[VizslaMom]

Hello there, fellow ICU nurses.
I have the opportunity to sit in on New Grad interviews with our unit's management. I've not ever interviewed before and am curious what you all would ask a New Grad who is interested in starting in the ICU immediately after graduation.

I work in a Level II Trauma Center, 20-bed ICU. We take anything and everything. The only thing we don't do is open heart.

Thanks in advance for any input you all have for me.

[love-d-OR]

Im assuming you want some pointers on what to ask, right? I will be graduating in June, and recently interviewed with a SICU and neuro ICU manager. Some of the questions I was asked where:

1. Why did you choose to be a nurse
2. Why the ICU
3. What do you think will be the greatest challenge as a new grad
4. Have you worked as a CNA
5. Have you done an ICU preceptorship
6. What do you know about the type of patients in this unit
7. What kind of skill do you think would be must essential to an ICU nurse
8. How would patients describe you

[cloister]

I can think of a few questions, having precepted my fair share of new grads in the SICU.......

Why do you want to work in ICU?

What was your clinical experience in nursing school? Did you do an externship?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Are you ok with working nights, weekends, and holidays?

Do you enjoy taking care of people?

Describe your worst experience in nursing school.

How do you respond to criticism?

Dunno if this would prove helpful or not, but it might raise a red flag or two on someone who might not be a good fit.

Good luck!

[2bestrong]

Vizsla:
I ironically am a Sr Staff recruiting liaison for our Level 1 trauma ICU.
All the above questions are awesome.
The question you should ask yourself is what do you want to know about this candidate that the piece of paper(resume) can't tell you.
We look at personality qualities, as well as behavioral and interdisciplinary qualities of an individual.
A lot of interviews aren't necessarily about what the candidate can offer you, but maybe what your needs are and can you get what you need from the candidate?
Best of luck.