How to Answer: How do you react in high stress clinical situations?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a NICU Fellowship job interview.
2. How do you react in high stress clinical situations?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a NICU fellow, you'll face high-stress clinical situations regularly. The interview panel wants to understand how you react when faced with these stressful moments.
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 9th, 2022
How to Answer
Assure the interviewers that you react to stress in a calm manner, not allowing it to impact the quality of care you deliver, your decision-making, or how you communicate with others in a negative way.
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 9th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've certainly faced a lot of high-stress clinical situations during residency, like being called to the ER to consult on cases where children have lost limbs or suffered significant blood loss during an accident. When faced with these situations, I stay focused on what's most important, which is making sound medical decisions. I tend to hone in on the details of the case, stay calm, and take things one step at a time. I've found that parents often experience panic and a flood of emotion in high-stress situations involving their children, so I also work hard to serve as a source of comfort in those moments."
Written by Tiffany McPherson on May 9th, 2022