New Grad RN Interview for Telemetry Position -- Advice, please?

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Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.

hi everyone!!

i have my first interview as a new grad rn this wednesday for a telemetry position. i graduated from nursing school back in september and passed nclex at the beginning on december, but have had no luck at all in getting so much as a call back from any of the hospitals in my area until today. i have an excellent nursing school gpa, but no prior healthcare experience. my passion is the er, although i enjoyed my clinical experience in a cardiac stepdown unit, as well. i've come to realize that as a new grad in this area with this economy, i can't be too picky...and the skills i would acquire on this until would easily transfer to a future er position. honestly, at this point, i'm willing to get experience on any unit possible, and who knows, i may even really end up enjoying it. :wink2: after being unemployed for the last 4 months, i'm appreciative of any offer that might come my way.

i'm looking for advice, as i've never been in this position before. can anyone offer any suggestions to a new grad interviewing for a telemetry position at a major inner-city hospital, including questions i should be sure to ask, etc? i have also posted this in the graduate nurse forum for additional replies.

tia for all your help!

~cathy :heartbeat

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.
hi everyone!!

i have my first interview as a new grad rn this wednesday for a telemetry position. i graduated from nursing school back in september and passed nclex at the beginning on december, but have had no luck at all in getting so much as a call back from any of the hospitals in my area until today. i have an excellent nursing school gpa, but no prior healthcare experience. my passion is the er, although i enjoyed my clinical experience in a cardiac stepdown unit, as well. i've come to realize that as a new grad in this area with this economy, i can't be too picky...and the skills i would acquire on this until would easily transfer to a future er position. honestly, at this point, i'm willing to get experience on any unit possible, and who knows, i may even really end up enjoying it. :wink2: after being unemployed for the last 4 months, i'm appreciative of any offer that might come my way.

i'm looking for advice, as i've never been in this position before. can anyone offer any suggestions to a new grad interviewing for a telemetry position at a major inner-city hospital, including questions i should be sure to ask, etc? i have also posted this in the graduate nurse forum for additional replies.

tia for all your help!

~cathy :heartbeat

question #1. "how long is your orientation period?"

question #2. "will i be with the same rn during my orientation period?"

question #3. "do you utilize monitor techs, versus each rn watching their own rhythms?"

question #4. "do you have formalized cardiac telemetry certification training?"

question #5. "how long do i have, post-hire, before i am required to be certified in telemetry readings (if at all)."

question #6. "what other certifications am i required to have for this position?"

questions # 7,8 & 9. "what kinds of cardiac patients do you get on this floor", "do you count me in your staffing mix while i'm on orientation", and "how long did you say your orientation period was again?" (get that last one in writing if you can!)

good luck

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Specializes in Interventional Radiology.

Also....what is the patient to nurse ratio!!!

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I will be graduating in May and I was debating on Cardiology and neuroscience specialty. Can anyone give me insight of a telemetry unit.

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Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.

Hi PlaneFlyerRN & LaurelRN08!

I just wanted to thank you again for your suggestions. I had my interview at 10am yesterday and it seemed to go extremely well. I interviewed with the hiring manager only, and it lasted for 2 hours! She gave me a tour of the unit, introduced me to many of the staff members, and explained the training I would receive, scheduling procedures, etc. I should hear from the nurse recruiter early next week about whether or not an offer will be extended.

My formal orientation period would last 12 weeks, during which I would be paired with 2 or 3 preceptors; however, the first performance evaluation takes place at 6 months as the first 6 are considered my intro period. I would not be counted in the staffing mix in terms of assignments until the conclusion of my orientation period. I would eventually be crossed trained for the CICU, as well. Patient to Nurse ratio in Tele is 5:1 and 3:1 in CICU (or 2:1 in extreme cases). This is a 48 bed Tele unit. There is a designated monitor tech at all times for the unit. They are working toward Magnet Status and expect to file in 2011. Patient mix includes r/o MI, patients requiring ICD and pacers, cardiomyopathy, CHF, diabetes, post-op...the whole nine yards. Training includes a dysrhythmia course, clin doc training, a critical care core, and a critical care pharm course. ACLS will not be offered until after the 1st year or so.

How does this sound?

~Cathy :heartbeat

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It seems like you got the job have you heard anything yet?

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Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.
It seems like you got the job have you heard anything yet?

Nothing yet. Still keeping my fingers cross. Just trying to keep myself occupied and hoping they put me out of my misery on Monday. :wink2: The waiting game is the worst part of this whole process!

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Specializes in cardiac, psychiatric emergency, rehab.

That sounds like a very thorough training! Good luck!

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so, did you get the job??????????????????????/

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