KnightRN22

Hi everyone, I'm glad to say that I feel like I did decent with the interview. It consisted of basic interview questions such as why did you choose this organization/facility, why ED, tell me about yourself...... I was nervous at first but I got more comfortable as the interview progressed. I interviewed with three different people at the same time (one was the ED manager and then two assistant nurse managers). I would say that the sit down interview was a good 50 to 60 minutes and the tour of the ED was 20 to 30. Everyone seemed friendly and interested. I connected with two of the people at the end about going overseas (that another story). The ED is the only trauma center in my area so the department consists of 4 different wings. The assistant manager that gave me the tour went into good detail about what is expected, tips, and the ratio of patients to nurses and nurse technicians. I then set up a peer interview for next week. Overall I feel that I did good. They gave me a tour, asked about my availability, gave me more information about the next "internship/training" start days, and scheduled the peer review. At the end of the tour, the manager stated that the peer interview was more important because they want to make sure that I fit well with the staff. What can I expect from the peer interview? Should I be bothered that I didn't get any scenarios questions or do you think that they assume they will train me for common scenarios. I only have med/surg experience but I am ACLS, PALS, and port certified. Does it seem like I am doing well, maybe will get an offer after the peer interview? I feel like they would't have gave me more information, scheduled another interview, and a tour if they really didn't see a potential in hiring me.

I have two years of med/surg experience. One year as a nurse technician and one as a registered nurse. Human resources said that I would be interviewing with the manager and possibly an assistant nurse manager as well, but noting about a panel interview.

Hi everyone, I'm happy to say that I got a call back for an ER interview! The human resources person stated that the interview will be an hour and a half long. Can anyone provide some insight for why the job interview would be that long and what can I expect. The interview will be taking place in the ER that I will potentially be working in. I know to dress appropriately and how to answer common interview questions. You always want to talk about yourself in a realistic but positive manner. Never bash your current/past employers and pay close attention to body languages because interviewers are very keen on picking up how you feel during an interview through your body signals. Can you provide some scenarios that may be asked during the interview. Please and thank you.

I am more structured and organized and I have heard that work personalities such as that work better in ICU instead of the ED. I have heard, and like you said, ED is chaotic because you can get a patient with a simple abscess or cardiac arrest. The cards are kind of up in the air. What I like about ED is that I would be the first person to assess the patient and get the story or background of why they came to the hospital in the first place. ICU is also intriguing because the patient is usually established but they have multiple comorbidities at once. I did a shadow day in pediatric ED when I was in school as well as adult ICU. I liked each speciality, but again, both are completely different. My hospital does offer a transition program. The options are either transferring to PCU or ICU. So technically, I could transition form med-surg to PCU or med-surg to ICU with the program. I just want to make sure that I do not overwhelm my self and that I do not put a patient at risk. I do not have heart monitors on my unit and I am currently not EKG trained. The PCU units at my hospital normally have a 4:1 ratio and ICU is 2:1 or 1:1 depending on if the patient is in a fully rotating bed.

Hi everyone, From my last post, I am ready to move on and adventure out into a different specialty in nursing. I'm having a hard time figuring out where I want to go, though I do have a few ideas. I currently have a year of experience in med-surg. I'm think of transitioning either to the ED or ICU down the road. With that being said, I know that they are both completely different in their own way. ED can be hectic whereas ICU is more "organized." For anyone that can help me make a decision or provide insight, what do you think? Do you think it would be smart to go to PCU first and get experience there? I do not want to be overwhelmed with everything that happens in ICU but I do want to gain that critical thinking and expertise. I'm always amazed every time the ICU/Rapid Response nurse comes to my floor and is able to assess and act on the patient within minutes of being in the room. I'm fascinated by all of the knowledge that these nurses hold. Please and thank you!

Thats nuts! How in the world do you care for 9 patients? I can't even imagine what your shift is like. I completely agree with you about the appreciation issue, I feel that they will sit down with you and listen but the conversation never goes anywhere or nothing is done about it (actions speak louder than words people). Some of the aides are great and don't mind helping, we have an understanding that if i help you, then you help me (teamwork!). Hopefully you have better experiences and good luck in your future job hunting!

Unfortunately I can't take a vacation, our schedule is already completed through the end of November. I normally work three shifts in a row but starting this coming week, my shifts will be spaced out so that should help with the frustration. I try to take care of myself as much as possible but sometimes I slip up with exercise and healthy food choices. And don't get me wrong, my coworkers are amazing. They are there to help out when the patient load becomes to much or when I'm busy with a new admit and my other patient is calling for pain meds. One of the main reasons I've stayed on my unit is because of my coworkers. They are always there to lend an ear or hear me out. We are a close bunch that are able to b***** to each other and we always have potlucks! I've reduced the amount of overtime, I usually try to do an extra shift every two weeks or at least once a month. I learned not to over do it. Thank you lig

Hi everyone, First post being on the site. I just want to say thank you to my fellow nurses for being open, honest, and extremely helpful with posts and comments. This site really helped inspire me during nursing school and my current job. As you can see from the title, I'm unsure of what to do with my current position. I have been an RN now for 11 months. I was a nurse's aide/nurse technician for a year while I was in nursing school. I graduated with a BSN. Anyway, I transitioned from a nurse's aide/nurse technician to a nurse on the same unit which is a medical surgical unit. I'm fed up with the way that myself and other coworkers are being treated. I feel burnt out and frustrated with my current position. I feel that my unit is understaffed most nights because nurse are expected to handle a full patient load with 6 patients to 1 nurse. I work on a 40 bed unit where we may have only 1 tech most nights and sometimes even no tech. Nurses are expected to do vital signs, baths, turn patients, blood glucose checks, answer call lights, bathroom assists, and medication passes. I understand all of the previously mentioned activities are a nurse's job and that some of these can be delegated to the tech. The problem is that there are other nurses that need the tech as well so most of the activities don't get performed on time. I feel that we are being forced to take on more and more tasks because they do not want to adequately staff the unit. For example, last night, the were 5 nurses on the unit with all of us having the maximum patient load of 6 patients. There was NO tech. The call lights were going off constantly and we also had a patient fall on the unit. This is our 3rd fall in the last 2 weeks. I'm concerned about the safety of the patients and the wellbeing of the staff. Most staff members have complained about how they feel burned out and do not like coming to work. Unfortunately, I am in the same boat. I feel overworked and that I am just a number. I feel as if staff opinions are not taken as seriously as they should be. I would like to ask a few questions to my fellow nurses because I am all ears!!! I am trying to move on from this unit but I don't want to leave before I have secured another job. I'm currently interested in the emergency department. How have you dealt with burnout? How did you handle this feeling until you found a new position? What tips do you have that would help me land another position? Er nurses- What are some things that stand out to you when you are hiring experience nurses? What kind of certifications are you looking for? I am BLS, ACLS, and PALS certified. I am currently working on becoming port certified. I am in a nurse practice council for my unit that helps develop new ideas to improve the unit. I have already had an idea implemented. The only experience that I have under my belt is medical surgical. I was also a nurse tech before finishing school. Thank you so much again for reading my post. Sorry that it turned into more of a rant but the shift I had last night was one of my worst. I've finally had enough. Looking to move forward in my nursing career:)