New Rn Grad To Be Interviewed At Icu This Friday

heartICU · Jun 8, 2005

Please help!!!! I'm panicking here....I just got a call from one of the hospitals I've applied at and they would like me to come in for an interview tis Friday and it's in the ICU... I'm a new grad and no previous experience ( I only went to the ICU during my nursing school once and it was all for shadowing an ICU nurse and observe)..Yikes! I know I'm not ready for this type of nursing position but I did not want to let the offer down and I don't want hiring manager think less of me. I'm so nervous about this interview.
Now here are my questions:
1) How should I present myself when I come in for the interview?
2) What is expected of me and what should I expect from them?
3) What is the job like in the ICU?
4) What is the nurse-patient ratio?
5) What type of orientation do hospitals usually give to new grads in the ICU?
6) How should I prepare myself prior to the interview?
7) Is the ICU recommended to new grads?
I'm really nervous and scared. Also, I just moved here in CA and we are still in the process of settling down (got here 4 days ago) and finding child care for my kids. Then I haven't taken the NCLEX-RN yet but I'm scheduled to take it on July 15th (just got my ATT today).....Do you guys think going straight to the ICU for my first nursing job is crazy?

I went to the ICU as a new graduate, and loved it. It is a different environment, and takes a special person to do it. I would definitely go to the interview; you have nothing to lose by talking with the nurse manager. I posted about new grads in the unit before - at the bottom of this post is a link to another thread...scroll down to reply #8. While it applies to open heart surgical ICU, it still might help you if you decide to accept the position.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82543

heart queen · Jun 8, 2005

having interviewed and trained new nurses, my primary concern would be the patient population.... what good is 6 months in a CCU, when you crave a varirty of patients, also not how long,,, but what classes does the orientation include... hemodynamics? vents? Hoe long before you will be asked to take charge (don't laugh...I was put in charge of a new group 60 or less days off orientation).

What is your learning preference? Do you learn best from one strict set of rules then formulate your own game plan, or do you prefer to be exposed to many differing points of view... ask for your preference in one or many preceptors.

If you require more orientation than the facility plan allows... how do they handle this? punitive... or leisurley?

How soon off orientation will you be required to float, and what type of orientation will be provided for those different units?

How soon do they expect you to be up and running? It takes 6 months for a new grad, a good facillity will back classes, clinicals,,, then orientation, than resource to almost 9 months... one you should run from says 30 days. It really takes 18 months for you to feel confident.. not nervous on the way in to work... is there a mentor program to help with your transition... and who will be there to help guide you with clinical questions after orientation... how many years do they have in?

If one half the people I trained asked these questions... about 40% wouldn't have taken the job... those that did, in my facility had an excellent orientation... followed by chaos. We always had turn over... and your experienced person... person... was now training a newbie... and did their best to help you....

Not scaring you at all.... let the buyer beware... watch what you ask for... you may get it... so know what you're getting into..

ps... managers love to have interviewie's ask questions.... REALLY... so let them talk... and listen, I hope this is what you're looking for.... again, NOT trying to scare you off... just be aware ofthe pitfalls... you'll be able to spot a desperate facility quickly

let us know... and snatch it if it's a good deal.... starting out... it's NOT about the money... that WILL come.

mye614 · Jun 8, 2005

having interviewed and trained new nurses, my primary concern would be the patient population.... what good is 6 months in a CCU, when you crave a varirty of patients, also not how long,,, but what classes does the orientation include... hemodynamics? vents? Hoe long before you will be asked to take charge (don't laugh...I was put in charge of a new group 60 or less days off orientation).
What is your learning preference? Do you learn best from one strict set of rules then formulate your own game plan, or do you prefer to be exposed to many differing points of view... ask for your preference in one or many preceptors.
If you require more orientation than the facility plan allows... how do they handle this? punitive... or leisurley?
How soon off orientation will you be required to float, and what type of orientation will be provided for those different units?
How soon do they expect you to be up and running? It takes 6 months for a new grad, a good facillity will back classes, clinicals,,, then orientation, than resource to almost 9 months... one you should run from says 30 days. It really takes 18 months for you to feel confident.. not nervous on the way in to work... is there a mentor program to help with your transition... and who will be there to help guide you with clinical questions after orientation... how many years do they have in?
If one half the people I trained asked these questions... about 40% wouldn't have taken the job... those that did, in my facility had an excellent orientation... followed by chaos. We always had turn over... and your experienced person... person... was now training a newbie... and did their best to help you....
Not scaring you at all.... let the buyer beware... watch what you ask for... you may get it... so know what you're getting into..
ps... managers love to have interviewie's ask questions.... REALLY... so let them talk... and listen, I hope this is what you're looking for.... again, NOT trying to scare you off... just be aware ofthe pitfalls... you'll be able to spot a desperate facility quickly
let us know... and snatch it if it's a good deal.... starting out... it's NOT about the money... that WILL come.

hello, heart queen!

Thanks for the feedback. You have presented me with a lot of good questions to ask when I go for my interview. Though I'm nervous about this, I'm actually interested in finding out what's it like working in the ICU. I've heard lots of horror stories about it but I keep asking myself "should I believe these people or should I find out mysefl?"....I'll lewt you know what happened after my interview on Friday.

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2005

Just curious to see how the interview went???

skinnycloak · Aug 7, 2005

Please help!!!! I'm panicking here....I just got a call from one of the hospitals I've applied at and they would like me to come in for an interview tis Friday and it's in the ICU... I'm a new grad and no previous experience ( I only went to the ICU during my nursing school once and it was all for shadowing an ICU nurse and observe)..Yikes! I know I'm not ready for this type of nursing position but I did not want to let the offer down and I don't want hiring manager think less of me. I'm so nervous about this interview.
Now here are my questions:
1) How should I present myself when I come in for the interview?
2) What is expected of me and what should I expect from them?
3) What is the job like in the ICU?
4) What is the nurse-patient ratio?
5) What type of orientation do hospitals usually give to new grads in the ICU?
6) How should I prepare myself prior to the interview?
7) Is the ICU recommended to new grads?
I'm really nervous and scared. Also, I just moved here in CA and we are still in the process of settling down (got here 4 days ago) and finding child care for my kids. Then I haven't taken the NCLEX-RN yet but I'm scheduled to take it on July 15th (just got my ATT today).....Do you guys think going straight to the ICU for my first nursing job is crazy?

I just started working a month ago as a new grad in critical care...very overwhelming at times to say the least! Its alot to learn...but you are on orientation with a preceptor nurse for what seems like along time to me...the schedule is out until october and I am still on orientation along side my preceptor. Lots of nurses would tell you not to go to critical care after grad...but what an excellent opportunity it is hard to get in critical care as a nurse with alot of experience...just go for it...my interview was kind of scary...but I just told her that I wanted to be the best and at the top of the line...critical care is way up there nurses are at their best .....I wanted to know it all...and be able to handle anything that came my way...so critical care it is....!!! The nurses want you to succeed they want you to be of benefit to them while working.