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I am a nursing student set to graduate in a few months. I have been applying for jobs and starting to interview. I want to work towards going into the NICU are NICU prefers not to hire new graduates. Does anyone have any input on the best track to work towards the NICU.

Specializes in NICU.

Go to Indeed.com and search for "new grad residency NICU". A residency is the most direct route for a new grad. The larger NICUs are more willing to hire new grads due to their established orientation program to get new nurses and experienced nurses without NICU experience up to speed on the unique environment. In addition, search for Special Care Nursery positions. That would be a stepping stone to a NICU.

There are several of us in the NICU forum that have gotten NICU jobs as a new grad. I come off a 12 week orientation as a new grad on Friday and will be on my own Saturday night. I work at a very large level IV NICU, so it is possible to get a NICU position as a new grad.

If you want to move to KY. We will be having another group hire into the NICU in June or July. We hired 7 in January (6 experienced nurses and 1 new grad, me) and 6 in February (all new grads, some did externships in the unit).

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I want to work towards going into the NICU are NICU prefers not to hire new graduates. Does anyone have any input on the best track to work towards the NICU.
New grads are hired into the NICU all the time, but depending on where you are located, you might need to relocate to turn your goal into a reality.
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