CCU/CICU Interview Prep

[Dakkon76]

Hi there, I'm on my last semester and waiting for a call back for a CICU interview at our local hospital. They do heart transplants among other things.

A student I talked to has already interviewed there and I guess she got some tough questions. She was asked a question about Digoxin, but she didn't remember what the question was. She was also asked a few more technical questions but she couldn't remember what - mainly because she isn't even interested in cardiac and she just applied for every job she could (she didn't even know what CICU stood for???) ... anyway, I digress... I'm just a little frustrated waiting for my callback ... so I'm calling them in the morning.

Anyway........ I was wondering what I should brush up on to be strong in the interview. Which meds are used most in CCU/CICU? I think she was asked about complications of a thoracentesis, which isn't a tough one since we've studied it. I've also had exposure to Swans (enough to know what they're used for and how they're used I think). What else should I know before walking into an interview?

Thanks a lot for any help, I really appreciate it!

/dak

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

I'm so sorry that you didn't get the job. Maybe once she starts, she'll realize what it's about & transfer to Med/Surg.

I just applied for a CCU position in my hospital. Can you tell me what they asked you on your interview.

I only have 2 years experience (1 1/2 in Cardio), so I'm not sure if I they will even give me an interview.

Thanks for your help.

[healingtouchRN]

give you an interview? Are ya kidding me? Go for it! I came out of my BSN program with a job in CCU since I precepted there in school. Spent the better part of my career in CCU. I loved it. You have plenty of experience. Just keep the open mind & heart to learn daily & confidence to jump in because you will work so very hard. The key is to work smarter not harder.

I'll cross my fingers for you! :balloons:

I'm so sorry that you didn't get the job. Maybe once she starts, she'll realize what it's about & transfer to Med/Surg.

I just applied for a CCU position in my hospital. Can you tell me what they asked you on your interview.

I only have 2 years experience (1 1/2 in Cardio), so I'm not sure if I they will even give me an interview.

Thanks for your help.

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

You have plenty of experience. Just keep the open mind & heart to learn daily & confidence to jump in because you will work so very hard. The key is to work smarter not harder.

I'll cross my fingers for you! :balloons:

I'm concerned about the clinical questions they will ask me.

When I told my manager that I was considering the CCU, she tried to discourage me by asking me several extremely difficult & some ridiculous questions. When I didn't know the answers, she told me that I need to be able to look at my patient's charts in 5 min, at the beginning of my shift, & know what's going on, why & what needs to be done to correct the problem. I should know all this in 5 min of seeing a patient's chart for the first time & not even seeing the patient yet.

I learned a lot on this floor, but I'm still learning every day.

My manager told me that I will get "grilled" by the manager & ccu nurses in the interview. I'm trying not to let her discourage me, but it did scare me a little. My co-worker who went to CCU a few months ago told me that it sounds like my manager just doesn't want to lose me.

Any questions you could think of or topics I should brush up on, would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[healingtouchRN]

sounds like your manager doesn't not want you to have that job, she sounds worried that you will leave.

Fear not. I've been to many interviews; worked in 4 different CCU's in 2 states. I also taught critical care for a large university in the CCU & other ICU's at my local hospital. I was never grilled. I was asked questions about my clinical experience. I answered clinical questions pertaining to hemodynamics, cardio-vascular medications, care of arterial sheaths, IABPs, PA catheters, vented patients... Now granted you are coming from a floor so you couldn't answer questions on critical care since you've not been through a critical course (have you?). This is why they will put you through a good orientation with a good mentor to help you learn. When I came out of my generic BSN in '89, I too didn't know the answers, but being that I had spent 3 months in the dept before I graduated, I was learning the medications. Back then it was Heparin, Dopamine, Tridil, Dobutamine, etc. Pick a good critical care book. Check the threads in this specialty for reference suggestions as I have placed some on the thread as I recall. Get a CCU pocket guide from your local book store for

Now you'll need to brush up on the above meds plus Lovenox, t-PA, the statins, B-blockers, ACE-Inhibitors. Don't sweat this. If the job doesn't work out, you've only made yourself more valuable as a team member. Plus, find a cardiologist or CRNP that you trust & tell them of your interest. That can only help you. I still have cardiologists that are my colleagues whom are annoyed that I am now working in the PACU. They want me back in the CCU.

