MICU Interview tomorrow- need help

Icare4all · Dec 21, 2008

Ok! I just received a call for an interview for MICU position at a trauma I hospital here in town. The position is for 7pto 7a. I have no previous ICU experience, and I have been a RN for 2.5 years. How can I prepare for this interview? What questions are asked? I am so nervous, but I am also excited. Any advice will help greatly. The same hospital has a Burn ICU and I will be interviewing with them in two weeks. But, MICU called first, and I will be going tomorrow morning.

I would not be too stressed about the interview. The interviewer knows that you have no critical care experience. I work in a MICU as well and love it. The experience is very intense. The patients' population varies. They have multiple organ systems failure. You have to deal with end of life issues a lot. The MICU has prepared me for CRNA school. The questions to ask should be about orientation, scheduling, staff education, evidence-based practice, types of patients, autonomy of nurses in the unit, CCRN, nursing model, and ask to talk to a staff nurse on duty at that time. I was moving from another state at the time I started so it was very important to me to ask all these questions. I have been in that unit for a while and have interviews a few people now. These questions will show interest and knowledge. Happy Holidays!!! and good luck.

krzysiu · Dec 23, 2008

I would not be too stressed about the interview. The interviewer knows that you have no critical care experience. I work in a MICU as well and love it. The experience is very intense. The patients' population varies. They have multiple organ systems failure. You have to deal with end of life issues a lot. The MICU has prepared me for CRNA school. The questions to ask should be about orientation, scheduling, staff education, evidence-based practice, types of patients, autonomy of nurses in the unit, CCRN, nursing model, and ask to talk to a staff nurse on duty at that time. I was moving from another state at the time I started so it was very important to me to ask all these questions. I have been in that unit for a while and have interviews a few people now. These questions will show interest and knowledge. Happy Holidays!!! and good luck.

Not to mention, if you are interested in pursuing anesthesia. The MICU will be more universally accepted as critical experience. Not saying that a burn unit would not be good experience, however, many schools look for MICU, SICU, CVICU...or units that have the highest propensity for a patient population on ventilators and vaso-active medications etc.