Neur Interview

Whitewlf00 · Mar 18, 2013

I interviewed on a Neuro Unit last month and got the job as a GN

The questions were pretty basic:

tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a patient

tell me about the most critical patient you have had, what was the condition and what did

you focus on

tell me about a time you had conflict with another team member, how did you resolve it

they did emphasize that the patients can be difficult since you're treating the brain thats

been injured in MVA, brain tumor, etc. families can be difficult because they are not used to seeing their loved ones that way.

I would come up with some ideas on how you would deal with this. I emphasized on maintaining open lines of communication, whether the patient write on a dry erase board or use a computer if needed if they have aphasia.

I start April first...so excited!

British Bulldog · Mar 18, 2013

I interviewed on a Neuro Unit last month and got the job as a GN
The questions were pretty basic:
tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a patient
tell me about the most critical patient you have had, what was the condition and what did
you focus on
tell me about a time you had conflict with another team member, how did you resolve it
they did emphasize that the patients can be difficult since you're treating the brain thats
been injured in MVA, brain tumor, etc. families can be difficult because they are not used to seeing their loved ones that way.
I would come up with some ideas on how you would deal with this. I emphasized on maintaining open lines of communication, whether the patient write on a dry erase board or use a computer if needed if they have aphasia.
I start April first...so excited!

Wow! Congratulations! Thanks sooo much for the info. Goodluck in your new job.

BlackhawkRN · Mar 25, 2013

Congrats to you both! I also am a new grad RN, and starting my first job on a neuro floor on April 1. We need to keep in touch, we can probably share experiences and help each other out!

msjanett2u · Apr 6, 2013

Congratulations, I also start on a med surg-neuro floor May 6th, I'm nervous, but I know that I'm willing to learn everything that comes my way. Good luck with your interview. keep us posted.

Austin12 · May 12, 2013

To new graduates, to be perfectly honest most preceptors and management expect you to not know anything except the basics. So, breath and relax in time you will be a pro. The more you ask questions the better you will be.

I worked NeuroSurgical ICU for a substantial amount of time. Things you will need to pick up on:

1. Know your cranial nerves.

2. Know how frequent your neuro checks are

3. Know the difference between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke

4. Know that hypoglycemia mimics a stroke thus use your glucometer

5. know your patients baseline

6. Know when Thrombolytics are used... BP and time parameter

7. Now your sedation medication: profofol is the drug of choice esp d/t it's short half-life. All other low doses because the possibility of skewed neuro exams

8. Learn your assessments GCS, NIHSS, ICP, CCP, MAP

9. Drugs: mannitol, 3% NaCL, 23% NACl, Nimodipine, nesrnphrine

10. SIADH, DI...

11. Know the difference between subdural and ventric drains. What is a Pbo2 reading for.

Ok. There's a little more. But you'll learn by working. We're all learning

British Bulldog · May 13, 2013

To new graduates, to be perfectly honest most preceptors and management expect you to not know anything except the basics. So, breath and relax in time you will be a pro. The more you ask questions the better you will be.
I worked NeuroSurgical ICU for a substantial amount of time. Things you will need to pick up on:
1. Know your cranial nerves.
2. Know how frequent your neuro checks are
3. Know the difference between hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke
4. Know that hypoglycemia mimics a stroke thus use your glucometer
5. know your patients baseline
6. Know when Thrombolytics are used... BP and time parameter
7. Now your sedation medication: profofol is the drug of choice esp d/t it's short half-life. All other low doses because the possibility of skewed neuro exams
8. Learn your assessments GCS, NIHSS, ICP, CCP, MAP
9. Drugs: mannitol, 3% NaCL, 23% NACl, Nimodipine, nesrnphrine
10. SIADH, DI...
11. Know the difference between subdural and ventric drains. What is a Pbo2 reading for.
Ok. There's a little more. But you'll learn by working. We're all learning

Thanks-a-bunch Austin 12.