New Grad NICU Support Thread

Specialties NICU

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Calling all New Grad NICU nurses...thanks to a thread started by NurseDevonL, we have decided to start a support group. Hopefully some of our more experienced NICU nurses will look in every so often to lend some support and knowledge as well. Welcome!

niculove:yeah:

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

S. Texas.

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Congrats to all the new grads! I'm extremely JEALOUS. I've had my license since March 2010 and haven't been able to land my dream job in a NICU! Any suggestions? How was everyone able to start there fresh out of school?! Pass on your secrets! LOL.

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Bortaz, I am located in central Virginia. I am willing to relocate somewhat, but I am married so my husband has to either be able to relocate or commute. It is difficult to get a new grad position here in a NICU but I am determined to get there. So any secrets/advice are welcomed!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I've decided to give NICU a try again. I'm not considered a new grad anymore, but I'm going to keep trying anyway. I've even joined the AACN to help the networking.

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Im a new grad. I got my license July 2011. I have an interview next tuesday in a NICU in a perfect location. I am super nervous. Wish me luck :yeah:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Good luck!

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I am a recent grad taking my boards in Sept. I had my 1st NICU interview today at the hospital I would lover to work at. They are looking at 7-8 applicants for 1 spot. I should know by next Friday. I feel like I'm going to go crazy waiting to find out. I want this position badly. I felt I did well on the interview which was a peer interview with several nurses. At the end of the interview I ask what are the qualities they are looking for in a NICU nurse, and they all said everything you told us is what we are looking for. So, I'm hoping that is a good sign. I also completed my preceptorship in a NICU (not at the same hospital). They also told me they love to hire new grads. Anyone's opinion on what my chances are?? =)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

1 out of 8, I'd say.

J/K, I wish you luck.

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Specializes in LTC, NICU, Med-surg.

Hello AN family, I was offered a RN NICU position in a level III Children's Hospital yesterday. I am so grateful and excited to finally have this opportunity. To all of those that are desiring a position in NICU, please don't give up, persistence and prayers is what did it for me and I'm sure will do the same for you.:yeah:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I updated my NICU brainsheets and uploaded them again to the following storage site. Feel free to use them if you'd like.

http://www.mediafire.com/?pqpuwb038a70o

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Hello,

I am starting my first RN job next monday. It is in the NICU level 3. I am sooo excited, and nervous too! Does anyone have any advice on what type of book I could get to help me before I start nicu orentation?

Thanks so much! goodluck to everyone on here starting a new job too :)

Jewls67

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Congrats, jewls67. The most popular NICU reference book is Merenstein and Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care.

Others to consider:

Gomella's Neonatology - focused on medical dx and tx; less of the practical stuff like developmental care

Assisted Ventilation of the Neonate by Goldsmith and Karotkin - complex in parts, but thorough; an understanding of ventilator modes can be a weakness for many NICU nurses

Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation - peek at a copy of it - one of your docs should have it; cool pics and short descriptions of the most common syndromes, associations and sequences

You may want to verify that my links lead to the current editions of these books. Good luck to ya!

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