ER nursing interview

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Hello all! I've currently been working as an RN on a medsurg unit for 4 months; I graduated in June, passed my boards relatively quickly and accepted this job as it was the only one offered to me at the time. I am extremely unhappy there for a lot of reasons and have been looking for a way to get out, but assumed that I was too "new" for anyone and that's why I wasn't receiving calls back about any other job. The turnover on my current unit is extremely high, with 3 nurses leaving within a few weeks of each other just since I started. But, it's medsurg, and I think that's expected.

A friend of mine works for one of the biggest nonprofit hospitals in the area (and a big competitor of the hospital I work in) in their Emergency Room. A few weeks ago, she mentioned to me that they were hiring -- being that working in an ER is my absolute dream job, I immediately was interested. I completed my internship in an emergency room and before working as an RN, I worked as an aide in an ICU for 2 years... but I was still worried that my lack of real "nursing" experience was going to hurt me once again. A few weeks went by without me hearing anything, and I began to lose hope.

But today, that hospital's talent acquisition team called me today for an interview for their Emergency Room position next week. I am extremely nervous about what the interview will entail now that I have some RN experience under my belt... Especially because I'm pretty sure that my interview for the medsurg unit wasn't too pressing, as my manager will hire just about anyone because of the high turnover.

Does anyone have any tips for interviewing for an ER position?? I really want this job!!!!:nailbiting:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Is that what they call HR now....talent acquisition team? That makes me chuckle....

Any how...be confident and calm. Talk about your abilities to multitask calmly in a chaotic environment and what you have learned so far. Speak of your critical care background and of you preceptorship/internship in the ED and what you learned there....talk about a long term commitment to this position....watch your body language and have good eye contact.... you got this!

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Yes it is, at least it has been for both hospital systems, haha! And thank you!!! I hope it goes well!

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Dont fart.

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Specializes in ED.

Be honest about your lack of ER experience, but tie in the things you've done previously in the ICU that you will bring to the position. Dealing with critically ill patients and their grieving families, etc. Most of all, show them you are willing to learn!

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Not to chuckle at the Talent Acquisition Team title.

Nurses are indeed now viewed as talent. Brings us into the business world and beats being viewed as "the grunts".

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Congrats on the interview :)

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I've interviewed for 3 ED jobs and I'm 3 for 3!

Each of the interviews was different.

One of the interviews was the standard milquetoast "where do you see yourself in 5 years, what's your greatest weakness" junk

The other interview was one hour of being pelted with situational questions.

From the latter, I'd suggest you be clear about the kinds of things that are bona-fide emergencies and what to do about them.

Bone up on the basics of ACLS and the basic treatments... basic, basic, basic... meds like epi, adenosine, amiodarone, and atropine (which isn't acls anymore but still gets used in my facility on a regular basis)... electricity... cardioversion, pacing, and defibrillation.

Remember simple things like HIPAA and privacy... things which are really tough to maintain in an overcrowded ER

Remember that emergency transfusions are O neg or O pos (depending on your blood bank and the patient... dudes and older gals can get O pos...)

Get a handle on some quick assessment stuff... CAB, ABCDE, AVPU, GCS, SIMPLE

Realize that in critically ill patients, docs are typically more concerned with MAP than simple SBP.

And don' forget, "notify the donor network" is sometimes the right answer (GCS 5... GCS 8 and tubed)

Whatever you do, be cool as a cucumber... that's what ED is all about... being calm in the midst of chaos... don't let them rattle you and realize that one interview technique is precisely an attempt to rattle you to see how you respond.

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Gr8 advice music!

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Thank you everyone for the advice! The interview went well, I think. The manager asked me some situational questions as expected, and he seemed to nod his head in agreement of the answers I gave, or saying "perfect." Then, he put the paper and pencil down, and told me to interview him, asking him whatever I wanted. I asked questions regarding the turnover rate, nurse to patient ratio, scheduling, etc. He said that I had really good questions. It seemed to be going really well until he said "The only dilemma is that you have no ER experience -- how can we fix that?" to which I responded "Give me some! It's the only way I'll get it."

He proceeded to reassure me that he DOES hire people without ER experience, but he does have a few other interviews and that I would know yes/no in a few weeks. Finally, he showed me around the ER and some of the rooms before walking me out for the final handshake and he gave me his business card. I sent a thank-you email to the address listed on his card the following day.

Does this sound like it went well to you guys?? I hate the "waiting" period after an interview!!!

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Thank you everyone for the advice! The interview went well, I think. The manager asked me some situational questions as expected, and he seemed to nod his head in agreement of the answers I gave, or saying "perfect." Then, he put the paper and pencil down, and told me to interview him, asking him whatever I wanted. I asked questions regarding the turnover rate, nurse to patient ratio, scheduling, etc. He said that I had really good questions. It seemed to be going really well until he said "The only dilemma is that you have no ER experience -- how can we fix that?" to which I responded "Give me some! It's the only way I'll get it."

He proceeded to reassure me that he DOES hire people without ER experience, but he does have a few other interviews and that I would know yes/no in a few weeks. Finally, he showed me around the ER and some of the rooms before walking me out for the final handshake and he gave me his business card. I sent a thank-you email to the address listed on his card the following day.

Does this sound like it went well to you guys?? I hate the "waiting" period after an interview!!!

Good luck. I hope you get it

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I got the job! Thanks everyone.

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