How can I prepare for NICU while in nursing school?

Specialties NICU

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Specializes in Emergency.

I'm currently in an ASN program in FL and have a couple questions. Is it going to be practically impossible to build experience with just my ASN in the NICU, as in, will any NICU ever take me with only an ASN? Since I probably won't be able to get in NICU as a first job, where do RN's work first to get experience for NICU? What can I do in school to increase my chances of getting a NICU job? Have any of you started out in NICU fresh out of school? I get worried because this seems to be a popular specialty and it discourages me since NICU nurses don't tend to leave plus the abundance of new grads having trouble finding jobs.

Thanks so much.

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Specializes in NICU.

I graduated in August with my BSN. I had a 135 hr.Senior Capstone placement at a Level IV NICU. I have two upcoming interviews in the next 2 weeks with 2 different hospitals. One is a Level IV NICU and the other is a special care nursery (Level II) associated with a Level IV NICU. I am not sure if it is possible to get into NICU with an associate's degree.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Look for Nurse Tech jobs in the NICU. I have an interview for one this week.

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Totally possible to get into the NICU with an ADN.

Depending on how soon your graduation is, I second the above poster- apply for a tech or secretarial position in a local NICU. That'll get your foot in the door and hopefully score new grad awesomeness.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Totally possible to get into the NICU with an ADN.

Depending on how soon your graduation is, I second the above poster- apply for a tech or secretarial position in a local NICU. That'll get your foot in the door and hopefully score new grad awesomeness.

Thanks! I hope so. There actually is an opening now in a huge hospital and they take you with a semester of clinical rotation done but mine ends Dec 9th so I was thinking of going ahead and applying because by the time they even get to processing it'll be done. What do you think would be a good area to tech in as a backup if I can't get in NICU?

And thank you Miiki SN, congrats.

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I have PM'd you.

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Totally possible to get into the NICU with an ADN.

Depending on how soon your graduation is, I second the above poster- apply for a tech or secretarial position in a local NICU. That'll get your foot in the door and hopefully score new grad awesomeness.

Yep, totally possible. I started in a Level IIIc NICU right after graduating with my ADN. Just need to find the right hospital and start networking hard until you can get recommendations.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Not here in the Northeastern US.... I have applied and applied they all want BSN! Depends on where you live.

HPRN

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These posts are really helpful! I tried to figure out how to PM some of you, but I'm new to this site and having trouble. I'm applying to nursing school and my dream is to work in the Special Care Nursery of a local hospital. I'd love some advice on hospital networking and applying for a job as a unit secretary in the NICU, outside of just submitting a resume on the website. I know this will take a lot of networking, and would appreciate any advice on what has been a successful approach for you. Thanks!

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Specializes in NICU.

I am a new BSN grad (I graduated in August) and started working in a level III NICU last month. It is not impossible to get NICU right out of school! I cannot speak much regarding ASN vs. BSN and getting into a NICU, but I would think it would just be dependent of the hospital you apply to! Most of the hospitals in my area have magnet status and are really pushing for BSN prepared nurses, but it truly is different everywhere you go.

I did not have the opportunity to do my practicum in the NICU, but if you have that option it would definitely be beneficial for you when applying for NICU positions. We do not have nurse techs at the NICU I work at, but you could also look into volunteering as a cuddler in a NICU, or even volunteering with children somewhere which would show you are very interested in working in that specialty.

NICU is a hard specialty to get into, so make sure you are doing your best in school. Use your school's resources to help edit and perfect your resume and interviewing skills. Don't give up, it's not impossible!

Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Check all the places websites you want to apply to work at. Most of the Magnet hospitals want BSN only. In my state there is a huge push for BSN only and my hospital is hiring BSN only. I wish you luck!!

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Specializes in NICU.

If most of the hospitals are magnet status and want BSN prepared nurses you could also consider going straight back to get your BSN. If you have on your application you have been accepted to a BSN program and plan to complete it in X amount of time they may still consider you!

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