You have plenty of experience. Just keep the open mind & heart to learn daily & confidence to jump in because you will work so very hard. The key is to work smarter not harder. Also, make friends in the CCU. Tell them if they are doing something interesting that you might like to see to give you a yell. I've gone to other dept's & observed new procedures. We are there to learn & assist.

Once again I'll cross my fingers, say a prayer & hope good fortune finds it's way to you. :monkeydance:

I'll cross my fingers for you! :balloons:

I'm concerned about the clinical questions they will ask me.

When I told my manager that I was considering the CCU, she tried to discourage me by asking me several extremely difficult & some ridiculous questions. When I didn't know the answers, she told me that I need to be able to look at my patient's charts in 5 min, at the beginning of my shift, & know what's going on, why & what needs to be done to correct the problem. I should know all this in 5 min of seeing a patient's chart for the first time & not even seeing the patient yet.

I learned a lot on this floor, but I'm still learning every day.

My manager told me that I will get "grilled" by the manager & ccu nurses in the interview. I'm trying not to let her discourage me, but it did scare me a little. My co-worker who went to CCU a few months ago told me that it sounds like my manager just doesn't want to lose me.

Any questions you could think of or topics I should brush up on, would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

Pick a good critical care book. Check the threads in this specialty for reference suggestions as I have placed some on the thread as I recall. Get a CCU pocket guide from your local book store for

Thank you very much. My co-worker that went to CCU 6 months ago told me the same thing, that my manager doesn't want to lose me. It's a good feeling, but I really want to go.

A couple of weeks ago, I search this site for Critical Care books. I was going to buy one of the CCRN review books. I'll check the site again to find the books that you suggested. I already have a pocket guide.

Thank you again.

[healingtouchRN]

The CCRN review is good but can be combersome. Mosby's has a good one too!

I still have mine & refer to it often. I also bought myself a Peri- Post anesthesia review guide (like $100!) but everyone in my dept uses it. I leave it in the mgr office all the time. They were all thankful for it. It's a tax write off ya know!

Well spent funds!

Pick a good critical care book. Check the threads in this specialty for reference suggestions as I have placed some on the thread as I recall. Get a CCU pocket guide from your local book store for

Thank you very much. My co-worker that went to CCU 6 months ago told me the same thing, that my manager doesn't want to lose me. It's a good feeling, but I really want to go.

A couple of weeks ago, I search this site for Critical Care books. I was going to buy one of the CCRN review books. I'll check the site again to find the books that you suggested. I already have a pocket guide.

Thank you again.

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

The CCRN review is good but can be combersome. Mosby's has a good one too!

I still have mine & refer to it often. I also bought myself a Peri- Post anesthesia review guide (like $100!) but everyone in my dept uses it. I leave it in the mgr office all the time. They were all thankful for it. It's a tax write off ya know!

Well spent funds!

Peri-Post Anesthesia?? I tried to find this one on line but only found a couple for about $25, obviously not the same one you have.

What do you think about the Kathy White book?

I was also thinking about getting the "Critical Care Exam Review" by Laura Gasparis Vonfronlio.

[healingtouchRN]

haven't read the White text but have several of Laura's books. Have met her many times & attended numerous conferences that she has held. She is to retire soon so catch one if you can. She is a celebrated speaker & author on many subjects in critical. Not to mention her sense of humor. She gets satanding ovations & makes one proud of nursing as a career choice! Check her website at GreatNurses.com I think for more info on conferences for CE's. :balloons: You will not regret one moment of learning from a master.

The Core Curriculum I believe is Mosby's but I'll look when I get back to work. On vacation writing research now...

Peri-Post Anesthesia?? I tried to find this one on line but only found a couple for about $25, obviously not the same one you have.

What do you think about the Kathy White book?

I was also thinking about getting the "Critical Care Exam Review" by Laura Gasparis Vonfronlio.

[ItalianRN, BSN, RN]

The Core Curriculum I believe is Mosby's but I'll look when I get back to work. On vacation writing research now...

Thank you very much. I haven't been online lately. I just saw your post. Hope your research is going well.

[healingtouchRN]

Hi ItalianRN,

the core curriculum on peri/post anesthesia is published by Saunders.

Still working on the research. Due in Sept. Thanks for the boost in confidence! :balloons: