Tell me about a time in the Emergency Department when you had to make a critical decision under pressure.

Specialty-Specific

Purpose

Interviewers want to see how you handle high-stakes situations in the ED. They’re looking for your ability to make quick, effective decisions when it really counts.

Tips

  • Use the STAR-L method: Share a specific Situation, your Task, the Actions you took, the Result, and what you Learned.
  • Make sure your example is from the ED and involves a real emergency to show you understand the environment.
  • Highlight your role and the specific decisions you made, focusing on how you prioritized and communicated with your team.

Common mistakes

  • Don’t pick a scenario that isn’t from the ED; it won’t show your relevant experience.
  • Avoid talking about trivial decisions; make sure your example is genuinely critical.
  • Don’t just describe what others did; focus on your own actions and decision-making process.