Surgical First Assistant Mock Interview
Master 30 Surgical First Assistant interview questions covering sterile technique, intraoperative procedures, and clinical judgment.
Question 14 of 30
Many healthcare workers report experiencing 'burn out' at some point in their careers. What do you do to help prevent this in your life?
Entry Level
Experienced
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Darby Faubion has been a Nurse and Allied Health Educator for over 20 years. She has clinical experience in several specialty areas, including pediatrics, medical-surgical, critical care, and hospice.
"I had a great mentor when I was in college. She told me if I didn't remember anything else she told me, that I should always remember to take care of myself. I have grown to understand what she meant. If we are bogged down physically and emotionally, it is easy to become overwhelmed and experience feeling burned out."
Darby Faubion has been a Nurse and Allied Health Educator for over 20 years. She has clinical experience in several specialty areas, including pediatrics, medical-surgical, critical care, and hospice.
"Unfortunately, I can speak from experience about burn out. When I was a new surgical assistant, I thought I could work all the time and that I was invincible. After working a lot of overtime and not taking time for myself, it really began to take a toll on me. Since then, I have learned how to work hard, but to also work hard at caring for myself as well."
Darby Faubion has been a Nurse and Allied Health Educator for over 20 years. She has clinical experience in several specialty areas, including pediatrics, medical-surgical, critical care, and hospice.
Being a healthcare provider is a great responsibility. Unfortunately, because of the great responsibility, many providers do report experiencing the need to take a break. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of handling stress and that you know when to ask for help.
Darby Faubion has been a Nurse and Allied Health Educator for over 20 years. She has clinical experience in several specialty areas, including pediatrics, medical-surgical, critical care, and hospice.
"I understand how some healthcare providers can experience burn out. It has nothing to do with wanting to change professions or leave a job. Sometimes it's just hard to lose patients or to feel like we can't save them all. I try to schedule myself some personal time, whether its a few days away when I am off work or going hiking. Anything to help create some balance in my life."
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Anonymous Answer
I have a daily meditation practice and I journal. I keep myself physically fit, which also serves well as an anxiety/stress reliever. I also see a therapist regularly.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your stress management techniques all sound very good. I like that you show some vulnerability by discussing therapy. Therapy is an underutilized resource to help maintain the best mental health.
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