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Discussion

Interview advice

I just finished up my first year of practice, second year in patient care, and I'm looking to transfer to an emergency department. I'm currently working on a med/surg floor, but I did my externship/PCT work in an ED and that's what I want to practice. The trouble is that I've applied to a few places, gotten some interviews, and they keep saying "get some more experience" or "why don't you work in an ICU?", neither of which make sense to me because EDs take new grads, and why would you want someone to take their second choice of assignment?

So basically, I'm trying to figure out how I should present myself in a way that doesn't put interviewers off. What sort of qualities should I communicate, and what sort of experience should I highlight in order to show that I'm a good fit?

If anyone has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.

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    If you won't take the interviewers advice to 'get more experience' why would you take someone's advice on this forum? Sounds like you need more experience and ignoring what you're being told while figuring out how to circumvent that judgement seems self defeating.

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    As someone who has been out of nursing for far too long and who has had multiple interviews lately, I say: keep trying! You have a year of nursing and that is a good launching point to transfer. I understand their ask for intensive care to build on med-surg skills given the mix of acuity needs in the ED, but fair point on "they take new grads.” The thing about new grads is that they are a blank slate. So, emphasize your recent experience but really emphasize your humility and willingness to learn! Passion for an area of nursing is palpable too. 

    What kind of questions were you given? My latest were a mix of triage scenarios, how I handled a difficult situation at work, an example of cultural sensitivity, a time I lacked confidence and what I did about it, and how I would handle an issue with a coworker, teamwork questions, so on...

    Anyhow, don't give up! I wish you the best! 

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    ERs traditionally do not take new grads, this is something that just evolved post-covid out of necessity.

    New grads do not have the experience to tackle emergency care, or the skills needed for patient education and support. Moving to an ICU is an excellent start, you will gain critical care skills and learn to manage RSIs and codes, among other scenarios.

    You have been given good advice and come here instead hoping for something different?

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