help! having a hard time finding a job at NICU as an experienced RN

zeus&lincoln · Aug 2, 2015

I have been a NICU nurse since I was a new grad... Couldn't see myself doing anything else... In fact, I would have probably gone back to teaching had I not been fortunate enough to land a position with my babies right after graduation... However, there is a lot of hope... my unit definitely has experienced adult and peds nurses that are retrained to NICU. Sure, I've found that in the 3 NICUs I've worked, that they seem to prefer new grads because they can mold them into whoever they want and the nurses don't come into the unit with "adult" habits. But, you can absolutely be an awesome NICU nurse with adult experience. We have nurses who worked in the ED, OR, adult ICU, cardiology and even med-surg. It is totally doable. Don't let anyone tell you differently. If this is truly your passion, and I get a sense it is... Seek out any and all NICU opportunities. Try nursery or MB to get your feet wet with well-babies if NICU jobs are limited in your area. Good luck.

babynurse1234, BSN · Aug 3, 2015

Thanks zeus&lincoln! I just didn't have that advantage to get into a residency program when I graduated because we had to move to a very small town for my husband's job. The hospitals there didn't even have NICU's at all. but... thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to apply to every NICU I can here and still don't have a luck to get in then I might try mother baby or nursery like you said.. need to do anything to get my dream job.. :) One question for you though.. those experienced nurses who's hired there at your unit, do you know what kind of training they went through? did they pretty much go through what new graduates would or.. any idea? Thanks again! :)

zeus&lincoln · Aug 4, 2015

No unfortunately they received 6-10 weeks depending on the units they were coming from ...therefore a PICU nurse would ideally get less training time than an adult trained RN. However, on my unit this is really done case by case.

The GNs on my floor get 16 weeks of orientation with the possibility of extension should they or their preceptor think they need it. Also, GNs get weekly courses on key concepts in NICU, are prepared by doing several mock codes, receive NRP and STABLE by our educator away from the folks that are repeating these courses for renewal allowing them to get real hands-on training with the equipments and meds. I think our GNs are treated/trained extremely well. That's why I cringe sometimes at the lessened training of those "experienced RNs." I may be bias but I can certainly tell who was a GN in NICU vs someone that what trained later. I feel those girls really know the whys behind what they are doing... Because they were extensively trained! However, we have amazing nurses from all walks of life.

Michnurse03 · Aug 7, 2015

HI,

I'm in relatively the same boat you are. I have been a nurse for 13 yrs, with no acute care experience. I have worked in home health for most of my career and now want to get into the NICU. I will be applying in the next few weeks, so I'll see how it goes.

I volunteered at work to cross train to see NICU graduates that where going home - weight and feeding checks, which also provided an awesome opprotunity to learn about all the disease processes these little ones might face, like congenital heart defects etc. I found myself answering a lot of questions on breast feeding so I got my certification as a Lactation Counselor, I'm working on my IBCLC now- a more advanced certification for lactation. I am currently attending a class offered at UCI Medical center in Anaheim, CA - I had to pay out of pocket $1500, but I am in class with many of the new grads who have been hired in local hospitals. I am learning so much. I'm not sure what state you live in, but you might find a similar class. I also took a Labor and Delivery class, which again is formated to teach new grads or transferring nurses into labor and Delivery, I took STABLE, and NRP. I am currently working on my Low Risk Neonatal Nurse certificate. I was told by one of my NICU instructors to try to get into OB or Post Partum, then volunteer to float to other areas of the Perinatal dept. Many times you may be asked to float to the NICU, if they know you are interested, you might get your foot in the door. I strongly believe if I can show a hiring manager that I am invested in my career and training - that they might see that I am motivated and worth the money to train me. I have to tell you that the learning curve is wicked, Neonates are certainly not little adults. The more you can do now to learn the better you will do in the interview and you can show them that you are up for the challenge.

Good luck.

babynurse1234, BSN · Aug 10, 2015

HI,
I'm in relatively the same boat you are. I have been a nurse for 13 yrs, with no acute care experience. I have worked in home health for most of my career and now want to get into the NICU. I will be applying in the next few weeks, so I'll see how it goes.
I volunteered at work to cross train to see NICU graduates that where going home - weight and feeding checks, which also provided an awesome opprotunity to learn about all the disease processes these little ones might face, like congenital heart defects etc. I found myself answering a lot of questions on breast feeding so I got my certification as a Lactation Counselor, I'm working on my IBCLC now- a more advanced certification for lactation. I am currently attending a class offered at UCI Medical center in Anaheim, CA - I had to pay out of pocket $1500, but I am in class with many of the new grads who have been hired in local hospitals. I am learning so much. I'm not sure what state you live in, but you might find a similar class. I also took a Labor and Delivery class, which again is formated to teach new grads or transferring nurses into labor and Delivery, I took STABLE, and NRP. I am currently working on my Low Risk Neonatal Nurse certificate. I was told by one of my NICU instructors to try to get into OB or Post Partum, then volunteer to float to other areas of the Perinatal dept. Many times you may be asked to float to the NICU, if they know you are interested, you might get your foot in the door. I strongly believe if I can show a hiring manager that I am invested in my career and training - that they might see that I am motivated and worth the money to train me. I have to tell you that the learning curve is wicked, Neonates are certainly not little adults. The more you can do now to learn the better you will do in the interview and you can show them that you are up for the challenge.
Good luck.

Reading your post, I feel like I need way more preparation. I've applied to several more places but no luck. There are no places that are willing to train experienced nurses like they train new grads which is understandable. But it's frustrating.. I should start taking classes and get NRP and STABLE and as much as certificates related to NICU. And hopefully somebody is willing to hire me then.. good luck for you! Let me know when you get hired at NICU! I think you have a really good chance. I can see how passionate and comitted you are! You will be a great nicu nurse. Thanks for replying! :)

BabyRN1023 · Aug 28, 2015

What area do you live in? Currently, St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri is hiring a ton of people, since they are building a new NICU. They are mostly hiring new grads, but are also looking for experienced RNs. If you live in the area, or are willing to move, apply there! The hospital is a level IV NICU. The hospital itself is ranked in all 10 specialties by the US News World Health Report. They are Magnet certified and JCAHO accredited. It is partnered with Washington University, one of the top 3 medical schools in the country, so it is a teaching facility. There is so much to learn there, as they typically see the worst/most critical cases.

babynurse1234, BSN · Sep 3, 2015

BabyRN1023. That sounds nice! But we live far from st.louis and it's not feasible for us to move.. (my husband job etc...) i would've in a heartbeat if i was a single! Lol :) i might have a luck here with one hospital applied to. Thanks for the reply tho!! :)

Noel16 · Nov 17, 2015

Yes, indeed hard to find a NICU position. I have 7 years experience taking care of adults [med-surge, icu]. I am in FL and there is no hospital that would take you for NICU without 1-2 years experience. I have applied to 4 different ones and is very discouraging.

what should I do???....I got a CA license an I apply to 2 children's hospitals...I am waiting now, I will keep trying. I always wanted to do NICU, but my job opportunities showed up in adult settings and I took them. For better or worst...:)

__nurse_t · Nov 22, 2017

Do you have any advice for a new grad starting in the NICU?