Hey May 06 grads..any of you seeking NICU?

student nurse amy · Nov 4, 2005

Hi All,

This is a great idea! I am graduating in May and i really hope to work in the nicu, possibly here in Phila. at the children's hosp. I start my OB rotation next weekend and i am so excited!

Good luck to everyone!

-Amy

Kalico · Nov 6, 2005

Hey all....as you can tell I am a May 06 grad as well. I am planning on interviewing in some hospitals in the Charlotte, NC area in December and will hopefully know where I am going by the end of January. A lot of places that I have talked to said that they hire their new grads in January and start them in June so hopefully I will know well before I graduate. I would love to get any advice from anyone and hear how everyone is doing with the job hunt.

Tiny1Nisolet · Nov 6, 2005

I have been looking at hospitals for a while. I try to get input from people who work there as well as keep an eye open towards their website. If you watch the website you have a really good idea the floors that have consistant openings. I also have taken time to compare orientations, loan reimbursments as well as other benefits that I might be interested in. The most important aspects for me are the orientation period, the atmosphere of the unit and the hours available (12 hour shifts as compared to 8 hours) I have shadowed in one of the places that I am considering and I plan to shadow in at least one more nicu on the holiday break. After I narrow my choices down to the top two, I plan on applying. Most of the hospitals here hire their new grads in Jan. This seemed really early to me too, but I do not want to miss out on a spot if they are looking. Lets keep in touch! Do you guys know where you will be precepting yet?

vegnurse21 · Nov 7, 2005

Hmm...I think we do our interviews usually around March-ish? So I have awhile...I'm really nervous about the interview! I'm young, only 19 so I've only interviewed for typically 'young' jobs haha. I didn't realize how close it was until I was casually talking with my advisor the other day about it. Yikes! I'm praying for a spot though! *crosses fingers for all of us!*

Anyways, what do yall think you'll be doing, eights or twelves? I'm really, really stuck on that one. On one hand I'd love to get all my hours done in three days, but that's a LOT of working. I think I'd like evening/night shift because there's less chaos and I'm more with it during those hours instead of the morning.

I'd be willing to keep in touch through email if anyone's interested as well! Just PM me for my email addy. :) I'd love to keep up with you all.

BethBSN · Nov 11, 2005

Hi! I'm a junior and I too am looking at the NICU's around St. Louis. The ones I had in mind were either at St. John's or Children's/Cardinal Glennon's. Which one have you found to be the best so far? I like that St. John's has a union, also what were their tuition assistance programs like (paying off student loans)? as well as how long their GN programs last....salary, etc. I think that it's never too late to start looking. Please post me back. What school do you go to too?

-Beth

Kalico · Nov 11, 2005

Hey all!! I just sent in my first job application. I am applying at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. The recruiter I talked to told me that I will have a phone interview within the next week or two and then I will have a face-to-face interview assuming everything goes well. If everything goes as planned, then I will have my face-to-face during my Christmas break. Wish me luck!!

Tiny1Nisolet · Nov 11, 2005

Hey all!! I just sent in my first job application. I am applying at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. The recruiter I talked to told me that I will have a phone interview within the next week or two and then I will have a face-to-face interview assuming everything goes well. If everything goes as planned, then I will have my face-to-face during my Christmas break. Wish me luck!!

That's great Kalico! Let us know how the tele goes. I would be interested to know what kind of questions you will be asked! Best wishes to you!

Tiny

Kalico · Nov 21, 2005

I have a phone interview with Charlotte Medical Centers on November 30. I'm kinda nervous but I know things will go well. I'll let everyone know how it went, what I was asked, etc. Wish me luck everyone.

ShannonSRN · Nov 21, 2005

Hey there! I am also a May 2006 graduate. Unfortunatly I am in a geographically challenged area. I will have to travel an hour to get close to the NICU. We have a Level II NICU, but they do not hire new grads. I have worked in L&D for 5 yrs, so hopefully I will have some sort of "leg up" for a GN position in the NICU at Arnold Palmer Hospital or Florida Hospital. My phone calls and resumes are circulating, and my fingers are crossed!!

vegnurse21 · Nov 22, 2005

Hey, I was just wondering if any of you are running into any units that are requiring a certain GPA to go into NICU? I know that some of the adult critical care areas require a 3.0-3.5 (it varies) around here, but I wasn't sure if it applied to NICU as well. I know it will vary as well depending on location, but I was just wondering if anyone else knew anything about this.

cc_nurse · Nov 22, 2005

Yes! *raising hand* :)

One of our local NICU's is expanding so I was able to interview this past September for a position next summer. I was beyond happy when they offered me a position. I will also be working there per diem starting next month as a PSNA (professional student nurses aide). It's a great opportunity.

Tiny1Nisolet · Nov 23, 2005

Yes! *raising hand* :)
One of our local NICU's is expanding so I was able to interview this past September for a position next summer. I was beyond happy when they offered me a position. I will also be working there per diem starting next month as a PSNA (professional student nurses aide). It's a great opportunity.

WAHOO for you!! That is amazing, you have a job already. What was the interview like? Can you share some of the questions we should be prepared to answer. I think as we interview we should give each other hints and tips. I will probably start applying as soon as we get through finals. I don't really have a lot of time until then.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!