Interviewing for ICU position...

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2008

Wow. You're preparing early for a job! Are you applying for their scholarship program? If you are, you could apply now and secure yourself a job for January. A couple of girls from my class applied and were accepted... hate to say it, but if they got in... yikes... I fear for their coworkers. One wasn't too bad, however, the other one is fairly odd and doesn't understand the meaning of a two-way conversation. How she "passed" the interview is beyond me. Heh. I wonder how she's doing now?

Sorry... I digress... ICU questions could be part of a standardized set of "Tell me about a time when you... " that Emory has/had when I applied back in the day. Or you might just get your basic "So tell me about yourself".

Since you have a year to prepare, go to the library or bookstore and check out books on job interviews, resumes, thank you letters, follow-ups, the works. Be ready to ask questions of the interviewers as well. And do your research on Piedmont. They'll want to know why you chose them. Get a little background information/history on them. Doesn't hurt to stand out from the rest of the applicants by probing them with questions that others haven't thought of.

Best of luck to you! :up:

luvleee · Mar 10, 2008

I'm currently a Piedmont Scholar and a Piedmont employee on the Ortho Unit.

Critical Care is my passion though.

& I do know how to have a "two-way" conversation ^^

I'm big on technology, I pick it up very quickly as I come from a family of Engineerers... I chose humanities because I'm human. My other family members are robots... The environment helped me build character, I think (haha - I love my family!)

I am very attached to order and knowing where everything is and how everything is at all times - in a sense, a control freak... so that I am able to expect the unexpected.

I hope ICU wants me as much as I want ICU.

luvleee · Mar 10, 2008

ACTUALLY! I am very interested in Neuro-ICU (I just noticed your job, yellow_finch).

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2008

I'm at Kennestone Hospital. If you're interested in Neuro ICU, let me know. I can talk to my manager when you get closer to graduation. :nurse:

towerofpower · Mar 13, 2008

I interviewed yesterday for Intermediate Care (cardiac step-down).

After being given a scenario of 4 patients I was asked how I would prioritize care. I was asked about my clinical experience. Had I had any heart patients? any ICU? insulin drip? what would I teach a patient on an insulin drip? how about a pt. going home with heparin? where do I see myself 5 years from now?

I got offered the position after the interview and accepted.

I'm sure you'll do great since you are so motivated to do well.

all the best!

luvleee · Mar 19, 2008

I'm at Kennestone Hospital. If you're interested in Neuro ICU, let me know. I can talk to my manager when you get closer to graduation.

Well, I am committed to Piedmont Hospital when I graduate, but thank you for the tips!

I suppose, according to the most recent response about interviewing - I need to know s/s of hypo/hyperglycemia very well, ABCs, major lab values (Hct, Hgb, 'lytes), safety, etc...

Am I on the right track? Ack! I have until December, but I still feel like there's so much more I need to learn before they throw me into the mix... Is knowing "the basics" enough ???

I suppose we all have to start somewhere...

towerofpower · Mar 19, 2008

relax...you're going to learn alot before December and you'll be prepared just in keeping up with your theory and clinicals.

luvleee · Mar 19, 2008

relax...you're going to learn alot before December and you'll be prepared just in keeping up with your theory and clinicals.

=D i'm not FREAKING OUT.... not really... i'm just... haha, i just hope i'm good enough!!! ^^

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2008

As a new grad, I would recommend showing an interest in learning new skills and willingness to improve in your critical care thinking.

Honestly, my first ICU job (right of nursing school) was less than difficult. All areas are short on nurses. If you show initiative and ability to learn you should do fine.

Believe me... I've precepted a few nurses who, despite many, many years of experience, are still unable to grasp the ICU concept. A fresh face is often appreciated.