Coronary ICU interview!

[elmoRN]

I have been an RN on an ortho unit for a year now, and I just got called for an interview on a coronary ICU. I loved cardiac as a nursing student, and I really think I will enjoy the area, but I am really nervous about the thought of the ICU. I really think I can do it, but I am afraid I don't know nearly enough! How hard is it starting out? Even though I have a years experience, it is so unrelated, so if I get this job, I feel like I will be a brand new nurse all over again. Any tips for the interview, and any tips on how to prepare for the job if I get it? I have already signed up for ACLS on my current unit, so I know that will help, and I also have my TNCC. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[echoRNC711, BSN]

Yes,it will be like starting again in many ways and yes it is scarey. when I started in CVRU I had the runs pretty much daily worrying that I might do something to potentially kill a pt. Critical care thinking is different and you will grow into it. I was an RN about 3 yrs prior to ICU and it took at least 6mths to get a sense of what to do and a yr to become good at it. Be patient. Ask questions.It is exciting and worthwhile. Good luck.