Medsurg nurse interviewing for CICU

Specialties CCU

Published

Hi!

Looking for interview advice. I've been medsurg/tele nurse for going on 3 years and finally landed a cardiac ICU interview.

I have experience with... day 3-4 postop hearts, ppm/defib programming, stress tests, recovering cath lab pts, taking 5-6 medsurg/tele pts, charge nurse.

I've always been interested in ICU. I'm fascinated by managing drips, hemodynamics, invasive monitoring, etc. I never had an opportunity to get into ICU as I was always told I needed more experience. Now I finally have some under my belt!

Medsurg is crazy insane busy but I don't enjoy how task oriented it is. I like being charge and situations where I can really use my nursing knowledge, not just pass meds.

Any tips on how I can word my experience and convert it to useful in ICU setting?

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

You have passion and a great foundation to become a strong ICU nurse. Just be yourself and ask for at least 4 months of preceptorship and an ICU course through your local collaborative or ECCO if you live in a rural area. You can put either one on your resume.

I am sure they are going to ask you about difficult situations you have been in and how you handeled it. I would tell them exactly what type of patients you have been having and your case load. Make sure you let them know your charge experience and teamwork. Attention to detail.

Hope this hels some

Thank you. I'll get thoughts together on sticky rapid responses etc I've been involved in.

I got the job!!!! Time to break out my critical care books from school, so glad I saved them!!! Can't wait to learn!!!

Congratulations. How did the interview go. What type of questions did they ask you

Specializes in ICU.

Congratulations. I went the other route ... started in a CVICU and moved to step down. Like you said, crazy busy but now I'm not worrying about someone crashing every day and if they do begin to go sour, it's not up to me to fix 'em. Did that for > 10 years. Nice sending people HOME for a change. You'll do fine. Good luck! :)

Asked me about experience, why I want to do ICU, why cardiology, how do I handle crouchy doctors, strengths/weaknesses. I felt I was a good fit for the unit.

Start date pushed out as they are limited on preceptors but that gives me time to study.

I have a huge wish list for books saved and looking into joining AACN when I have the money!

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