Interview in the NICU tomorrow!!!

Party_of_five, BSN · Jan 17, 2017

No tips but just wanted to say congrats!

jenny_lynn · Jan 18, 2017

Thanks!!

Semper_Gumby · Jan 18, 2017

I interviewed recently for a NICU by Skype, there were a few behavioral type questions (What do you do/how do you respond in X situation) and a good bit of discussion since I had two years of nursery experience. I was not offered the position but also sort of got the feeling they might have someone else in mind and were interviewing me as a formality. Dress professionally and conservatively (suit or nice top and skirt/slacks), take a deep breath and be yourself! If you have time you can google common nursing interview questions as well as general interview questions and think of how you might respond--some common ones are "Where do you see yourself in 5 (or 3, as one interview asked) years?" "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" "Tell me about a time you had a difficult patient/difficult coworker. How did you respond?" Etc. It's a great idea to have an idea in mind (i.e. situations from clinical or previous work life) of how you will answer some of the common questions. I hope the interview goes great, I'm rooting for you (as someone who's dreamed of NICU since my teen years and haven't gotten there yet)!

Also, I'd be prepared to answer the question "Why NICU?" because basically every nursing interview I've had (except, ironically, the NICU one) has asked why I was interested in that unit, hospital, and/or specialty.

jenny_lynn · Jan 20, 2017

Well I got a job offer!!! :) I am soooo happy!! However, I wanted to negotiate for more just $1/hr more.... does that seem reasonable or will they think I'm being a brat? Lol

jenny_lynn · Jan 20, 2017

I interviewed recently for a NICU by Skype, there were a few behavioral type questions (What do you do/how do you respond in X situation) and a good bit of discussion since I had two years of nursery experience. I was not offered the position but also sort of got the feeling they might have someone else in mind and were interviewing me as a formality. Dress professionally and conservatively (suit or nice top and skirt/slacks), take a deep breath and be yourself! If you have time you can google common nursing interview questions as well as general interview questions and think of how you might respond--some common ones are "Where do you see yourself in 5 (or 3, as one interview asked) years?" "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" "Tell me about a time you had a difficult patient/difficult coworker. How did you respond?" Etc. It's a great idea to have an idea in mind (i.e. situations from clinical or previous work life) of how you will answer some of the common questions. I hope the interview goes great, I'm rooting for you (as someone who's dreamed of NICU since my teen years and haven't gotten there yet)!
Also, I'd be prepared to answer the question "Why NICU?" because basically every nursing interview I've had (except, ironically, the NICU one) has asked why I was interested in that unit, hospital, and/or specialty.

thanks for all of that input!!! I wore a pants suit, hair up, and glasses on ðŸ¤“. There were some tough questions too!!

Wuzzie · Jan 20, 2017

Well I got a job offer!!! :) I am soooo happy!! However, I wanted to negotiate for more just $1/hr more.... does that seem reasonable or will they think I'm being a brat? Lol

I wouldn't push it. They likely have 10+ other candidates more than willing to take their offer. NICU is a hard gig to get.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 20, 2017

Be grateful you got the job. Don't blow it now by getting greedy. As Wuzzie said, they probably have other people they can choose from. Also, there is probably a set salary for new grads -- and a set formula for figuring in your LPN experience.

The one thing you might do is asked how they handled (or "counted") your LPN experience. By focusing their attention on it, they may offer you a little more without your having to be pushy about it.

jenny_lynn · Jan 20, 2017

Yes, I know. I am very grateful. I asked the HR lady if I was being unreasonable for asking for a dollar more and she thought with my experience it wasn't. She said she would get back to me and the worst thing they could say would be no. I feel a little bad but I have bills to pay too...They would really take back the job offer if I wanted to negotiate for a little bit more $$?

Wuzzie · Jan 20, 2017

Sad to say yes they would.

Semper_Gumby · Jan 22, 2017

Congratulations! I'm glad you got the job. And yes, a lot of places have a set rate for new grads to start at. The hospital I start at in a few weeks actually has tiers of "staff nurse I, staff nurse II," etc., based on experience, with set rates for those (at least, as far as I can tell still being on the outside lol).

JenLKramer · Jan 23, 2017

Congrats! NICU is my absolute dream! Hoping to get a call for the 2nd interview this week some time. Would you be ever so kind as to share some of the questions they asked? I've prepped on a ton of the basic questions, but there aren't many NICU specific interview questions. TIA!!