For all GN's starting in ICU or CCU, I have a question

chaxanmom · Aug 25, 2009

I have no idea but I'm looking forward to the answers! I have a MICU interview on Friday! I did two practicums at another ICU in the same hospital though so hopefully that helps! It's actually a requirement to have at least 120 ICU clinical hours before consideration at this hospital though. If they gave you an interview w/out experience then it's probably ok with them to not have it. Good luck!! :)

Guest321574 · Aug 25, 2009

Thanks for your reply :)

So, we are waiting, if anyone has any input?

I think I will post in the First Year in Nursing forum too...

chaxanmom · Aug 25, 2009

I did do a search a few days ago for threads about interviewing. I didn't find a lot specifically for new grads in ICU but there's a lot of general type questions that I thought were helpful. :)

Eiano · Aug 25, 2009

Hi all!!! I am a May 2009 graduate.

I've been on a few interviews so I've been asked the whole spectrum of questions. My first interview they asked the typical behavioral type questions, "What's been your most difficult assignment... Where do you see yourself in 5 years... biggest weakness... biggest strength." The middle interviews were similar with bits of conversation thrown into it. The last interview I went on was more conversational, in fact, she pretty much told me about the unit and what it was like... the rare 'sell-the-unit' type interview.

I would say try to do a google search on "behavioral interview questions", study all of them and practice all of them. This way you're prepared and don't have to worry about seeming unprepared or having to take long, awkward pauses while thinking.

Just remember you really have to sell yourself. Most people I've spoken to (myself included!) wanted to do critical care and wouldn't settle for anything else... so if you think about it, you're competing with tons of applicants for 1, or if you're lucky a few, spots. Now's not the time to be humble.

Good luck!!! I hope you get the job both of you! I know how hard it is these days for us.

Also: I didn't work in an ICU as an extern, however the job I applied to required that you did a practicum or rotation in an ICU which I did. Also, I worked as a tech on a med/surg unit, so that may have helped.

I'd talk about your L&D work though. It's different.

HeatherISU · Aug 26, 2009

I graduated in December, and started in the ICU 2 days after I walked commencement!

I just remember them being completely generalized questions.

What makes you want to be in ICU

Where do you see yourself in 5 years

Greatest weakness

What makes you a good nurse

I actually knew my interviewer, as I had done clinical there, worked in the same hospital (not in ICU though) and did my senior practicum there. I really remember her asking me "You know me. Why are you so nervous?" LOL. Because I really want this job!

The "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" threw me off. I think I said something about working in this unit, and considering my MSN.

To the first poster: I would mention how being an aide helped be familiar in a hospital setting, interacting with pt's, knowing the basics of direct patient care. A lot of people I graduated with ONLY had clinical experience...nothing outside!

To the other poster: I would def play up your somewhat familiarity with ICU equipment... that helps.

Good luck!

Guest321574 · Aug 26, 2009

Thanks for the replies :) I had the interview today, and it went well. The questions were very basic (Why did you become a nurse, why are you interested in the ICU, etc. how do you work in teams) And it was pretty relaxed, I hate those interviews where they are reading questions off the paper, and scribbling as you talk.