Please help...got ICU interview and I'm sooooo nervous!

bethem · Sep 8, 2008

I'm not very good at interviews, and I was hoping someone might be able to give me some tips, and advice on how to make a good impression and stand out.
If anyone can give me some example questions that I may get asked, I would be really grateful!
:)

This might sound weird, but... pretend, just during the interview, that you ARE confident. Imagine what a confident person would say and how they would act, and do that! It got me a job in ICU, despite my being cripplingly shy.

I was asked a clinical scenario question (basically a patient with chest pain - what would you do?), and why I should be hired over other applicants, as it was a competitive position. I was also asked to demonstrate my committment to life-long learning and I was asked how I would deal with a situation I was unfamiliar with (I said look up the info in the policies and procedures manual and ask for help from a senior nurse). They also asked about my understanding of the area health service's 'values'.

Bear in mind I'm in Australia, but I hope this helps. Good luck!

Sizzle1985 · Sep 10, 2008

Hi Bethem :)

Thank you for replying to my post...I really appreciate it!

No, that doesn't sound weird at all! A few people have told me to be calm and confident...which is goint to be very hard because I am soooo nervous and, like you, am very shy. I'm going to do my best though!

I've got plenty of critical care/ICU books, so I'm trying to swat up on them! :specs: As well as look on here for any ideas.

Thanks again for your input!

If anyone else has any help/advice I would really appreciate it :nurse:

allnurses Guide · Sep 10, 2008

Sizzle, just relax, as a newly qualified you are going to have to sell yourself so think about what you have that the other newly quals don't. It may be expereinces in training, or prior to training.

Be enthusiastic and think of why you want to work in critical care. It is worth having a look at some of the government documents about critical care, I haven't done ICU for a while but I do know that there have been pushes to increase bed capacity etc.

What sort of unit is it. Are you going to a big teaching hospital or a smaller District General Unit.

Phone and go for an informal visit, this always impresses me and I like to meet people before I can interview them also it will give those interveiwing you a face to think about before you go in. They will remember your a bit easier.

Types of questions will be varied but for a new qualified not too difficult. The basics:

Tell me about yourself - Include stuff from outside your training as well as it shows you have a life outside work which is important

Why do you want to work in ICU

How do you think you will manage the transition from student to qualified

What is your long term goal (may ask 2 - 5 years)

Look at some of the government papers as well, if your in England think about the Essence of care document, in Wales I think it's called Fundimentals

Hope this helps

Sizzle1985 · Sep 19, 2008

Just wanted to say thank you to Bethem and Sharrie for replying to my post...I really appreciate the fact that you took the time to reply to me with some good advice :up:

Well, I had the interview yesterday and they phoned me this morning. I was soooo nervous and was prepared for the worst, but guess what...I got the job!!!!!!!!!!

I really can't believe it, I am so, so happy :w00t:

Really can't wait to start!

xx

allnurses Guide · Sep 19, 2008

Fantastic news, I am so pleased for you

Well done :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: