ICU interview--what do they really ask?

sundayj · Nov 15, 2008

I would also like to know what they are asking you during the interview. I am soon going to apply to SICU in Philly

slcpicu · Nov 17, 2008

I would be prepared to answer some of the following:

Why do you want to work in the acute care setting?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Name a time you failed and what you did about it?

What makes you the stronger canidate?

What experience do you have in the critical/acute care setting?

Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs?

What are your goals if given this opportunity?

I was also asked a very weird question not that anyone would ever get it again. Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? hmmmmmm

Anyway good luck with your interviews. Those are just a few I could think of at 3 am.

sundayj · Nov 17, 2008

wow, I thinks a would rather be a medium fish :) what did you say to that one? Very interesting question

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

I think it really depends on whether you're interviewing as a new grad or an experienced nurse.

As a new grad I was asked basic interview questions like why I want to work in an ICU, goals, personality traits, etc. There were very little, if any, specific questions about patient care in an ICU setting since they knew I was a new grad.

As an experienced nurse, I was asked about what types of patients I'm experienced in taking care of, familiarity with hemodynamic monitoring, care of patients on vents, vasoactive drips, time management, working with interdisciplinary teams, certifications. This included more questions that seemed to test my clinical knowledge.

Good luck!!!!

slcpicu · Nov 18, 2008

I was a new grad and I answered: "I would like to be the small fish in a big pond because I would have lots of room to grow." Kinda cheesy but after talking with others I think it might have been a good answer. Anyway I did get the job then so who knows.

TEXAS_BSN_RN · Nov 21, 2008

tell your icu manager you wish you work as much overtime as possible lol :)

labman · Nov 21, 2008

I like the working overtime. I wouldn't sign anything though :bugeyes: because you would be there 24/7

msjag · Nov 23, 2008

They ask experienced RN's a LOT of situational type questions to see how well you prioritize. As well, they will also ask about family type matters to see if you know when the client's family needs an update from the Resident or Intensivist, and when Social Work may need to be called in.

TomCCRN1991 · Nov 30, 2008

A big question is how you handle stress or behave in stressful situations.

poppy07 · Dec 1, 2008

situational questions were a big one for my first ICU interview. that was one of the toughest, as they bombarded me with questions. (however, having this one after 3 others the same day-i had my answers and examples to the T, and fired them off.) After working a year and a half in this unit, I'm relocating and got my first choice job in the SICU/ Trauma/ CVICU. That interview was the most laid back I've ever had- it was basically a conversation.

They may have you think about patients you took care of during clinicals, and apply them to examples of questions. Also, questions pertaining to work you have done, whether job, school, project, etc.

Questions:

Give an example of a really sick patient you took care of, what the problems were, how you handled them/prioritized, and how it turned out.

What would you do if a doctor ordered you to give 80mEq KCl IV over an hour? (you need to know this is too fast/too much over an hour.) Or, just give an example of time you did not follow an order. (They want to see that you critically think and don't just follow orders that don't make sense or could be dangerous, as many times the doctor is tired or miswrites the order-they could have mean PO instead of IV.)

Give an example of a time you had a difficult interaction with a co-worker, or a disagreement, and how you handled it, how it turned out.

How are you going to deal with dying patients and their families?

What do you do when your patient's blood pressure drops really low, they start having difficult breathing, and their heart rate shoots up to 155? (think about your abc's, get some help, call the doctor, etc.)

How do you view your role as a nurse?

Why did you want to be a nurse?

What was your favorite/ least favorite/ hardest/ easiest clinical and why?

What kind of people do you have a hard time working with?

How do you handle stress/pressure?

HOPE THIS HELPS!!!!

2bnurse_it · Dec 3, 2008

is there anything i could read or update myself on to prepare for such an interview?