New LVN interview help!

libran1984, ASN, RN · May 17, 2013

I just wrote something of the sorts to an RN applying to an ICU job. Here is some real primo-advice. Sorry it is not specifically tailored to you, but by all means it should be mostly pertinent......

I work in the ED, but many of my co-workers came from ICU and PCU. Here is what I've learned and how you should present yourself.

Section one - the basics

1. Leave your phone in the car.

2. Bring 2-3 copies of your resume and work work experience (preferably designed as a CV that should include a 5-10 year goal). This will make you memorable, and it shows professionalism. There are often 2-3 hiring managers you will meet during your interview. Make sure to have something for everyone.

3.Bring your own notepad and pen to take notes through out the interview. It will show the managers you are a detailed person who is ALSO interviewing them.

4. Ask final questions. Prepare Follow-up questions at the end of the interview. Every interview I have ever had ended, "do you have any questions?". ALWAYS ask something. For the ER, I ended the interview asking the managers, "What do you consider excellent customers satisfaction?" Little did I realize at the time just how pertinent that question was to the ED.

5. Send a thank you email. Walk out with their business cards and email a thank you letter to each of the interviewing managers, and re-emphasize key points during your interview.

Those are the basics.

Now let's talk about specifics. The following things you can translate to pertinent ICU/PCU care.

1. Cluster Care. Emphasize your ability to cluster care for patients, grouping your baths and assessments into one fell swoop, etc.

2. Express your independence in your current/former job as a huge wealth of knowledge that has more sufficiently prepared you for critical care nursing. Give at least one excellent example of your critical thinking skills (ie:when you were forced to send someone out or had to call the MD).

3. Discuss the importance of monitoring skin integrity and your wound care skills as demonstrated during your time at the SNF. Please provide examples of some of the more advanced wound care provided.

4. Discuss any and all experience you have with Bipap, Cpap, and vented patients. Explain how you understand that a decreased blood pressure in a pt on CPAP is cause for concern. (ie; Most often seen with Afib or something that causes loss of atrial kick. Pressure on thin R vent walls from lungs causes it not to fill as much and reduces RV stroke volume) (--->I stole that from facebook this morning

5. Discuss your experience with stroke and cardiac patients. This will be very important!

6. Say something to the effect that while you feel techs and aids are very much essential for the floor fluidity, you are also a self-sufficient nurse.

7. Very clearly state that you are NOT AFRAID to ask questions

8. Explain when calling the doctor you always state, "I'm calling you for an order of zofran- here is why..." or something along the sorts. The PAs and physicians complain to the ER nurses in my dept all the time about how ICU and PCU nurses always beat around the bush never saying what they're actually calling for, but rather just give a list of symptoms and leave the PAs and MDs guessing as to what the actual complaint or request was.

The following are questions you should anticipate hearing from the hiring managers:

1. Why should we hire you - State that this is where you need to be and where you were always meant to be, and that if the time is not right here and right now then it will be right soon. You must absolutely show conviction. Practice in the mirror! (no, i'm very serious on that).

2. how would you handle families? Example, You just received a pt from ED and the family is demanding to be at bedside during your initial assessment. - This could be a time where you talk about culturally sensitive care depending on the report you received from ED. You could talk about citing hospital protocols if there is any. You could give your own preference on the subject or talk about how this initial assessment is to be between the patient and the nurse. Whatever you want.

3. How have you handled an unexpected and stressful situation in the past. What were you able to learn from that situation?

4. How do you feel about occasional call-offs due to low-census?

5. I have heard rumors about scenarios being called into question. I would look at ACLS practice questions. I think they would give great scenarios! AHA ACLS Written Test flashcards | Quizlet

If you take all of this advice to heart, you will have a fair chance. I truly wish you the best of luck. Giving examples of your critical thinking skills is the most important part.

PS- Don't forget to ask for a business card at the end of the interview with the manager's email address. You MUST email them later and thank them for taking time out of your busy day and hi-lite any other points you wish to make. This is a very commonly forgotten task! The interview is not over just because you left the building!

jigzawnurse28 · May 17, 2013

You know to be honest none of these techniques helped me. I was in your shoes. I got tired lol and one day had an interview at a respected unit in my city and just went there and be myself. Why should i hire you? I told him im just ready. Thats it. And everything else I couldnt remember but it worked I got accepted. Just relax and build a rapport. Share your real life experiences, not necessarily medical coz like me I never had any of those. Just let them in and see what kind of person are you. Be honest and show them thay what they see is what they get.

libran1984, ASN, RN · May 17, 2013

You know to be honest none of these techniques helped me. I was in your shoes. I got tired lol and one day had an interview at a respected unit in my city and just went there and be myself. Why should i hire you? I told him im just ready. Thats it. And everything else I couldnt remember but it worked I got accepted. Just relax and build a rapport. Share your real life experiences, not necessarily medical coz like me I never had any of those. Just let them in and see what kind of person are you. Be honest and show them thay what they see is what they get.

But still get that business card at the end of the interview and email a thank you!!!!

HippyDippyLPN · May 18, 2013

When I started being myself and thinking of the interviews both ways (for example why should I want to work there?) I landed nearly every job I have interviewed for. Before that, I was a nervous nelly and never even got an email of rejection. Have confidence or fake it till you make it! That mantra helped me as well, I had the skills and knowledge, I just needed to let confidence shine through even if I didn't feel it at the time of the interview.