Help with a Cardiovascular Care Unit interview

[panpan]

Is there anything specific I need to know for a CCU position? I've been searching for a job as a new grad for almost a year, and finally got my break today when I received a phone call. To me, it was a miracle. I feel soo blessed with tears of joy. I've worked hard... i was persistent, so I hope somebody or hiring managers can give me specific pointers on interviews in ICU. I am sure it's a bit different than med/surg interviews.. SO anything is appreciated.. Thank you all so much!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Congratulations and good luck.

Be ready for a behavioral interview. This are difficult as a new grad.

Those .."tell.. me about a time you ... " questions are tough.

Prepare for them by knowing the hospital's standing orders for the ICU and reheorifice scenarios.

Recall situations you witnessed in school and what you took away from it.

Do you have your ACLS certification? If not ...be working on it before the interview.

Know your cardiac drips.. inside and out.

Just for kicks... can you tell me seven causes of pulmonary edema?

[panpan]

Thanks for the response, ah a behavioral interview .. thank you so much for the heads up. And I just recently got my ACLS certification in April because I figured it could help so why not. I feel like this could be one of my advantage. My interview is this wednesday, so i need to start preparing now.

Cardiac drips? I definitely need a refresher on that. Seven causes of PE? Off the bat, I could only think of a few CAD, valve problems, ARDS, lung infection....

So i am assuming they will be asking a lot of cardiac related questions?

This is going to drive me crazy because I am going to break out my textbooks.

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

Hi! I am a December 2011 grad that landed a job on a Cardiac Progressive Care Unit. I think it is important to review the facilities core values prior to your interview. This way when they ask you behavioral questions ( such as how you resolved a conflict with a coworker etc) you can assure that you demonstrate a resolution that utilizes their values. As a new grad, I am not sure that they expect you to know everything about cardiac drips etc, but rather that you are very interested in learning. I think that you should emphasize your ACLS certification as an expression of your desire for continued education. Just my . Good Luck to you!

[panpan]

Thanks Kylee, I find that very helpful! Thank you so much for the advice!