ICU Interview

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Hi all,

i am a new nurse who has been working in ed for 4 months. Now, i have an icu interview in two days and i am so nervous. I do not really know what i should focus on, such as questions and the right answers. Icu is my dream job and i do not want to loose this opportunity. Does anyone have any advice?

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Well from what I remember from my interview my accredidations were important. Make sure you're up to date on your BLS & ACLS certification. Besides that it was the typical "what are your strengths & weaknesses & what are your plans for the future" type interview. I'm not sure my interview was typical but I hope that helps you.

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You'd probably be wise to prepare an answer to "So you have been a nurse for 4 months and now you want to leave there and come here. Why? What makes me want to hire you? How will I know that you will be worth my time and training budget?"

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THank you for your help. I am not planning to leave my ED job. This ICU job will be a part time or per diem job.

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Specializes in ICU.

Maybe state that it would be your goal to use the skills you've learned in ED to eventually pursue a permanent ICU slot and by working PT or per diem would allow a smoother transition.

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Excellent point! thank you!

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Specializes in STICU; cross-trained in CCU, MICU, CVICU.

ICU is a great job however BE VERY CAREFUL....ED and ICU nursing is COMPLETELY different!!!!! I cannot stress that enough...Make sure you can differentiate between the two. I am on an interview board for my ICU and we get ED nurses a lot... some good...some not so good....Typically they have an extremely hard time with transitionng between definitive treatment as opposed to stablizing and getting rid off....Most ED nurses are in the ED because they know that they see the patient for a brief period and then are able to leave them....ICU RN's know that they'll be with the patient for the entire shift (hopefully :) ) ....good luck...

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Specializes in ICU.
ICU is a great job however BE VERY CAREFUL....ED and ICU nursing is COMPLETELY different!!!!! I cannot stress that enough...Make sure you can differentiate between the two. I am on an interview board for my ICU and we get ED nurses a lot... some good...some not so good....Typically they have an extremely hard time with transitionng between definitive treatment as opposed to stablizing and getting rid off....Most ED nurses are in the ED because they know that they see the patient for a brief period and then are able to leave them....ICU RN's know that they'll be with the patient for the entire shift (hopefully :) ) ....good luck...

So true. There really is a difference.

Unfortunately, I've seen too many ED nurses BARELY have the patient stabilized before they transfer them to ICU! I can't stress enough the importance of knowing the IV drips that are being starting in the ED and knowing what the parameters for those meds are! If the med runs out before they get transferred to the ICU, it doesn't necessarily mean that it was a one-time dose!!!!

sorry, for the rant....I guess you hit one of my hot spots! There are lots of good ED nurses out there!

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It is true what you're saying. I love ED, trust me. I always wanna go to ICU and now I see this opportunity coming. I am not sure if it will be a good decision, but I have to try. I would prefer a per-diem instead of part-time. It is very hard working in ED full time and part-time in ICU. I am going to the interview and well will see.

I gonna be honest all the time.

:)

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