Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

Originally Posted by anurseuk

I think it's a case of don't run before you can walk. There's nothing wrong with wanting to progress but your immediate goal should be to become a good and
competent ICU nurse x

And I guess that is what I am saying. This is exactly what I plan to do! Becoming a CRNA is a very long term goal of mine. My entire journey to this point has been a case of learning to run before I walk. I am a long way from my goal which may be unclear to most. I currently have an associates degree as a RN. Next year I plan to work on my BSN while working as a RN preferably in the ICU but I realize it may not go that way to start. I plan to work for a number of years in the ICU, I started working in 1997 as a CNA, and went to school part time (because of being single mother of 2). Tested out to become an LPN and continued RN education. I already have 6 years of experience in the field of nursing therefore, I feel like I am definitely an example of someone who is learning to crawl before walking! There is nothing wrong with knowing what you want and taking well thought out and deliberate steps to make the path that is best for you. I think this is what I have done and will continue to do. I just think it's a shame that there is a stigma attached to it. That is all I am saying, just my .

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

You're taking this too personally. Nobody said that there was anything wrong with becoming a CRNA. Nobody.

We just don't want to hear about it during an interview. Can you tell the difference?

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

Originally Posted by cardiacRN2006

You're taking this too personally. Nobody said that there was anything wrong with becoming a CRNA. Nobody.

We just don't want to hear about it during an interview. Can you tell the difference?

I might be taking it a little personally. But I have run into this in other places than posts. Sorry if it seems like I am overreacting....lol. I just feel like if there was no stigma attached you should be able to be open and honest about it, in a interview (which I agree you shouldn't do) and/or on the floor. I can easily tell the difference I just think you SHOULD be able to be honest about it. I get that the nurses may at times feel used or like someone is just there for the requirement, but for me doesn't change the fact that I WANT to be there and give the best care possible. Does that make sense?

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

The stigma comes from the nurses who have come to the ICU and left after 1 year of training.

So, it's not our fault that the stigma exists. I don't doubt that you'll be a good ICU nurse, and you seem to really want to do things right. Focus on those things during the interview.

But too many nurses have come, spent $$$ orientation money and time, training, etc, and then have left at the end of the year.

Soooo, that's why I say to not mention it during the interview.

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

I ditto that.... as an interviewer I do not want to hear a candidate say in a nutshell they were using my ICU as a stepping stone to the nursing career they really want. I would much rather put my preceptors' and my time, energy, and budget dollars to use on someone that was willing to make a valid contribution to our ICU and be part of our team, as we are making an investment into that new hire.

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

I can definately see the rationale in what everyone is saying. I recently had an ICU interview and debated how to answer the goal question. I knew my "in" person who referred me to the manager had possibly mentioned it so I decided to be honest, state that I felt like I someday I wanted to be a CRNA, but then reiterate that right now I wanted to focus on my RN-BSN schooling, and just pursue my career as a critical care nurse because I think it is something I will have a passion for. It worked, got the job, and will be the only new-grad to the unit. Maybe it was because the hospital is smaller and doesn't have many one-year RN to SRNA people. Also I'm a terrible liar and would have felt pretty uncomfortable omitting that from my answer and making up something else.

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

In my experience, nurses who are only doing it for their required CC experience don't work out well. It's good to have CRNA school as a goal, but take the ICU experience for what it is. The ones who are only viewing it as a bullet point on a checklist forget what it means to be a nurse and care for a person.

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

Good Luck & All the best lpn2crna1day . May you have all your hearts' desired fulfilled. May you in challenging circumstances regarding your path in nursing be blessed with the wisdom on how to respond

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

It certainly does seem like every other new grad that we come across expresses the desire to become a CRNA. I wonder when we'll get to the point that there will be a glut of them, too....

Re: ICU Interviews do's and oh no she did not's!!

i'm gonna be up for an interview. has anyone come across a "situational" interview question?? what other possible questions would come out on an ICU interview?

thanks in advance!