[garciadiego]

I posted previously, maybe a month ago, "Old timer wants to grow"-and got wonderful feed back and support..
Where I work now, mostly LTC, I spoke with nurses who now work with me in LTC who previously worked med. surg. at the only hospital in our area, the same hospital that I am interested in applying for a job, perhaps med surg, and these nurses I spoke with said the hospital would never even call me for an interview, d/t my lack of experience in med. surg. Well the Hospital has called me for an interview, I was surprised and I am excited....Anyway my question to you all is....What can I do to prepare for this interview? and secondly....what areas of Med. Surg. nursing would you advise me to study?to review? to brush up on? what diseases? pathophysiology? procedures? etc. that would help me prepare in case I actually got the job.
Thank you

[llg]

As far as the interview goes ... I think you should practice highlighting your strengths as you acknowledge your weaknesses. I usually do that by highlighting my strengths and expressing my weaknesses as learning needs that I am prepared to meet. For example, you might structure your statements along the lines of ...

"I realize that I will need an orientation that will refresh my ____ skills and I'm looking forward to that. It will be rewarding for me to combine those skills with the ____ skills I have mastered in my ___ years of LTC experience."

A statement such as the one I wrote above acknowledges that you have learning needs and points out that you may have special orientation needs ... but it does so in a way that sounds positive (not negative) and reminds the interviewer that a little investment in your med/surg skills will result in a big payoff for them as you combine those new skills with your many talents perfected in LTC. In other words, "You'll be worth the investment."

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[garciadiego]

llg
Thank you for your excellent interview insights...this will help me greatly.
Any advice regarding what to concerntrate on when reviewing Med Surg knowledge? diseases, patho, etc

[garciadiego]

I actually got an interview yesterday for a Med. Surg floor.
I think a scored on some strengths-longevity within the state system, I would be transfering from LTC to Med. Surg floor within the state. They have geriatrics on the floor so that was a plus for me. No clinical questions were asked. I did well I think on interpersonal questions, like what do you do if you have a problem with another staff?
I was weak in terms of my experience, which is why I probably won't get the job.
Also they asked me if I could work shifts, I told them I had been on days for many years, I prefer days, I would have to ask my family if I had to change shifts and I would not want to do that on a permanent basis, permanently not work days. My feeling is that was not to thrilling for the interviewers.
I will wait for the decision-I will not get my hopes up, that way I will advoid disappointment. Work is not everything, and if I dont get the job I should be greatful I have a job.
Peace Out.

[garciadiego]

I finished the interview, it went OK, I answered 2/3 of the questions strong and I actually think I am going to be hired on this Med.Surg floor, I have a friend who knows the nurse manager.
Now I am so freakin NERVOUS! I didn't really think I would get the job. Now I am going from LTC to Med. Surg- that is why I am nervous.
Any tips how I can prepare for med surg?

[garciadiego]

I don't know why anyone would follow my thread but I'm posting anyway.
I can't believe it but I GOT THE MED. SURG. POSTION!
After working LTC for over 10 years they hired me. I was out in front during the interview when I said I had no med. surg. experience, but they said they will orient and train until "I feel comfortable"
Any way now I am freakin nervous.
Any one with ideas how I can prepare for Med. Surg?
Peace out.

[crossbow]

Originally Posted by garciadiego

I don't know why anyone would follow my thread but I'm posting anyway.
I can't believe it but I GOT THE MED. SURG. POSTION!
After working LTC for over 10 years they hired me. I was out in front during the interview when I said I had no med. surg. experience, but they said they will orient and train until "I feel comfortable"
Any way now I am freakin nervous.
Any one with ideas how I can prepare for Med. Surg?
Peace out.

Go with the grind. Be quiet and learn.
hospital policies, unit policies and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Acuity
LTC may have so many patients but med-surg has an increasing acuity that ebbs and flows on a drop of a hat. Do not be alarmed because you are not alone.

Admissions
I work on a med-surg/telemetry unit that has on many occasions reached 10 admissions on a shift.

(learn to admit correctly and swiftly.)

Documentation
In a very busy unit, a lot of things slip through. Whatever happens
do not forget to to document (using hospital's correct procedure)

[garciadiego]

crossbow
Thanks for responding and for the down to earth advice.
People at work ask me why I want to work in med. surg after being in LTC for so long. My reasons, which I sometimes share, is that I feel like I am becoming a medication aid, that is basically what I do the majority of the time, is pass meds.
Because a skilled unit opened up on another floor I dont get a chance anymore to start IVs, give IV meds, deal with skilled nursing situations or even place NG tubes.
This will be a big change for me, and my family, so thanks for your input.

[underpaidrn]

Congratulations garciadiego! Way to go! Hope this position is everything that you want it to be. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your first day!

[crossbow]

Originally Posted by garciadiego

crossbow
Thanks for responding and for the down to earth advice.
People at work ask me why I want to work in med. surg after being in LTC for so long. My reasons, which I sometimes share, is that I feel like I am becoming a medication aid, that is basically what I do the majority of the time, is pass meds.
Because a skilled unit opened up on another floor I dont get a chance anymore to start IVs, give IV meds, deal with skilled nursing situations or even place NG tubes.
This will be a big change for me, and my family, so thanks for your input.

There will be times that you might feel like that this specialty may not be right for you, BUT HANG in THERE! Remember!! You only need do this for 12 hours and then you get to go home. Sometimes I've had three transfusions started and running at the same time, sometimes a patient goes bad at the end of the shift. STAY THE COURSE!!

Things will come and go at a dizzy pace, take a breather and FOCUS!

good luck!!!

LMK how it went and if you need anything just PM me.