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

Specialties NICU

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Hello all,

I just thought it might be intersting to see if there are any other 05/06 grads out there who plan to start out in the NICU? :nurse: I thought it might be fun to keep in touch and talk about looking for jobs, how our interviews go and what kind of orientation the different units offer. What do you guys think? Any takers...

Specializes in NICU, GYN.

Hey guys! I just accepted my first job as an RN in a level III NICU in Charleston, WV. I graduate in May of this year and I start my job the first week of June. I am beyond excited....and a lil nervous! Good luck to all of those hoping to work in a NICU! :D

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Specializes in NICN.
Hey guys! I just accepted my first job as an RN in a level III NICU in Charleston, WV. I graduate in May of this year and I start my job the first week of June. I am beyond excited....and a lil nervous! Good luck to all of those hoping to work in a NICU! :D

Congratulations!!! That is so exciting! I interviewed with a level III/IV depending on how you want to classify it. They do everything and are the recieving hospital for all NICU babies for the western part of NC, and parts of 4 surrounding states. How long after you interviewed did you have to wait to hear back from them? I'm so excited that it seems like forever even though it's only been a week!

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Specializes in NICN.

I have 2 job offers from the hospital that I interviewed with over Christmas Break!! They are both in pediatric stepdown units so it's not exactly what I want but I am still waiting to hear back from the NICU nurse manager that I interviewed with. Here's a question for those of you that may know: When the recruiter called me today to tell me about the job offers she said that the NICU NM wanted to postpone making a decision about whether to extend a job offer to me until after she has interviewed a few more people. She told me that the NM has only told her for sure about the people that she will not be extending a job offer to. The recruiter told me that if NICU is really where I want to be than she will speak with the NM directly and let her know that there are two departments wanting me but NICU is where I really want to be. The recruiter said she should be able to get a definite answer for me. I am a little worried that the NM may be likely to say no if she is pressured to make a decision. What do you guys think?

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Specializes in NICU.
I am a little worried that the NM may be likely to say no if she is pressured to make a decision. What do you guys think?

Well, if it was YOU calling and pressuring her to make a decision, I think that she might get annoyed and say no. BUT since it's HR calling and saying that you have two other units waiting for answers but that you want to find out about the NICU because it's your first choice, it's not a bad thing. However, you said she wasn't finished interviewing yet, and if she is still in that process when HR calls her, she'll probably still be undecided. So it could go either way. She wants to be fair and interview everyone - it benefits her to see what's out there. You'll probably just have to tell the other units that you are still considering their offers as long as you can while you wait for the NICU manager to make up her mind.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

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Specializes in NICU.

I think Gompers makes some great points. If it were me, I would wait until I heard back from NICU. My personal thought is that I will only accept other offers if I have no chance of getting into NICU. Is there any way the HR person can find out what kind of time frame the NM from the NICU is looking at? If you knew that, you could let the other departments know that you are considering their offer, but you are still finishing the interview that you had scheduled so that you are able to see what is out there and where your best fit is. Just my 2 cents. Let us know what happens.

I got called yesterday for an interview from my 3rd choice hospital. I am still awaiting a call from my number 1 and 2 choices, but I expect to hear from them anytime. I was hoping to have all of my interviewing done before school starts but since we start on Tues., I guess that is not going to happen.

Also Kalico, tell me more about the interviews? Were they more formal or informal?

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Specializes in NICN.
I think Gompers makes some great points. If it were me, I would wait until I heard back from NICU. My personal thought is that I will only accept other offers if I have no chance of getting into NICU. Is there any way the HR person can find out what kind of time frame the NM from the NICU is looking at? If you knew that, you could let the other departments know that you are considering their offer, but you are still finishing the interview that you had scheduled so that you are able to see what is out there and where your best fit is. Just my 2 cents. Let us know what happens.

I got called yesterday for an interview from my 3rd choice hospital. I am still awaiting a call from my number 1 and 2 choices, but I expect to hear from them anytime. I was hoping to have all of my interviewing done before school starts but since we start on Tues., I guess that is not going to happen.

Also Kalico, tell me more about the interviews? Were they more formal or informal?

My NICU interview was my first interview. I got to the unit and the manager immediately took me to the family waiting room where they generally give parents bad news. She told me all about their unit and how orientation works. She asked me what made me decide to be a nurse and why I wanted to work in NICU. She only asked me one other question and I can't remember what it was so I don't know if that is a good thing or not. I do know that she told the recruiter that she really liked me and the recruiter said that I would know if she already knew she didn't want to hire me so I know that is not the case.

