Need advice to prep for ED interview

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I have an interview for an ED position (small community hospital), and I was hoping for some hints and tips to help convince her she would not be wasting her time with me. I've been a nurse for five years but none of it in the ED, med/surg, or anything similar. Most of my experience is with pedi psych/special needs with a short spell as a visiting nurse and a shorter one at a diabetes summer camp. I'm told she might ask me to read an EKG strip or two (I'm refreshing my knowledge as best I can--I know I'll need to re-do my ACLS, which I allowed to lapse). What else, though? I have just under a week to fit in whatever study I can between shifts.

Any and all advice would be gratefully received, inwardly digested, and worked upon feverishly. :)

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.

Scooter 321~

Congratulations on getting an interview! That is AWESOME! Interviews vary greatly but as far as clinical review I would consider the following:

CORE MEASURES...pneumonia, MI, stroke...know the important lab and imaging tests and the associated treatment timelines. For example, pneumonia (door to antibiotic), MI door to cath lab or door to thrombolytic, stroke (door to doc, door to CT, door to thrombolytic).

Also know SEPSIS...check out Surviving Sepsis Campaign |

Surviving Sepsis Campaign and some of the guidelines related to sepsis. They have a checklist template that should give you the general info you need to know.

KNOW the life-threatening EKG strips for sure.

I'll come back with more...but this is where I would start.

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Thanks, ProudEDRN--what a great lot of info. I'll be doing my best to research it all before Monday. :)

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Thanks, ProudEDRN--what a great lot of info. I'll be doing my best to research it all before Monday. :)

How did the interview go? What other advice do you wish someone had given? Share all for the next person who may be looking for info in this thread.

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How did the interview go? What other advice do you wish someone had given? Share all for the next person who may be looking for info in this thread.

I think it went really well, although they didn't ask me a single clinical question. They asked me things like what type of emergency did I have to handle in my current position--asked why ED nursing and why now (more than 5 years out of school). Along with the usual interview gems, like name a strength of yours, name a fault (they actually laughed about that one--said I must have known it was coming), they spent a lot of time explaining the position to me, as well as plans for the department, how the team worked, etc.

I got a call a from HR a few days ago, asking for a couple of references to be emailed in "before we can make a formal offer"! I'm super excited now, but nervous too--what if I don't get it after all? What if I do? LOL.

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words--even though nothing I studied came up, I don't for a moment think my time was wasted and am still studying and listening to ED-type podcasts. Just waiting with baited breath and hoping for the best right now. :)

I'll add a post here to let you know definitively when I finally hear, one way or another.

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How did the interview go? What other advice do you wish someone had given? Share all for the next person who may be looking for info in this thread.

I got it! I start next month. I'm so excited. Nervous too, and sad to be leaving my truly awesome boss here, but mostly excited. :)

Thanks so much for your help and your interest. I have a feeling I'll be posting here a fair bit in the future.

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
I got it! I start next month. I'm so excited. Nervous too, and sad to be leaving my truly awesome boss here, but mostly excited. :)

Thanks so much for your help and your interest. I have a feeling I'll be posting here a fair bit in the future.

Congratulations!!!!

I SO REMEMBER that thrill of excitement when getting my first ER job. So much to learn...and it is definitely an endless process...but so fascinating, lots of adventure, thinking of your feet, and opportunity for positive impact. I hope love it as much as I do! I'll look forward to your stories. Best of luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Operating Room, CVOR.

Thank you, The Nurse Motivator! I just used your post to prep for an ED RN training program interview. My interview panel was impressed...and I got the job! I anticipate the transition from OR nursing to ER will be humbling and terrifying, but with awesome resources like yourself, I'll make it through.

Scooter 321~

Congratulations on getting an interview! That is AWESOME! Interviews vary greatly but as far as clinical review I would consider the following:

CORE MEASURES...pneumonia, MI, stroke...know the important lab and imaging tests and the associated treatment timelines. For example, pneumonia (door to antibiotic), MI door to cath lab or door to thrombolytic, stroke (door to doc, door to CT, door to thrombolytic).

Also know SEPSIS...check out Surviving Sepsis Campaign |

Surviving Sepsis Campaign and some of the guidelines related to sepsis. They have a checklist template that should give you the general info you need to know.

KNOW the life-threatening EKG strips for sure.

I'll come back with more...but this is where I would start.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
Thank you, The Nurse Motivator! I just used your post to prep for an ED RN training program interview. My interview panel was impressed...and I got the job! I anticipate the transition from OR nursing to ER will be humbling and terrifying, but with awesome resources like yourself, I'll make it through.

msancheeze~

Thank you for checking in. Your words totally warm my heart. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I love supporting nurses of all ages and in all stages. We need to lift each other up as a professionals.

Best of luck with the transition. Will look forward to hearing how it goes.

You may want to check out my article that just posted. I recognize you are not a new grad but a few of the tips may still apply.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/5-things-i-1083307.html

I would highly recommend you begin your ED ventures with creating your own "Book of Brains". There is so much to know since we are technically the "jack of all trades". Steep learning curve but oh so fun and rewarding.

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Specializes in ICU, Operating Room, CVOR.

I am quite sad to update you my transfer to the ED was blocked by my director, citing insufficient time available to train my replacement. I am crushed, however, I am planning on applying to the next round and welcome your feedback on what I can do to make myself an even better applicant - I was thinking about completing a TNCC course and doing an EMT-Basic. Thoughts??

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.
I am quite sad to update you my transfer to the ED was blocked by my director, citing insufficient time available to train my replacement. I am crushed, however, I am planning on applying to the next round and welcome your feedback on what I can do to make myself an even better applicant - I was thinking about completing a TNCC course and doing an EMT-Basic. Thoughts??

msancheeze,

I am so sorry to hear that. I can imagine what a disappointment that is, yet see the extra time as an opportunity to be even more prepared. TNCC would be an awesome addition to certifications. Other certifications that are helpful include PALS, ENPC, ACLS, NALS. Anything pediatric is always a plus as many nurses are not comfortable with this population. More you know, more comfortable you'll feel.

You can join the Emergency Nurses Association now if you'd like and have access to free CEUs, Journal of Emergency Nursing, an online forum filled with ED nurses where you can ask questions etc... Buy or borrow some emergency nursing books. Start reading to learn the standard of care in emergency nursing related to different conditions.

Do those ideas help?

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