Help with CVIC interview

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Attn night shift+sahm and cardiac nurses:

I had a CVIC call to ask me to come in for an interview next week! So excited! I have a lot of things going against me- I've been out for a year with my babies, my only work experience so far has been in the OR, and I have an Associates Degree (I plan to pursue BSN but hoping to get employed first bc a lot of hospitals here help with tuition). Haven't done medsurg/tele/floor nursing in like 3.5 years (since I was in school). It's for a night supplemental position. So a few questions:

How doable is it to work all night, then come home, and deal with a toddler and 6mo? Obvi it wouldn't be easy, but we could stay at home and I could nap when they nap- if it's just one or two nights a week, is this sustainable?

What things should I ask for a cardiac intermediate unit interview?

Where would I even start to review stuff about cardiac?! obvi ecg interpretation, lead placement, basic cardiac meds and interventions... Should I go back over school notes or is there some amazing website or book out there to refresh me?

I want to impress the **** out of these people, y'all. I know I have what it takes to change hats and be a good cardiac/floor nurse, but I'm trying to figure out how to best convey that to my interviewers on Tuesday.

Thanks in advance! And wish me luck :-)

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I've seen numerous educational websites that purport to teach EKG interpretation in "small bites." Try googling those. That would be a good start.

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Thanks a lot! That'll be my homework after the kids go down tonight :-)

[Pamiesue22]

Brush up on Basic dysrhythmias, common cardiac drips, knowing your antihypertensives, and antiarrhythmic meds. What would you do if your patient had chest pain? (Always an interview question) Definitely ACLS helps a lot if you are not already certified.

As far as working nightshift, it's rough on your body, but completely doable if its only a couple nights a week.

SkillSTAT - Emergency Medical Skills

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The facility is aware you have no cardiac experience. They are willing to train the right candidate. I think you would impress the **** out them by admitting the obvious.

Working nights, and coming home to care for 2 young children is NOT doable. You would need a sitter to care for the children while you rest enough to resume full responsibility for your children.

I DO wish you the best of luck... don't bite of more that you can chew.

[trauma_lama, BSN]

The facility is aware you have no cardiac experience. They are willing to train the right candidate. I think you would impress the **** out them by admitting the obvious.

Working nights, and coming home to care for 2 young children is NOT doable. You would need a sitter to care for the children while you rest enough to resume full responsibility for your children.

I DO wish you the best of luck... don't bite of more that you can chew.

that is def something I'm afraid of- biting off more than I can chew. I think you're right... Maybe if I could get someone to come hang with the kids 8a-noon, I could sleep, then get up to relieve them, give kids lunch, then nap some more when they nap...? Hmmmm...

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Brush up on Basic dysrhythmias, common cardiac drips, knowing your antihypertensives, and antiarrhythmic meds. What would you do if your patient had chest pain? (Always an interview question) Definitely ACLS helps a lot if you are not already certified.

As far as working nightshift, it's rough on your body, but completely doable if its only a couple nights a week.

SkillSTAT - Emergency Medical Skills

Thanks a lot- this is GREAT stuff to think about. I will be ready when they ask! Ok now to read up on my notes...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

that is def something I'm afraid of- biting off more than I can chew. I think you're right... Maybe if I could get someone to come hang with the kids 8a-noon, I could sleep, then get up to relieve them, give kids lunch, then nap some more when they nap...? Hmmmm...

That sounds like a recipe for making yourself miserable and/or crazy. When you're working night shift, you need to sleep during the day. You need to get a good, solid 6-9 hours -- however much sleep YOUR body demands. Napping when your kids nap is a pipe dream -- they won't nap so you won't nap. You've got ten million things to do, and figure you'll get one or two of them done as soon as the kids go down for their nap, but you never get a chance for your nap. You cannot survive long term on naps. You need to actually get some solid sleep. It's better for your patients, for your family and for YOU.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

That sounds like a recipe for making yourself miserable and/or crazy. When you're working night shift, you need to sleep during the day. You need to get a good, solid 6-9 hours -- however much sleep YOUR body demands. Napping when your kids nap is a pipe dream -- they won't nap so you won't nap. You've got ten million things to do, and figure you'll get one or two of them done as soon as the kids go down for their nap, but you never get a chance for your nap. You cannot survive long term on naps. You need to actually get some solid sleep. It's better for your patients, for your family and for YOU.

OP, as a mother of a 5 year old child I cannot agree more with this post. I don't know what your home situation is, but is there someone who could be off on the days when you need to sleep during the day so that you can get the required amount of sleep to function safely? Maybe a grandparent or a spouse? Or possibly the hospital has a need for two days of weekend staff where finding a family member who may be able to do this may be more likely?

I'm just throwing some things out there. I know when my daughter was born she was a night owl for the first several months. I was a zombie. I took care of her during her wakeful time at night and then when she would fall asleep (which was never for very long at a time) I would try to sleep and I was rarely able to do so. I survived because she eventually started walking and transitioned to days as all children do (there are no midnight kindergarten classrooms), but if I had to do it indefinitely I would have gone insane. Short term it may work but in the end it'll wear out your body. I do hope that something can be worked out for you. Good luck with your interview.:)

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Ok so I've been brushing up on stuff- obviously they know I've been out of floor/ not fresh on cardio in a while, but the possibility that they could ask me what I would do if my or reported chest pain got me thinking and looking through my notes... Here's what I'm thinking, and hall tell me how far off I am?

I would assess the quality/severity/circumstances/onset/etc around the pain while obtaining vitals. I would check the mar (in-room charting at this facility) for standing med orders (unless there is some protocol for chest pain on the floor already). I would stay with patient and alert charge nurse, maybe ask her to bring nitro or aspirin or whatever standing order med/protocol was called for, then I would call attending or cardiologist on call. How far off is that?

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Take the patients vital signs, assess physically, while implementing treatment protocols, is there oxygen setup to administer etc...

[trauma_lama, BSN]

Take the patients vital signs, assess physically, while implementing treatment protocols, is there oxygen setup to administer etc...

oh yeah duuuuuhhhh silly little thing called oxygen. Thanks!