to perform at my best. I'm not afraid to ask for help if I need it and to speak up and communicate with my manager if something isn't going well in the unit. Open communication and dialogue among the team keep the shift operating smoothly. Lastly, I try to leave work at work and not take the emotions and stress home with me, so I can recharge for the next day."
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