Book for new grad in NICU

jpeters84 · Jun 16, 2012

Hi all! I'm extremely happy to say that I received a job offer for a Level III NICU position! I've been working towards this since before I even entered nursing school and I couldn't be more grateful
I searched these threads and saw that Merenstein and Gardner's Handbook of NIC is recommended for new grads. Is that still the case? I'm looking to buy one really good book.

It really comes down to personal preference. I much prefer the Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. It's expensive but it's likely what you'll use for review for you're certification (when you're ready) and I found it much more user friendly as a new grad than merenstein and gardner. I would wait before you buy and either check them out at a library or ask to borrow from an educator and see which one you prefer before purchasing. I tried to study before I hit the floor but until you're there getting experience it was hard to place the information in the right context so don't worry too much about hitting the books before you start. Good luck!

RoseRyan · Jun 16, 2012

Hi all! I'm extremely happy to say that I received a job offer for a Level III NICU position! I've been working towards this since before I even entered nursing school and I couldn't be more grateful :pI searched these threads and saw that Merenstein and Gardner's Handbook of NIC is recommended for new grads. Is that still the case? I'm looking to buy one really good book.

I dont have ny advice about books, but I'd like to say congrats! What did you do to make yourself appealing to the NICU? I'm graduating in a few weeks and im trying to pursue the NICU, but I'm not quite sure where to start

heartNICU · Jun 17, 2012

Just want to pop in and say congrats!!!

champagnesupeRNova · Jun 17, 2012

Thank you all!

RoseRyan, I did my senior preceptorship in the NICU and got about 240 hours of experience there. I think that's the main thing that led to an interview. I also e-mailed and called the DON of the unit (she never responded but I'm sure she remembered my name when they were making final decisions after the interviews). I was also really enthusiastic about NICU throughout school and requested to spend a day in the special care nursery when I did my OB rotation and that request was granted. My OB instructor wrote me a letter of recommendation for the NICU job and mentioned how passionate I was about NICU and related that experience. I also researched the facility I was interviewing at and mentioned specific things about the institution during the interview. I would suggest trying to get any experience you can in NICU - even if its volunteering - and highlight that on your resume.

champagnesupeRNova · Jun 17, 2012

Oops just to clarify, I got the job at a hospital different from the one where I did my preceptorship