Interview in the NICU tomorrow!!!

No tips but just wanted to say congrats!

Thanks!!

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.

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 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 🤓. There were some tough questions too!!

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 $$?

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).

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!!

Ok, here are some questions that I can think of off the top of my head:

Tell me about a time a situation didn't go as planned and what you did about it.

Tell me about how you demonstrate excellence.

How do you handle constructive criticism, explain the situation.

How do you handle difficult people. (mostly parents I presumed)

I was asked about how I practice safety.

She then asked me how many times I called in sick last year, and if I was late to work.

Oh, she also asked me what my classmates and teachers would say about me! That was awkward lol.

I was ready with my mental list of strengths and weaknesses, but she never asked.

Just stay calm and professional, and you will do great! If you have to think about an answer that just shows that you take your time to think things through (just don't take too long haha). I did ask her if I answered one of her questions fully to make sure she got what she needed from me.

Good luck and let me know how you do and if you get it! I'm rooting for you!!!