ER and Critical Care New Graduate Interview...HELP

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2010

I assume you are a new grad. Don't worry about what you don't know. Stress how you are a solid performer, eager to learn, and not afraid to ask questions or ask for help. The work flow in those two areas is incredibly different. They may try to find out what kind of a personality you have. ICU is great for detail oriented, and frankly anal retentive people with a dash of OCD (not to offend anyone, I work in ICU, but I think those nurses are the best). In the ER you need to be extremely flexible, fast on your feet, not a perfectionist (you often don't get to investigate everything you might wish for), and be able to see the big picture. If this is at the same hospital they might be aware of your other interview and decide for you where would be best for you. Just keep that in mind. Good luck!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 7, 2010

I received a call for an interview for both the ER and Critical Care units today.. this is my first interview and im not sure what is going to be asked of me or what i should prepare my self for besides knowing about the hospital, recent news etc..
God Bless

First off - CONGRATS on getting the interview(s)!

Expect to get a number of situational interview questions...stuff along the lines of:

- you're working as a triage nurse in our ED, and you've got the following 3 patients (described in rough detail) - which one do you send back to be treated first, and why?

- tell us about the sickest patients you saw during your clinicals...what did you learn from them?

- in what blood test results would you expect to see major deviations from "normal" for a pt in renal failure?

- do you work better as an individual, or in a team setting?

- how will you handle the situation where you are overloaded & can't get all your required tasks completed in time?

- why do you want to work in ED or ICU (have a good answer for each, not slamming the other department especially if yours is a "joint" interview)

- how would your classmates describe you? (this is a great question to see if you have the required level of self confidence/drive/initiative without coming across as a know-it-all megalomaniac)

You WILL get questions for which you don't know the answer. This is probably a deliberate act by the interview committee. Do not BS. If you don't know the answer, be honest & say that you are not certain, but give your thoughts anyway. Don't be afraid to say that you'd check with your charge nurse or coworkers in a challenging situation.

If there is any way you could fit in a shift (or even 3-4 hours) of "shadowing" in each department prior to the interview, DO THAT. Contact the nurse manager for each dept & ask to shadow a nurse. This will let you get a good feel for your potential coworkers, sense of teamwork, dept management (important...very important!), and the patient population served by each dept. This shows initiative on your part, and also gives you a chance to intelligently talk about the stuff you saw/learned during your shadowing time during your interview.

GOOD LUCK!

April, RN, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2010

If you do a search here, there are lots of previous threads with good info about interview questions and how to answer them that might help you. You are a new grad... they shouldn't expect you to be able to give detailed answers about specific diseases processes, at least I've never heard of new grads being asked questions like that around here. Be prepared to answer the generic interview questions like "why did you go into nursing?" - "how do you handle conflict?" - "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" - "why do you want to work in the ER/ICU?" - "what was your most difficult patient in clinicals? why? how did you handle the situation?" - "what are you strengths and weaknesses?"

Congrats on the interviews and good luck!

Lizzie21 · Oct 7, 2010

That's awesome you got interviews in those areas, especially as a new grad. I would just prepare for situational type questions.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 7, 2010

c

You are a new grad... they shouldn't expect you to be able to give detailed answers about specific diseases processes, at least I've never heard of new grads being asked questions like that around here.

The questions I threw out are typical of those given to candidates (experienced RNs and new grads) applying for my employer's Critical Care residency program. If the candidate knows the "correct" answers...fine. If not, it's all about how they present themselves & handle the difficult questions. Separate the wheat from the chaff.....

Flying ICU RN · Oct 7, 2010

Good for you!

Now it's a personal sell. Remember that, you're there to "sell" your candidacy to become the ICU nurse patients need in a complex health care system,..dazzle them!

Situational questions, yes perhaps. Don't look for the complex answer, the simple "gut feeling" answer, will likely be the right one. Core measures, ASA, Troponins, stroke protocols, etc.

Good Luck!

AKAnurse4 · Oct 8, 2010

thanks everyone for your advice i really appreciate it!!!

God Bless!!!!!