ICU interview

Published

Specializes in Surgical.

Any tips for an upcoming interview in the ICU? It's at a hospital I used to work at as an aide. I've been working as an RN since April 2013 on surgical stepdown, but my former employer is willing to interview me for the ICU position which would be part time days... I really want to work in the ICU or ED. Its been my dream since nursing school. Anyway I have tele experience, I'm ACLS certified and I have used drips.. Only cardizem, heparin and octreoide though... No vasoactive or sedatives like propofol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Describe a time you made a error, what you did about it, and how it changed your practice.

Describe a challenging encounter with a physician, how did you handle it, and how did it affect your relationship with the physician?

Oh, I've got dozens of 'em. Real life interview questions! :nailbiting:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, neuro.

I would be prepared for question about relationships with MD's. Talk about your willingness to learn the drips, mention something with emotionally supporting families going through something tough and providing education to them about disease processes. Your critical thinking skills need to be on point for ICU nursing, talk about how you are excited to develop those skills. If you are a detailed person, mention that.. because you'll be working closely on 1-2 patients, paying close attention to every single aspect of their care. Good luck - I love critical care!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical.

Hey...I got the job! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
Hey...I got the job! :)

Congrats!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations on your new job!! :up:

I realize I'm a little late here, but still wanted to share this horror story for any others who want to know what terror looks like.

I was a few months shy of graduating from nursing school and interviewing for my dream job in the ICU of a hospital I loved from my clinical rotations. There were virtually none of the standard interview questions - just a scenario. A scenario I am pretty sure had no right answer. It just kept going. A no-win situation.

What would you do with a patient who did this.....that didn't work. That was normal. There was no improvement after you did that. Etc. It covered everything from the direct patient care, how and when you call for orders from a MD, how you deal with family members, how you prioritize urgent interruptions to the 'primary crisis' and on.

It. Was. Terrifying.

But I got the job. :) And if I were ever to interview a nurse someday, maybe I might borrow that tactic. Hehe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion