[Justine_]

Hey there,

I'm a new grad and I've got a job in the NICU...I'd suggest looking up all the hospitals in your area and then calling up the managers. You can always apply through the website, but I've found it infinitely more helpful to e-mail/call the manager to see what's really happening--that's how I got my job. (and my nurse tech job, come to think of it)

Also, if you're willing to go out-of-state, that'd help out a lot. I knew I wanted to go out-of-state, so I looked up a bunch of different children's hospitals and flew out for interviews.

If you're not able to get in right away, I'd suggest Labor and Delivery as an alternative for the interim period as that is what some of the NICU nurses I worked with at my senior practicum did.

Good luck! I hope you make it in!

[future nicu nurse]

I'm very happy to learn that I could actually work in the NICU right after I graduate. I was a little worried. I was told I need to do one year of med surg. But I know NICU is where I want to be.

[Justine_]

What a myth! Why do you need med-surg skills in order to work with babies? I think it's because we have such a shortage in that area that they're trying to trick you into it!

I worked on a trauma surgery floor as a nurse tech and did my practicum on a NICU and it didn't help me. Babies are a COMPLETELY different population.

That being said, I'm not a "real nurse" yet, so my opinion may not be valid...

[SteveRN21]

Thanks to the nursing shortage, and many excellent new grad orientation programs, the "year of med surg" requirement is no longer necessary.

While med surg is a great place to hone your time management, charting and critical thinking skills, NICU is a whole other ball of wax. We had several ex-MS/ICU nurse join us in my last unit, and after a few months, became excellent NICU nurses.

[zoobyli]

Well, I just got an interview today for ICU. I still haven't heard anything from the NICU I applied too except email saying that the position that I applied for is filled. Today there was another opening posted, so I applied for it. My interview for ICU is next week and its with the same hospital system. If I get the job it will at least get my foot in the door and I can possibly do an internal transfer sometime down the road. Now my dream would be for NICU to call on monday and offer me an interview as well. What ever happens I'm not burning bridges to a chance to get into the hospital

[aviator411]

Zoobyli,

Come on up to Michigan; plenty of NICU jobs for new RN's up here, especially with your LPN experience!

Sent you PM w details.

John

[Jessy_RN]

Originally Posted by SteveRN21

Thanks to the nursing shortage, and many excellent new grad orientation programs, the "year of med surg" requirement is no longer necessary.

While med surg is a great place to hone your time management, charting and critical thinking skills, NICU is a whole other ball of wax. We had several ex-MS/ICU nurse join us in my last unit, and after a few months, became excellent NICU nurses.

So glad to hear! I never even bothered applying to NICU as a new grad as it was clear and evident that they did not hire new grads (unfortunately). I was still hesitant to apply with only 10 months MS experience for fear of rejection, but thankfully I got in.

Too bad we are the only hospital in a 250 mile radius.......pretty much have no choice here

I hope I am one of those that does well and that my MS skills help in some way....lol

[zoobyli]

Well I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. I called yesterday both to the HR department and the Nurse Recruiters Office. HR said they would follow up with the manager in question and the Nurse Recruiters Office said I should be getting a call (hopefully) this week about one of the NICU positions I applied for. At this point I'll take whatever I get, but if this falls through I definately will start applying to every NICU I can within a reasonable drive from KY.

[aviator411]

Originally Posted by zoobyli

Well I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. I called yesterday both to the HR department and the Nurse Recruiters Office. HR said they would follow up with the manager in question and the Nurse Recruiters Office said I should be getting a call (hopefully) this week about one of the NICU positions I applied for. At this point I'll take whatever I get, but if this falls through I definately will start applying to every NICU I can within a reasonable drive from KY.

Zoobyli,

At least you're now aware of some other places which hire new grads in their NICU's so you should be able to use this knowledge as "leverage" in your local interviews. You can tell them "I'd rather work here but it doesn't make any sense to invest a year or two working outside the NICU somewhere to satisfy your requirements when I can go somewhere else and start right away and receive better pay and benefits.

Good luck, I know you'll get it done!

[zoobyli]

I am glad I don't actually HAVE to work another unit before transferring a NICU. My problem is that IF UK does fall through, I need to find a place that can also help with relocation expenses. Which is the #1 problem I will face if attempting to go out of state, heck even IN my home state it will be a problem.