1st job interview-- need some advice!

Keely-FutureRN · Apr 26, 2005

Im a 2nd semester BSN nursing student and I FINALLY have a Nurse Aid job interview! Its on a "cardiac progressive" unit in a good sized hospital. Can anyone give me some tips? This will be my first NA job and I dont know what to expect. I dont even know what goes on on this unit! I really want this job and I want to know what Im talking about in the interview.

Hi! I used to work on the cardiac/telemetry floor as a nurse assistant and telemetry tech for a year. Here are some good questions I recommend:

What is the average CNA/patient ratio?

What is the acuity of the patients I will be caring for?

Will I be recieving additional on-the-job training?

(I was taught how to do chest tube dressing changes, PICC dressings, JP drain care, MFT care (changing the bags, recording input...) and also how to read telemetry.)

Am I going to be floating on other units occasionally?

What is the average nurse/patient ratio?

What is the average age group I will be working with?

Some more general tips are found in interview books. They have some great ones out there that tell you what to say (and NOT say) during an interview. Some things I suggest to think about and prepare for are:

Telling the interviewer a little about yourself (this does not include personal information-just work history, school, awards/recognition...)

Why you want to be a CNA (tell them your in nursing school :)),

positive/ negative traits about yourself that you can bring to the new job (make sure to always make your negative a positive. For example say that you are a perfectionist )

Why are you interested in becoming a nurse?

Describe a problem you had with a previous employer and how you solved it?

What were the best/worst parts of your previous jobs? (don't say things like "my boss was mean and bla bla...) Say something that leaves you looking good like that there wasen't anymore room for growth in your current position. You get the idea...:)

Don't ask about salary, benefits, time off etc. Also if they ask you about salary, I always say it's negotiable and I'm willing to work with them because I love my job and it's not really about the money. (It's true) Put it in your own words...

I hope this helps and good luck! You will do great!

Keely

kat29 · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks! That'll help a bit.

What types of clinical skills do the NA's usually do on this type of floor? All I know are the things Im being taught to do in my Nursing classes. I dont even know if these are things that Ill be expected to do as an NA. I guess Im afraid she will ask me in the interview if Ive ever performed a certain skill and Ill have no clue what she is talking about.

As far as the questions about ratios and patient acuity, Ill probably ask just to sound insightful, but jobs around here for unexperienced, uncertified students are hard to come by. Its a small town with 2 hospitals and 2 colleges. I think its the only place left without a nursing shortage!

Keely-FutureRN · Apr 27, 2005

Vitals (Blood Pressure, pulse, respirations, O2 sats, etc.)

Breakfast, lunch, dinner (Distribute all trays, help those who can't eat on their own, chart all diets)

Baths/Hygeine/Linen changes - (5-8 pts during the day? My unit was a 48 bed. 2 cna's at night)

Daily Weights (Sling weight, bed weight, standing scale..)

Blood Sugars (bid, q4, etc.)

Answering call lights

Being prepared for an accident or two (bathroom wise...)

I was trained to do those dressing changes I mentioned earlier but they were on the job training so I could become a patient care tech. The basics are what's taught and in the scope of practice for the cna and anything else they will teach you. Don't worry, they don't expect you to know everything. When I first started I was oriented to the floor for 2 weeks. I followed a current cna around the first day to just see what it's like, the next step I took 1/4 of the patient load, 1/2 , then I did it myself with the cna following me, etc. It's just basic care. Don't worry. I know you'll be able to handle it :)

Keely

Keely-FutureRN · Apr 27, 2005

oh, I also wanted to say that the job on the cardiac/telemetry floor was my first job in the health care field. It's not impossible. Just make sure to think through what you're going to say, take some deep breaths, be confident, and the interviewer will notice. :)

Keely

kat29 · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks so much. Ive already learned do most of those things plus more, so I feel a little more confident. Cant wait for my interview. Ill have a big happy post if I get the job!:)

Hrtnurse14 · Apr 28, 2005

Thanks so much. Ive already learned do most of those things plus more, so I feel a little more confident. Cant wait for my interview. Ill have a big happy post if I get the job!:)

Hi,

Before I became a nurse I also worked a large tele unit as a "tech" at a teaching hospital. In addiition to all those questions that were just given also see if you will be trained on the monitors and if you will be required to draw labs, do ecg's and dc iv's. I know at some hospitals as with the one I worked at, I was able to do a lot more because I was in nursing school. Good luck and take advantage of every opportunity you can get! :)

kat29 · Apr 29, 2005

I GOT IT!!!

I start next week. Thank you so much for your advice!:) :) :) :)

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 30, 2005

Wow, congratulations!! Hope it's everything you want it to be, and more! == D

Keely-FutureRN · Apr 30, 2005

Yay! I knew you could do it! Congratulations! :)

Keely