PICU phone interview

[kate.b]

Hi everybody! I am currently a nurse of 1 year on a general pediatric unit that does not take very critical patients as our hospital doesnt have a PICU. most tougher cases get trasferred while in ED. My dream has always been to work in pediatric oncology. I have started applying at a childrens hospital to get my foot in the door and applied for a PICU position not expecting to hear so quick. They called me today to set up a phone interview! Well now i am nervous! Our unit tends to be slow since most get transferred, and I feel like over this past year I've lost that energy and feel like I dont have the skills needed in a picu position!! I want to present myself well in the interview but very nervous! I feel like I would get this energy back I hope if i am given this type of position, but very overwhelmed just thinking about it. What if I don't have the skills or critical thinking I had when I was in nursing school!? What if i dont catch on? And will I any practice for pediatric oncology?! Will that transition well in my future? Very nervous and scared now! But I wouldn't want to pass this opportunity up just on the basis of fear! Any advice? Or should i just keep waiting until something opens up in feneral pediatrics or oncology?? HELP!

[Dacatster, ADN]

I went from Adult Med Surg( renal diabetic unit) to Peds stem cell transplant. I now have worked many areas in peds. I wouldn't change for the world. If you go hem/oc any childrens hospital worth their salt will give you a long proper orientation. It really was not that hard of transition for me. Learn your vitals for age group, get PALS, which they will require and trust your instinct.

Good luck

[cnurseisshe, BSN]

As long as you get some background experience in an area of nursing, it will come in handy! I've been working on an adult med/surg/oncology unit for a year and just had an interview at Boston Children's Hospital for a position on their hem/onc floor. Mind you I have no real experience working on peds, so I was nervous for the interview. But as long as you present yourself well you should do fine and once you start talking about your experiences you will start to relax and feel comfortable. I think my interview went well because they called back a couple hours after my interview asking to send my references. Hope all goes well for you!