Experienced in 2 specialties. What are my chances for NICU?

[Seas]

Hello everybody,

I have 1.5 year of surgical telemetry straight out of nursing school, and 1 year of mother baby experience after that. I plan to apply and hopefully switch to NICU. I have my BSN and am currently in school to get my MSN.

What do you all think my chances are to be hired in the NICU? Do NICU managers hire/prefer any of that experience over some others if no NICU experience?

[babyNP., APRN]

Unfortunately, it's a bit of a crapshoot.

In my experience in my region, having discussed the issue of hiring new grads vs experienced non-NICU RNs with other NICU RNs in the area, academic centers tend to hire new grads more and traditional hospitals tend to hire the latter. It is in no way universal...and the most interesting thing is that at my academic center, we have much better luck with new grads versus experienced RNs. And the other hospitals tell me that they have much better luck with experienced non-NICU RNs.

Call up the hospital and ask is all I can really tell you. The mother/baby experience should enhance your chances, though, IMO.