Any new grad RNs in NICU?

samantha0890 · Jul 7, 2012

I am a new grad in a level 3 NICU. I've been on the unit for 5 days so far (not in a row of course) and loving every minute. I haven't made it to the big unit yet, they are starting us off with the babies that are to go home soon. My nerves still get to me a little, and i could use some feeding tip advice because sometimes I can't get my babies to PO feed or burp...but my preceptor is excellent at it..maybe the babies just don't like me lol!!

During my interview, the supervisor offered me the job on the spot! Luckily, or I would have been a nervous wreck waiting! I'm sure you will find out very soon!!

Kayla.J.RN · Jul 7, 2012

Thanks Samantha0890, I hope that I hear back this week. If I don't hear anything before this Friday I am going to call to follow up. This week wasn't really a full week so it's still early.

Congratulations on your position in NICU. Soak up all you can during your orientation. I'm sure with more practice you'll get better at feeding the babies. Don't let your nerves get to you. :)

Plover1 · Jul 10, 2012

Hi everyone.I recently graduated with my BSN in May 2012 and passed my NCLEX on June 26th. I have been applying to jobs since April and finally got a call from the Nurse Manager of a level III NICU in the hospital where I have been working now for a year. I applied for the position on Wednesday and got a call a few hours later that same day. (I think that's a good sign)The NICU nurse manager already knows me because she and the L&D manager interviewed me for my externship position last summer. I am employed as a Patient Care Tech in Labor & Delivery and I was also the Nurse Extern on L&D last summer. Besides L&D... I also have experience in a preceptorship in the PICU which was part of my clinicals for my last semester of senior year. The experience I had with infants in this critical care setting as well as my experience with newborns in L&D and postpartum has strengthened my desire to pursue a career as an RN in NICU.This is truly my dream job and I would love nothing more than to work in NICU. I had my interview on Friday with the nurse manager and think it went really well, but I am nervous about my qualifications and wonder if she might decide to pick an experience nurse (in any setting) over a new grad.So I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has gotten a position in NICU as a new grad... and if you wouldn't mind sharing how you got there. ???I have already written and sent a thank you letter to the manager and I am crossing my fingers! She said she still has three more people to interview and would probably be hiring someone after the fourth of July...

Took two weeks to hear a reply. They actually said we would hear something in one week. Then I called at the beginning of 2nd week and she just said we would hear something soon. And about two daysi later I received a call. So I hope you hear some good news soon.

RN4theTiny · Jul 10, 2012

I started in the NICU. Did a 12 week orientation. I think you should call to follow up sooner rather than later. I did and said I wanted to let them know I was still very interested in the job and to thank them verbally again for the opportunity. I was hired the next day.

Good luck. The NICU is an incredible place to work.

Kayla.J.RN · Jul 11, 2012

I just checked the NJ BON website and found out I now have a valid RN licence number.

I am going to follow up first thing tomorrow about the position, so I hope it goes well.

Kayla.J.RN · Jul 13, 2012

I called the nurse manager to follow up about the position on Wednesday and she told me that the position has been filled. She decided to hire someone with more experience.

However, she also told me that there is another full-time NICU position opening up on nights. So I am still being considered for this position. But I am nervous that she will decide to hire another RN with experience.

I'm pretty bummed out about this and am feeling so discouraged. I don't think there is anything I can do at this point but sit and wait... and hope that I get the second open position.

As a former Nurse Extern at this hospital, I thought that I would have a job by now.

FilledWLove · Jul 24, 2012

I called the nurse manager to follow up about the position on Wednesday and she told me that the position has been filled. She decided to hire someone with more experience.
However, she also told me that there is another full-time NICU position opening up on nights. So I am still being considered for this position. But I am nervous that she will decide to hire another RN with experience.
I'm pretty bummed out about this and am feeling so discouraged. I don't think there is anything I can do at this point but sit and wait... and hope that I get the second open position.
As a former Nurse Extern at this hospital, I thought that I would have a job by now.

Don't be discouraged and don't give up hope! I am trying to get a NICU new grad position as well. It's my dream! I think that it's great that there is another position that is opening up that they are considering you for and the fact that she even mentioned it to you is great news! Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2012

i finally have an interview, unfortunately not nicu. however it is in the same hospital system that has 2 level 3 nicu's. if i can get this job i can finally learn what it is to work as an rn, learn time management and just finally get working, establish myself as a good employee; then eventually attempt to transfer to nicu. the is also a new grad program beginning with this same system that i'm also hoping to get. that one the new nurse floats to different units while working with a recruiter to find a "home". you get a lot of different experiences while trying to find your fit. i'm really hoping for an interview for the new grad program as well, but at this point beggars can't be to choosy.

Kayla.J.RN · Jul 25, 2012

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. I'm happy to say that I have been offered a full-time night RN position on Labor & Delivery! It's the same unit where I did my Nurse Externship last summer and have been working as a PCA for one year. I am very excited about this position because I am passionate about OB and neonatology. I still get to work with newborns and if I decide that I still want to pursue NICU, I can always transfer later on after I get my few years experience in L&D.

But I think everything worked out for the best because as a new graduate I feel more comfortable learning in an environment that I am already familiar with. I have gained a lot of knowledge and skill about L&D over the course of a year. I know all of the nurses and doctors on L&D and I get along great with staff. Everyone is so supportive of me and are telling me that they are excited that I will soon be joining their team.

Good luck FilledWLove and WildcatFanRN, I'm sure you guys will get in NICU if you keep trying. If not, get the RN experience where you can, because as far as I'm concerned any experience is good experience. Everyone has to start somewhere.