My second interview was with the PICU. This interview was a little crazy. I called up to the unit before my interview and ended up waiting in the lobby for about thirty minutes before someone came down to escort me to the unit. Once on the unit I had to wait another 20 minutes for the manager to finish trying to find staff to cover next shift as most had the flu. When we finally went to the report room to begin our interview a kid on the floor coded and died. It was almost like something was telling me I shouldn't be there! lol She ended up asking me a ton of questions about why I wanted to be a nurse, why PICU, etc. She threw in a couple of patient care scenarios and asked me what I would be sure to do first. If you are asked any of these questions just remember your ABC's. I was also asked what my fellow students would say about me if asked. I was asked about a time when I was disappointed with myself and what I would do different. I was asked to rate myself on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best in the following categories: Reliability, ability to handle stress, time management, leadership, teamwork, and a couple others that I can't quite recall. I was asked what I see myself doing 3-5 years from now.

My third and final interview was with the Pediatric department. The interview went well and all of the questions were pretty much the same as the PICU interview.

After the interview, each department had a floor nurse take me around and show me the unit as well as answer any questions that I had for them. It was nice to see everything and get a floor nurse's opinion on the hospital. It was also a very nice experience overall. I was greeted warmly by all the staff including doctors and residents that were on each floor. All of the nurses made a point to say hi! It was quite a difference to the quiet disdain that I receive often in clinicals! I have heard back from the PICU and Pediatric nurse managers and am just waiting to hear back from the NICU manager.

My advice to those of you getting ready to interview is to take a deep breath and relax. Let your self shine and let them know why you want to work for them. Be honest, when asked about my time management skills I rated myself at a 2 out of 4! I hope you guys have a great experience like I did and enjoy this new stage in your life!

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Specializes in NICN.
Well, if it was YOU calling and pressuring her to make a decision, I think that she might get annoyed and say no. BUT since it's HR calling and saying that you have two other units waiting for answers but that you want to find out about the NICU because it's your first choice, it's not a bad thing. However, you said she wasn't finished interviewing yet, and if she is still in that process when HR calls her, she'll probably still be undecided. So it could go either way. She wants to be fair and interview everyone - it benefits her to see what's out there. You'll probably just have to tell the other units that you are still considering their offers as long as you can while you wait for the NICU manager to make up her mind.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

You said the same thing I was already thinking!! I did tell the recruiter that I would like to wait on the offers that I have now until I hear back from the NICU and she said that wouldn't be a problem. She seems to think that I will have an answer tomorrow and that by her asking the NICU manager about it won't cause the manager to say no. This hospital started hiring new grads back in September so they have all interviewed quite a few people already. I feel blessed to have the two offers that I do have and am praying that I will get an offer for the NICU as well because that is where my heart and soul is. I do know that I will be able to apply to transfer to NICU after 6 months if I am hired into a different department so I will take the PICU offer if I don't receive an offer from the NICU. The recruiter seems to think that when the NICU manager hears that I have two other managers persuing me she will probably extend an offer as well. The good thing is I haven't been ruled out yet!

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Specializes in NICU.

Good luck!!!! Fingers crossed for you...

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Specializes in NICU.

Wishing you the best as well!

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Specializes in NICU.

good luck in your last semester, fellow students. :nurse: :flowersfo we are almost there! :w00t: :biggringi are any of you doing your precepting in the nicu this semester? i start tomorrow and i can hardly wait!

best wishes,

tiny1

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Specializes in NICN.

I GOT THE NICU JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!

I finally have my first RN job. I will be working at a level III/IV NICU in Charlotte, NC. I cannot wait! I graduate May 19 and will start as soon as I take my boards. I'm hoping to be able to take them as soon as possible so I can start by the beginning of July at the absolute latest.

I hope everyone is having a great final semester! Have fun and keep us posted on interview status!

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Specializes in NICU.
I GOT THE NICU JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!

I finally have my first RN job. I will be working at a level III/IV NICU in Charlotte, NC. I cannot wait! I graduate May 19 and will start as soon as I take my boards. I'm hoping to be able to take them as soon as possible so I can start by the beginning of July at the absolute latest.

I hope everyone is having a great final semester! Have fun and keep us posted on interview status!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!! :nurse:

Welcome to the world of NICU nursing! I knew your patience would pay off.

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