Interview advice for an experienced oncology nurse seeking to transfer

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Hi!

I've been an inpatient oncology nurse for nearly five years. I've always worked as an oncology nurse, and I have both a chemotherapy/biotherapy certification and my OCN. I've always wanted to do ICU nursing, but it's difficult to get your foot in the door sometimes. However, my hospital is now offering an ICU fellowship program for experienced nurses. I applied to the MICU fellowship and I was invited to interview for one of the positions on Wednesday. I'm really nervous! ICU nursing has always been my dream job, and I finally have the opportunity to interview for a position.

Do y'all know what kind of questions they'll ask? Any interview advice in general? I've been practicing questions by recording myself, and I'm practicing with my mom via facetime later today.

Any advice/tips are greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Medical ICU.

Hi! I was in a similar situation, worked on a medical/oncology floor for 9 years, have my chemo and OCN certs but wanted to switch to ICU. I got hired and actually just finished my orientation this weekend so I'm still brand new to ICU. My terview for the MICU didn't have any kind of clinical type questions, more like a couple of your typical strengths/weaknesses, tell us about a time when you had a conflict with a co-worker, etc. I will say that I played up my experience with chemo and blood products and central lines. Especially about the seriousness of administering chemo, and ones that you'd have to titrate. If you've ever had patients that were starting to crump and you recognized subtle changes in their assessment or labs you can talk about that. Like oncologic emergencies, which MICU would probably be the place those pts transfer. Your experience is definitely relevant and valuable. Also talk about teamwork, not sure if I just got super lucky or if it's just how ICUs are bc of the acuity and the amount of care the pts require since they can do barely anything for themselves, but I've noticed everyone pitches in and helps one another, goes into a crashing pts room to help out without having to be asked, etc. That's definitely something they'd be looking for. Good luck!

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Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply!! I'm definitely planning to play up the chemotherapy certification in my interview, especially given that our unit has to occasionally administer multi agent chemotherapy regimens for patients in the MICU. I know my face is recognizable to the MICU night staff because I've come up numerous times to administer chemotherapy and also to transfer our patients on a fairly often basis since they're so medically fragile and prone to decompensation at times. In fact, I had to administer GU VIP last night for a MICU patient, so I was up there four times within the span of four hours!

Also, our rapid assessment team (same thing as rapid response team) has their office located on our unit. We know the staff really well, and I'm well regarded by the team members. I used a couple of the nurses as references, so I know that gives me huge brownie points!!

I hope you're doing well and enjoying your new position!

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Hey, I know it's been over a month, but I just wanted to let you know that I got the job!! I had my first welcome/orientation session today. Thank you for all your advice and tips! :)

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Specializes in Medical ICU.

Congratulations, that is awesome to hear!! Good luck!!

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