Job interview later today..stressed!

[RNsteve]

So interview for a temp-full time float position in a few hours.

I'm generally in a situation, working as a lone charge nurse(per shift) in a 44 bed long term care setting(lv 3/4 patients/PCU/Respite-palliative room). Although hired as a float nurse, I've had one chance a year ago to float to a medsurg unit, faced with some struggles, and was told we'd try again at a future date. That was about a year ago, and since then I just been given a date that been pushed back and back. Not personally happy living where I am, so I've decided to move.

So applying for another health authority, with a telephone interview. I know they are badly in need of nurses but just feeling like i'm trapped without acute care experience.

I do a solid-good job in my role within LTC. My Manager recently did my yearly appraisal(3.8/5), voiced no concerns and generally had positive things to say.

But at the same time, had a interview for a different health authority and the response I got was..

"Thank you for your interest in an RN position with _________Health. We are not prepared to offer employment at this time but would welcome your interest in the future should you be able to acquire additional experience in acute care –medical/surgical units. Once you have successfully acquired 6 – 12 months of acute care experience we would welcome the opportunity to re-consider you for employment."

(Province is broken up into 4 health boards)

Answers like that, hard not to just feel trapped/discouraged. Any helpful words of wisdom?

Been reading a few "Nursing interview questions/answers", writing out some notes too prepare but.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-interview-help/how-answer-most-748905.html

(Sorry for pretty rambled rant of a post)

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Look at the mission statement of the facility to which you are applying (which can be found on their website). Know about evidence based practice, just generally. And I do not know if where you are they are giving patient surverys, but if they are, you can also look up what the scores are. That is also good information to keep in the back of your head.

Then comes the "here's how I will be a benefit to your unit". Outline what you do in LTC, the organizational skills, medication management skills, your supervisory skills--and the treatments you are familiar with and routinely do (ie: wound care, for instance).

You can only play up what you do and do well. Otherwise, you can site what skills you have that will allow you to increase your practice skills to meet the demands of acute care. (ie: medicating 44 people in the facility of which I work has given me time management skills, organizational skills, and the ability to adapt to multiple interruptions and continue to remain on a timelined task.)

I supervise xx CNA's and xyz nurses on a shift. I also am learned in respite care, which continually changes on the short term, with patients who are needing skilled nursing care. (that you do respite care is what also needs to be played up, as it can be really close to what a M/S unit can be like).

Your personality is such that you encourage a team oriented approach.

Best of luck, and let us know how it goes!!

[SoaringOwl]

Can you PRN in acute care to get experience?