New grad, new NICU job!

Molemedic, MSN, EMT-P, NP · Sep 15, 2015

Break out those nursing textbooks and brush up on neonates. Nursing school tends to focus mainly on adults. If you can you should get PALS certified.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Sep 15, 2015

You don't need PALs at most NICU jobs. Almost all incorporate NRP and STABLE into their programs. Order Merstein and Gardner, great book.

marypoppins08 · Sep 15, 2015

Thanks for the responses! NRP And STABLE are incorporated in my orientation. I definitely want to study and was hoping for books to check out! Thank you!!!

citybsnrn08 · Sep 16, 2015

Bring a pocket calculator, lots of formula to remember but nothing too complicated. It will be overwhelming at first but do not freak out it happens to everyone. Merenstein-Gardner's is like the bible of nicu. Definitely read on the Respiratory (and types of resp. support) topic. It is a very detail oriented field, your patients are so little even the tiniest mistake will greatly affect them. Do not take the intensive part lightly. Research on NEC, brush up on ABG interpretations, always keep your babies warm but not too warm. And learn to do every task with one hand (because your other hand is always holding the patient *they're stronger than u think they are) í ½í¸‰ -was a new Graduate straight to Nicu nurse too. Good luck and congrats! You'll love it!!!

studentnicu · Sep 18, 2015

This gives me so much hope! Im hoping to be in your position in just over a year. (I know, ages away).

You must be astounding at what you do to be offered this job as a new grad. May I ask how on earth you did this!?

í ½í¸„

ahs2015 · Sep 18, 2015

I was also going to ask how you got a NICU job as a new grad. It's one of my goals but I have heard it's difficult to get into NICU as a new grad. Any advice or tips you have would be appreciated.

marypoppins08 · Sep 19, 2015

I was also going to ask how you got a NICU job as a new grad. It's one of my goals but I have heard it's difficult to get into NICU as a new grad. Any advice or tips you have would be appreciated.

It's been my goal and dream for a long time! So in nursing school, I did my capstone project about NICU babies, and did four total clinicals in a NICU. I currently work with infants, and have worked with kids for a long time. I somehow found a new grad NICU position online and applied! In my cover letter, I talked about my capstone project and my passion for this population. I got a call, had an interview, and an hour and a half after I got home from the interview, I got a call with an offer!

Personally, the few NICU managers I have talked to say they can teach skill, but not passion. I also believe being very prepared for the interview helped. I researched the hospital, etc. I hope you find your dream job too!

citybsnrn08 · Sep 19, 2015

Lots of hospitals are now starting to offer new grad mentorships. Its a 6-12 weeks program depending on your progress (specialty units expect 12 weeks) which is great for no hospital experience nurses! some programs maybe unpaid though but for new grads (who are mostly still staying with their parents) it is a doable option. It may not be the best offer financial wise but with the fierce competition for new grads what is 12 weeks when after that you can land a nurse job in your dream area. Come to think of it, 12 weeks of unpaid orientation is way better for a new nurse rather than having that very short 1-2weeks of paid orientation, believe me I've seen a lot of emotional breakdowns from new nurses after a day of being by themselves. Anyway hospitals with 12 hour shifts you are only required to work 3 days a week. The other 4 days will give u time for a part time job temporarily while you are on the unpaid mentorship. New grads look out for open houses and job fairs for these kind of programs

marypoppins08 · Sep 20, 2015

You don't need PALs at most NICU jobs. Almost all incorporate NRP and STABLE into their programs. Order Merstein and Gardner, great book.

Ordered that book! Started reading and I am learning so much! Finding it so helpful, interesting, and relevant! I have never been this excited to read a textbook before haha! So thank you so much!

Une Infirmiere, BSN, RN · Sep 20, 2015

Hi Marypoppins08!

I'm a new grad starting in NICU too!!

Our stories is kind of very similar except I have never set foot in the NICU. I have been looking around for textbooks to prepare. The new edition of Merenstein & Garner is over a 100 bucks!!!!!! Unfortunately I came out very broke from Nursing School..I was wandering if there was a cheaper alternative...at least until I get a paycheck. Do you know of any? What edition did you get? Thank you.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Sep 21, 2015

My advice is to get a preceptorship/ externship in a NICU. We hire quite a few new grads for our NICU. All of the new grad hires, except for me have been local and all of us have done their senior preceptorships on the unit or was a unit secretary through nursing school. I came from out of state and did my senior externship at another Level IV NICU. If you can get a preceptorship and are willing to relocate, we hire every 3-6 months because we are a very large unit (300 nurses) and have a steady stream of nurses getting their NP and moving on, so we need to replace them.

New hires are provided 12 weeks or orientation which consists of classroom and one on one preceptorships.