Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult patient experience and how you resolved it?
The interviewer wants to know if you can stay professional under pressure. It is also a chance for the interviewer to evaluate how well you can problem-solve under stress. When answering this question, it is important to highlight how you overcame whatever difficulty occurred.
"I worked as a CNA in a local hospital. There was one patient who was very demanding and asked me to do things that were not associated with their care, like calling numerous relatives from out of state and bring them freshly made coffee every single hour. After trying to talk to the patient independently, I had to ask the nurse to speak to him with me. Having another voice who could be an intermediary between the two of us, the patient relaxed their demands and was amicable for the rest of their time in the hospital."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
Recently, I had to discharge a patient who was impatient to leave the hospital. The patient would sound irritated and want to get off the wheelchair in the hallway. I could see that the patient didn't have the best experience, so I understood how the patient felt. I acknowledged that to the patient and assured him that I would have him discharged quickly. When the patient's ride came, the patient started being kind to me and thanked me for discharging him.
Chad's Feedback
The example you provide is great, and demonstrates your ability to remain professional when dealing with a difficult patient. However, your response would benefit from some additional details to make your story example more compelling. I recommend offering a detailed description of the steps you took to deal with the situation and calm the patient down. We have a guide that you may find helpful in organizing your response to this behavioral-based interview question - https://www.mockquestions.com/articles/5 Behavioral Based Interview Questions You Should Prepare For/
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