Interviewing Tips!

So you've just graduated from nursing school (HUGE CONGRATS!). . .now the REAL work begins. . .from studying for the NCLEX to filling out job applications and last but not least---interviewing, interviewing and MORE interviewing!! As a new nurse, I have not forgotten the fear, anxiety and anticipation associated with going on your first interview for a position as a Registered Nurse. It is easy to feel discouraged when you are rejected from this place, that place AND that place! But keep your head up, stay focused and be PERSISTENT! You will find a job! In the meantime, I am going to share some tips that helped me land a position in the ICU!

1. Show no fear--you got this!

During an interview for the ICU or any area really you are typically asked general questions like: why critical care and how do you handle stress? You may also have some questions specifically in regards to the hospital or facility you are applying to and few situational questions in regards to teamwork, time management and solving conflict scenarios. There's no rocket science here! Just do your research and practice answering different situational questions. There are tons of these type of posts online if you need practice in this area. 

2. Be honest!
 Lets not forget the almighty strengths and weakness question! One important thing to remember with this question is to be honest and realistic.. for example, PLEASE do not give the played out 'weakness-but-still-strength-answer of--> "My weakness is I'm a perfectionist etc etc..." because that's really not a weakness and is used by... hmmm.. everybody! Managers like to hear REAL weaknesses like 'I'm not good a delegating (which is fine you are NEW)' or 'I'd like to work on my critical thinking skills (also FINE these things take time to  develop).. just take some time to self-reflect and be honest above all. 
  
3. Don't overthink it!
As a NEW nurse, the most important concept to remember when interviewing for an ICU or anywhere for that matter is managers don't want someone who thinks they "know it all" because that will for sure get you a rejection.. what they do look for is someone who is open, eager to learn and easy to work with so they can mold you into their own "competent-critical-thinking-nurse"! Last but not least always arrive early and come dressed professionally! You can do this! Goodluck!


                  "How I looked during my first interview!"

(Disclaimer: The clinical suggestions, advice and recommendations described on sicunurse.blogspot.com are based on my personal opinions and are not medical advice. The content is for entertainment purposes only. I, surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create any of the animations above. I did create the captions written above and below them, customizing them to my experiences along with learning tips I have found helpful in my practice).

ECGs & P-QRS-Ts!

This week marks the start of our Dysrhythmia course. . .AKA learning how to read the squiggly lines you see on the monitor or red graph paper in the hospital. In short, an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the electrical activity of the heart through placement of leads that attach to little stickers called electrodes. At my nursing school, I am glad we were required to know the basics of how to read an ECG before starting our last semester. It makes this course a lot LESS intimidating. ECG readings vary based on their rate, rhythm and regularity. When an ECG is abnormal it is called a dysrhythmia. There are several types of dysrhythmias that can occur, hence the purpose of this course, which is why it is important for critical care nurses to learn how to read an ECG. In this introductory course, we are only required to know how to read ECG's in two leads, V1 and Lead II (most popular). In a critical care setting, heart activity is constantly being watched through a 5-lead bedside monitor so any abnormal rhythms can be identified immediately. A 12-lead ECG might be required if there is an abnormality detected in a 5-lead. 12-lead ECGs give a more detailed picture of what is going on with the heart. Practice reading ECG strips by clicking the link labeled "ECGs easy as 1-2-3" to the left of this post if you're up for the challenge!

"A, B, C, D. .P - Q R S - T. .U, V, W, X, Y and Z"

 "When my patients ECG converts from normal sinus to A.fib w/RVR at shift change"

(Disclaimer: The clinical suggestions, advice and recommendations described on sicunurse.blogspot.com are based on my personal opinions and are not medical advice. The content is for entertainment purposes only. I, surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create any of the animations above. I did create the captions written above and below them, customizing them to my experiences along with learning tips I have found helpful in my practice).

CRRT, CVVHDF & ARF...Oh my!!

In addition to ECCO, we learned how to run Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)... In our unit, we are trained to independently use CRRT machines with patients who may require treatment. What is CRRT you ask? In short, it is typically used in a critical care setting for patients who suffer from acute renal failure (ARF), so in other words, it temporarily acts as the body's 'mechanical kidneys' until kidney function is restored. It filters toxins and replaces any depleted electrolytes through diffusion (movement of solutes from area of high concentration to low), convection (solute drag=movement of solutes with water) and ultrafiltration (movement of fluid through a semipermeable membrane). Some indications for using CRRT are hyperkalemia, toxin removal or volume overload. It has four main modes of treatment: CVVHDF, CVVHD, CVVH, SCUF and can run continuously over 72 hours. Patients on this machine usually require 1:1 care because the machine must be monitored closely for any adjustments or changes in the patients care. To learn more about CRRT and the machine we use on my unit click here.

"How I felt after learning how to work a CRRT machine"

(Disclaimer: The clinical suggestions, advice and recommendations described on sicunurse.blogspot.com are based on my personal opinions and are not medical advice. The content is for entertainment purposes only. I, surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create any of the animations above. I did create the captions written above and below them, customizing them to my experiences along with learning tips I have found helpful in my practice).

ECCO not ECHO!

This week I finished ECCO AKA my critical care orientation.. ECCO is the critical care orientation required for new graduates in our residency program. It involves online modules that allow new ICU nurses a more in-depth explanation of different conditions (Shock, sepsis, acute renal failure, etc.), procedures (moderate sedation, central line dressing changes etc.), and equipment (hemodynamic monitoring, chest tubes, ventilators etc.) frequently used in a critical care setting. The orientation is about a month long with about ten different modules provided by the American Association of Critical Care Nursing. While completing these modules, I am still required to perform 24 clinical hours on the floor each week. 
                                           
                 "After completing my last module!"

Upon completion, each module counts towards 2.0 continuing education (CE) credit. Next year, a certain number of these credits will be a requirement for registered nurses (RN's) to obtain annually. The requirements differ state to state but, to learn more about CE requirements for RN's in the state of Georgia, click here.

To help with the huge learning curve in critical care, I purchased "The ICU Book" by Paul Marino because I've heard it is a great resource for new critical care nurses. It gives the in-depth pathophysiology of different pathways and interventions used in an ICU setting.

               "New critical care nurses be like"

(Disclaimer: The clinical suggestions, advice and recommendations described on sicunurse.blogspot.com are based on my personal opinions and are not medical advice. The content is for entertainment purposes only. I, surgicalnurse.blogspot.com, do not own, nor did I create any of the animations above. I did create the captions written above and below them, customizing them to my experiences along with learning tips I have found helpful in my practice).