interview next week!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I am so excited, I finally got a call from a hospital in the area and they want to interview me next week for a TCU (telemetry care unit) position. Apparently it is part of the ICU. I am a new grad RN (with BSN).

It has been hard for me trying to find something because I moved, so of course no one around here knows my work ethic. I had 3 job offers at the hospital I used to work at but since I was moving, I had to turn them all down. I really don't want to mess this opportunity up because I am desperate for a job, and I don't know how many others I am competing against.

What kind of potential interview questions can I expect? I am meeting with the ICU director as opposed to HR for my initial interview. I know to research the mission of the organization and I am sure they will ask me questions about conflict with coworkers, my strengths/weaknesses and that sort of thing but this is my first real nursing interview so I really do not know what to expect. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[StudyinginCT]

In general, I think it would a good idea to come up with a response as to how you handle stress. Working in critical care is stressful, and if you don't handle stress well it's likely not the place for you. I don't handle stress particularly well, I internalize a lot of stuff. I'm working on changing that. I wanted critical care, but didn't realize that I have a tough time managing my own stress level. The patients never see me sweat, my co-workers think I'm a gift during a code because I am calm, think critically, communicate and get **** done, but it all takes it toll on me. So think about how you would respond to a question about managing stress.

In general, I think asking questions about the culture of the floor is a good idea. It shows that you are a team player and aren't some kind of ******, negative nurse who goes around spreading negativity. Ask about committees and shared governance and how much nurses get to participate in the way their unit is run. Ask about educational opportunities. By asking questions about bettering yourself, you show the manager that you can be more than just a staff nurse. That you want to be the best nurse you can be and participate in making your unit a better place for patients and nurses.

[SoulSpirit_Rn]

Just had a telemetry interview today. I never been in the hospital setting and I fumbled! I was asked scenario questions like, "what would you do if a patient is having chest pain, what meds would you give?" Other question referred to customer service like, "tell me a time that you went beyond to provide customer service". I was almost clueless about medications to give for CABG/a fib. Just nerves! My advice is to prepare yourself a set of general interview questions and even specific medical questions that apply to the specialty

[StudyinginCT]

I think you can also respond with "If I encountered a problem I didn't know how to address, I would make sure that I utilize the resources of my co-workers and ancillary staff to appropriately intervene." Pain is pain. The meds you give might be different, but the assessment skills of a human being (i.e. a NURSE) are the same and irreplacable. In every situation, there might be nuances you are not familiar with, but your process is still the same, even if the details are different. Every new job is new by definition. There is a learning curve. Acknowledging that you might not know the answer but have the skills and the resourcefulness to discern the appropriate interventions shows that you can be calm, cool, and collected when responding to patient needs. The saying is "you don't know what you don't know." Identifying that you don't know is just as beneficial as knowing. In an interview, asking about what kinds of resources nurses utilize in that same scenario will give you valuable information about how the floor is run and whether you want to be a part of that team. Remember - you are interviewing them just as thoroughly as they are interviewing you. You will be trained for your job. Don't forget that. Ask how you are trained and show your commitment to the process in the interview. Ask to shadow. Ask to shadow twice. Ask to be connected with a nurse who is relatively new and ask that nurse what her/his experience was like as an orientee.

Hope that helps.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Thank you everyone! I had my interview and it went great, and got offered the job on the spot! They told me that the original position for the TCU was filled, however. They placed me in progressive care, but I will also be trained to work in the ICU.

I am very excited, but also nervous! I start in a week. Any tips for a new grad?

[Ashlyn91]

I have a interview this Friday for a cardiovascular progressive care unit and I am really nervous about what kinds of questions they will ask me. I know the normal questions like "tell me about yourself" or "why do you want to work here" but I didn't know if anyone could send me some interview question/tips to prepare for in an interview for this particular unit.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I have a interview this Friday for a cardiovascular progressive care unit and I am really nervous about what kinds of questions they will ask me. I know the normal questions like "tell me about yourself" or "why do you want to work here" but I didn't know if anyone could send me some interview question/tips to prepare for in an interview for this particular unit.

Are you a new grad or do you have experience? My questions were more general as opposed to actual clinical scenarios...I did have some situational questions, though, like how I would handle conflict with a coworker on the unit or if I didn't know something (always utilize your charge nurse and your coworkers!). Be sure to have some strengths and weaknesses prepared, and never tell them you don't have any weaknesses. Play up your weakness as a strength. Good luck!