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Discussion

ICU interview

Hello,

I'm an E.R. Nurse with approximately one year of nursing experience. I am moving from one town to another trying to move from an ER to ICU position. I have gotten a few interviews. What can I do to stand out? No one has called me with an offer just yet. How long have you waited for an offer before? I had an interview at a very large and busy hospital's ICU. I believe the interview went well and I feel like I stood out. I feel like I answered the questions in the interview showing my knowledge and experience on caring for acutely ill patients. At the end of the interview she asked me if I was interested I could come shadow a nurse for about an hour another day to see how the unit works. She explained that it was not necessary but only if I was interested. I sent her a thank you card in the mail then called her two days later to set up a time to visit the unit. She didn't answer the phone but then called me back leaving a voicemail saying it was ok to come in Monday. I then called her back Immediately and she answered the phone. My brain is working a mile a minute because after seeing this unit I really wanted to be a part of it. If she called me back is that a good sign? My experience is that if someone isn't interested they wouldn't call back. What can I do in my shadowing interview on Monday to show them I would be a great candidate? Afterwards how can I continue to stand out?

RedSticker55

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    In the shadow, they're not looking to see what you know. They're looking to see if you're a good fit.

    Don't show off what you know, unless clearly asked. Being cocky is a huge reason to not hire you.

    Ask as many questions as you can without being annoying about it.

    You should show that you're interested in everything they tell you. You should be interested, if you're not, then maybe ICU isn't for you, so it's a good test run for whether or not you believe yourself a good fit for the job.

    Depending on the facility, if they ask you for help with patient care, do as much as you can, as long as the manager says it's cool. If you are told to not touch anyone and someone asks you to do an art stick or help with a Foley insertion, make it clear you were told that you're not allowed to per the manager's request. If you're allowed to, it's a good time to shine. It's kind of a sketchy area, technically you're not an employee there, so make sure that's clarified for you.

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    And it always helps to show up with a box of donuts in hand. :)

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    • Author
    In the shadow, they're not looking to see what you know. They're looking to see if you're a good fit.

    Don't show off what you know, unless clearly asked. Being cocky is a huge reason to not hire you.

    Ask as many questions as you can without being annoying about it.

    You should show that you're interested in everything they tell you. You should be interested, if you're not, then maybe ICU isn't for you, so it's a good test run for whether or not you believe yourself a good fit for the job.

    Depending on the facility, if they ask you for help with patient care, do as much as you can, as long as the manager says it's cool. If you are told to not touch anyone and someone asks you to do an art stick or help with a Foley insertion, make it clear you were told that you're not allowed to per the manager's request. If you're allowed to, it's a good time to shine. It's kind of a sketchy area, technically you're not an employee there, so make sure that's clarified for you.

    detroitdano,

    Thanks for the advice! I want to blow them out the water. I just don't want to miss this opportunity!

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    And it always helps to show up with a box of donuts in hand. :)

    Ha I will consider that. Pastries always help.

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    • Author

    So I went to the shadow interview and it went great. The person I shadowed with was very knowledgable. I spoke to the manager to thank her for the opportunity. She asked me how I liked it and I said its a great unit and am excited for the possibility of working there! It's a large micu/sicu. She said she would be making her decision this week! How long should u wait to email her a thank you and to touch base? I think it went amazingly!

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    So I went to the shadow interview and it went great. The person I shadowed with was very knowledgable. I spoke to the manager to thank her for the opportunity. She asked me how I liked it and I said its a great unit and am excited for the possibility of working there! It's a large micu/sicu. She said she would be making her decision this week! How long should u wait to email her a thank you and to touch base? I think it went amazingly!

    Congrats! When I shadowed/interviewed, I sent a follow up email that same afternoon. She got back to me the next day!

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    So I went to the shadow interview and it went great. The person I shadowed with was very knowledgable. I spoke to the manager to thank her for the opportunity. She asked me how I liked it and I said its a great unit and am excited for the possibility of working there! It's a large micu/sicu. She said she would be making her decision this week! How long should u wait to email her a thank you and to touch base? I think it went amazingly!

    Even though you spoke with the manager after shadowing, it wouldn't hurt to email or send a letter NOW expressing your excitement/appreciation for being able to shadow. Mention some of the neat stuff/patients/disease-processes you hopefully saw, extoll the virtues of the person with whom you shadowed.

    I hope you realize that the time you spent shadowing was an extended interview. You were being observed/evaluated to see how well you'd fit in with that ICU. It's definitely a good thing that you were offered the opportunity to shadow.

    Good Luck!

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    • Author

    I got the job offer! Thanks for all the tips!

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    Congratulations on your new job!

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