What should I know for MICU interview?

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

Hello ICU nurses,

I have a job interview coming up in the MICU, I currently work on a cardiac telemetry unit and I have only been a nurse for a year now. What information do you think will be asked in my interview so I can review them prior to the interview?

On my unit we do get a few drips such as, Cardizem for decreasing HR, Dopamine used to Increase BP and diuresis, Dobutamine, Nitro, Heparin, and Amiodarone. But that's not on a daily basis, so I am not that familiar with all the actions and side effects the drug can do, I normally have to ask or use my drug book when I have pt on one of these drugs. What should I be prepared for?

[poppy07]

When I interviewed for ICU, their questions were pretty in-depth...

For example) situation, what did you do about it, and what were the results/your evaluation... for every single question.

So, basically think of general interview questions, and apply this to it. If you practice, you should be pretty set!

Here's a few:

Tell about the sickest patient/very complex patient and what were your goals/priorities, what did you do, and how did it all work out...

Tell about a time you dealt with a colleague who didn't do their share of the work, and how you handled it. (this is a really good one b/c it pinpoints that generic question: what kind of people do you have a hard time working with, and looks at how you ACTUALLy work with them).

Pts in the ICU can be pretty sick, how do you handle this info and relate it to the family?

Why did you want to be a nurse (of course!)

What do you do when you have a crashing patient and a lot of **** is going wrong (put directly)? Can you give an example, and how did you handle it?

[poppy07]

p.s. I'd be interested to hear your answers! I'll try to help with some feedback. : )