Men in Neonatal nursing

Specialties NICU

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Hello all!

I am new to allnurses and am changing from pre-med to go the nursing route. I have realized where my passion in healthcare is and after shadowing a NICU nurse it is there. I am new to everything nursing related and wanted to know what the job prospect is for new RN grads wanting to get into the NICU. I know it is a highly coveted department and people try for years to get in. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in NICU.

The answer is across the spectrum. Some will say that it is a hard specialty to get into as a new grad and others will say that it is possible to get into NICU as a new grad. I graduated last August and applied to about 50 NICU openings in 12 states. I had only 2 interviews out of those 50. I was offered a position at a very large Level IV NICU. I don't know if being male had any factor in their decision. So, it is possible to get a NICU position as a new grad, in fact, the group of six new hires after me was entirely new grads. I do not know how large the application pool was that those six were chosen from. The larger NICUs have established classroom and preceptorship programs to help you learn the job, so they are more likely to hire new grads.

Look into New Grad residencies in NICU or Peds with an option to go into NICU. The other alternative is a Special Care Nursery position. They are between a well-born nursery and a NICU. You would have a foot in the door for an internal move into the NICU.

If you are willing to move to Ky. Send me a PM when you graduate. We need more testosterone in the unit.

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Kentucky?? oh wow... Do they even pay RNs enough down there? Im kinda interested, but do you think its worth moving from NYC to Kentucky for the job?

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Specializes in NICU.

^^ I guess it depends on how much you want what you want. I wanted a NICU job as a new grad RN and moved to the other side of the country for it. Right now I'm a new NNP and I've been known to stay late knowing that a baby needing a procedure (that I need to get to be checked off) will be coming or spending extra time in the delivery center to get more deliveries. It's important for me to get this stuff nailed down now so that I can just "maintain" my skills later. I don't think you should sacrifice everything for your job, of course, but early in your career, sometimes you have to make tougher choices to get ahead in the game.

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Specializes in L&D, OBED, NICU, Lactation.

I went into NICU as a new grad back in 2006 at one of the larger children's hospitals. I'm glad I did it because it helped me get my foot in the door for L&D. If you're ever interested in Texas, let me know as well. We have a few guys in our moderately sized NICU, but Texas Children's has even more and that is a MASSIVE NICU with an excellent new grad program.

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I went into NICU as a new grad back in 2006 at one of the larger children's hospitals. I'm glad I did it because it helped me get my foot in the door for L&D. If you're ever interested in Texas, let me know as well. We have a few guys in our moderately sized NICU, but Texas Children's has even more and that is a MASSIVE NICU with an excellent new grad program.

I am definitely interested in Texas. don't mean to hijack the thread though I just figured making a completely different post about being an aspiring male NICU nurse would be redundant. I'm located in Florida and currently completing my preceptorship( capstone experience) in a level III NICU

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We have guys in our NICU, some of our best nurses! I came to the NICU as a new grad through our Children's Hospital Residency/Versant program. It can be done. Good Luck to you!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I'd recommend applying to every hospital with a NICU position in NYC and the burbs. We hire several new grads here in our NICU. Most managers I feel actually prefer new grads over seasoned nurses from other departments, because there are no bad habits to unlearn, and let's face it...NICU is unlike any other floor or unit.

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I'm one of three guys in my NICU and was the first in about 7 years when I started. I started as a new grad, which is the route I would definitely recommend if you intend to stay there for the long haul. NICU is an entirely different world and it's best to start there from the beginning IMO. Definitely look at Children's Hospitals and major teaching hospitals as they are the most likely to have new grad residency programs.

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Thanks for all of your responses!!! I just had another quick question. What is the approximate smart for a new grad NICU male nurse in the NYC/urban area?

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Hi nicuguy, do you mind sending me a pm with some more information about your hospital?I can't send PM's yet.. Thanks

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