ICU Interview Questions

ICURN3020 · Feb 24, 2015

I'm sure the hiring manager/HR intended for YOU to answer these questions. They are interviewing you, not any of us, so why would our goals, etc. matter to them?

Put some thought into it, not ask strangers to provide you with a polished answer so you don't have to put forth the effort.

RescueNinjaKy · Feb 24, 2015

If I answered those questions for you, can they hire me instead?

Ha ha but seriously, those are questions that are aimed to know you better so just answer them honestly.

cheezwizz90 · Feb 25, 2015

Your patient: "So why are you an ICU nurse? It must be so sad sometimes..."

You: "Hang on, let me ask allnurses.com after I spike this saline."

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

26.2, BSN · Feb 25, 2015

I did not ask for answers. I just wanted some input or advice. I did not ask you to answer my questions. I have my own answers that I am going to use.

ICURN3020 · Feb 25, 2015

If you share your answers, we could help you by giving our input. Without that, I'm not really sure what kind of advice it is you're looking for....?

NanikRN · Feb 25, 2015

[quote=

I would like to get some input or advice please

You got input and advice, as you asked. You dont get to dictate how people give it to you

26.2, BSN · Feb 25, 2015

NanikRN,

I didn't think these posts had to be so mean. I thought we are here to help each other. If you don't have something nice to say maybe you should not say anything at all

NanikRN · Feb 25, 2015

Mean? I'd say honest

And posting is open to all, not just posts of your choice

26.2, BSN · Feb 25, 2015

This is what I have so far on my answers.

1. State your goals/reasons for pursuing a career in critical care or emergency care.

My goal is to challenge my critical thinking skills and knowledge. I want to be an active learner, critical thinker, and think outside the box.

My reasons for pursuing a career in critical care or emergency care are as follows: I work well under stressful conditions. I am also pretty good at showing compassion but emotionally detaching myself from the situation, which is a good combination for critical care. I love to know everything that's going on with my patient, and with the ratios on the floor that's just not possible. I like being able to help someone in their most desperate situation. I feel like the Physicians respect our input into the patients situation more then they do on the floor

2. List and describe the three most challenging aspects you see as a critical care or emergency care nurse.

Gaining respect from Physician and employees

Being new into the ICU/ED. I think the physicians and nurses will view me as completely useless because of my inexperience in critical care.

Having multiple drips at a time.

I have had two drips at a time without difficulty. It is going to be a challenge to manage and titrate multiple drips at a time.

Time Management

I have had 4 patients on a step down unit and was able to manage their multiple comorbidities well. I think the ICU is a different kind of time management to get used to. I also think the Emergency Care is a much more fast paced environment with quick assessment skills needed.

3. What do you see as the differences between your current role and your role in critical care or emergency care?

On my current Medical unit we are not allowed to do any cardiac drips or insulin drips. We are a remote telemetry unit, but if a patient goes into AFib with RVR we have to send them to another unit. I just feel limited on this unit. Report is not as detail oriented as I would like it to be. It seems as though a lot of orders are missed due to lack of time and being task oriented.

ICURN3020 · Feb 25, 2015

I would not capitalize "physician(s)".....you are speaking about physicians in general. They are not God(s).

Instead of stating that you expect to be viewed as useless, explain how you are eager for the opportunity to demonstrate your willingness to be a team player and how you feel that doing so will help earn you the respect of others.

The statement about the multiple drips....rephrase it so that it shows your commitment to expanding your skill set and shows that you are confident that you have the ability to learn new skills.

Just some suggestions. My first impression was that you don't have much confidence in yourself or your abilities. You seem to be focusing on the negative. You are trying to market yourself, so I would try to rephrase things to sound more optimistic.

Good luck :)

NanikRN · Feb 25, 2015

Quote>. on my current Medical unit we are not allowed to do any cardiac drips or insulin drips. We are a remote telemetry unit, but if a patient goes into AFib with RVR we have to send them to another unit. I just feel limited on this unit. Report is not as detail oriented as I would like it to be. It seems as though a lot of orders are missed due to lack of time and being task oriented. .>quote

I would consider rewording this focus on what you want rather than what your unit doesnt have

Example-on my unit we fo remote tele. If any more complex issues arise like afib with RvR, we send them to a different unit. I find myself really wanting to continue with their care and work with some of drips and advanced care of these patients

Good luck