Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

lilibug,
All you have to be is yourself. You dont have to feel as if you need to smile continuously, but keep a pleasant look on your face. It's okay to be a little nervous-that's natural. Just lay your hands in your lap and try not to twist and wring your fingers. Take a moment to think about your answers before you reply. Simply be congenial and natural. They won't expect you to be able to answer questions about the care of a NICU baby. That's what orientations are for. Definitely let them know that you sincerely want to be a NICU nurse, and if it's been your goal 'forever', tell them so. They want nurses who will love the unit enough to stay, because the orientation is expensive. Light jewelry only. (most NICU's dont allow jewelry or acrylic nails. It's an infection control issue)

Ask a few good questions: For example:

1. How is the staff kept informed of changes and updates?
2. What type of ongoing credentialing will I be doing? Do you have a yearly "skills lab" that your nurses attend?
3. I wear regular scrubs. What do you allow in the way of uniforms?
4. I will want to attend some workshops and seminars. is there a reimbursement program in place?

(That sort of thing!)


I know that you will get that job!!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Well, I'm off for my interview in a couple hours! Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions, especially questions to ask. I've written some down to take with me!
I'm so excited!!!! I'll let you know how it goes!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Well Lilibug.....

I am awaiting to hear how it went - I do hope you get the job and that it went well! You sound just so excited and that you would be a perfect fit in the NICU.

Although I dont work NICU ( I work PedS) we need more exciting and enthusiatic nurses such as yourself!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Well, I had my interview two days ago.... I think it went very well! I was there for 2 hours! We talked for a long time, she told me all about the unit, the shifts, etc. She also spent some time showing me around the unit, telling me about the machines and about some of the conditions of the babies. They were so cute...and small!!

She wants me to come and shadow for a few hours sometime in the next couple of weeks. She told me she doesn't ask everyone to come back in to shadow, especially if she knows they won't be a good fit for the unit. So, I probably won't have any news for another month. I REALLY REALLY want this job and I'm pretty sure that came across during the interview.

Thanks for the support everyone!! I will keep ya posted.

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Lilbug, I think you got your enthusiasm across or she wouldn't have spent two hours with you!! And she did ask you to shadow. Sending you good thoughts and I think you'll have good news for us in the future.

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Well, I got the long-awaited email about coming back to shadow for a day. A week from this Saturday, I will be going back to the NICU to shadow one of the nurses. She said I have to stay for 2 hours but am welcome to stay longer. I told her I want to stay as long as possible so she said I can stay through the preceptor's shift which means I will be there for about 5 1/2 hours. I not only want to show enthusiasm but want to get as much from this experience as possible. I'm hoping I will learn a lot that day!

I don't know how long I will have to wait after my shadowing experience to find out if I get the job or not. Think good thoughts for me! I'll keep you all posted!!!!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

How exciting!! Best of luck!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Good luck lilbug! I'll probably be in your shoes in a couple of months - I'm eager to hear the verdict too!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Today I just got a call from another hospital to interview for a NICU position!!!! It's a much smaller unit from the first hospital I interviewed at (and will have my 2nd interview/shadowing this Sat. too!). I'm excited that I will have another interview at another hospital and that I might have two job offers. I really want to get hired on at this first hospital...it does have one of the top NICUs in the country! I'm trying to keep my options open in case the first one falls through and I don't get a job offer. I am so happy I made the choice to go back to school and go into nursing! Each day is getting better and better!

Thanks for everyone's support!! I will keep everyone posted!

Re: My 1st NICU interview!!!!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you get the one you like the most! I got my first job offer today (and accepted of course LOL!) and am super excited!!!!!!!!!!!!! I start in September!