How to Answer: Talk about the most stressful situation you had to handle during residency training. What did you learn from that situation that you can bring to your PICU Fellowship training?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a PICU Fellowship job interview.
15. Talk about the most stressful situation you had to handle during residency training. What did you learn from that situation that you can bring to your PICU Fellowship training?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Staff in the pediatric ICU setting can find themselves in very stressful working situations from time to time for a variety of reasons. Given the highly specialized nature of pediatric intensive care and the patient situations they deal with, the stress can be both physical and psychological. Your interviewer wants to get a feel for how you will handle these situations as a fellow with their program.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
How to Answer
Think of a specific time you had to manage a stressful situation during your residency training. Describe how you handled it, talk about what tools or resources you used, and explain the outcome of the situation. If possible, talk about specific coping techniques you used to help you through that particular situation to prove your ability to handle the mental and physical challenges of your PICU Fellowship.
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022
Answer Example
"I'd have to say that the most stressful week of my residency training was a combination of both work and personal stress. I was on a busy rotation during the second year that had me working a 60-hour inpatient week. One week, my family at home was down and out with the stomach flu. In this situation, I learned to keep my mind focused on work while at work and then shift to home life when I went home. I pride myself on not taking my work stress home with me and vice versa because I believe this is a critical skill in preventing physician burnout on the job."
Written by Ryan Brunner on May 10th, 2022