New Grad NICU Support Thread

Specialties NICU

Published

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 NICU, Infection Control.

Neofax: http://www.amazon.com/Neofax-Thomson-Reuters-Clinical-Editorial/dp/1563637898/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317526686&sr=1-1

That and Merenstein are pretty essential. The others that Eric linked are pricey, check if the unit has copies of them before buying. Don't forget to take 'em off your taxes! ;)

Best wishes!

Specializes in NICU Nurse.

I just read through this whole thread and I am so inspired to become a nurse and eventually work in the NICU!

I am going to start a nursing program next August so I won't graduate for a few years but for now I am volunteering at a local hospital and am training to volunteer in the NICU. Hopefully this will turn into getting a PCT job in the NICU too. I was born at 24 weeks so I feel that I belong in the NICU giving hope to those small babies and their families!

Hi I am in my senior year of nursing. Next semester is my last semester and I will hopefully be put into a NICU for 350 hours of clinical rotation with a nurse preceptor.

What can I do to prepare myself ie any textbooks or nursing journals?

Also anything I can do to get an advantage on getting a job in a NICU after graduation?

Specializes in ER, Public Health, Community, PMHNP.

Hi all

I think this thread is great im a proud mommy of a 25 weeker, who is now 1 year adjusted and 15 months actual. I have not been practicing for a few years but im relocating to New York and will be doing nclex soon. So hopefully ill be contributing as a mom of a micro prem and also a RN in NICU.

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Welcome, Agiboma.

Specializes in ER, Public Health, Community, PMHNP.
Welcome, Agiboma.

Thank you. I'm looking forward to many interesting discussions

I am graduating in 26 days from nursing school...trying to make this dream of being a NICU nurse a reality. I was fortunate enough to complete a 10-week summer externship in a Level II NICU and it has only made me work harder and become more passionate about working in a NICU one day. Throughout nursing school I have never really liked any clinical rotation and the idea of being a NICU nurse at the end of all this is my driving force for graduating and becoming a nurse. In my area there are several large hospitals with Level III NICU's but many of them are not hiring or want experience (at least 5 years!)...so it has been discouraging when applying for jobs because I am trying to hold out for that dream job but then again I have to apply for others just in case. So last night I was in bed and thinking about my job search and I decided to stop worrying and just be patient..if I am meant to be a NICU nurse then it will come to me, I have done everything that I can. Then this morning a NICU position in a Level III was posted online in a hospital that hires New Grads! I can only hope that this is a good sign for things to come. I applied today and hoping that this is IT...part of me has a good feeling about it but I don't want to jump the gun too quick. I just need as many prayers and well wishes as I can get. When I think of my career I just CANNOT imagine taking care of adults...I am sure some of you know what I mean :) So anyway, I was wondering...does anyone know if you can become S.T.A.B.L.E or NRP certified as a student? I won't be taking NCLEX until January but would like to go ahead and try to get these certifications if it will make me look better on paper...haha :D

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

It's often said on here that you shouldn't bother with STABLE or NRP until you've been in the NICU for a bit. Reason being that you'll have no frame of reference with which to compare what you're learning, as you frankly don't know anything about NICU. NICU is not learned in nursing school.

Most hospitals don't even send you to the classes until 90 days for NRP and up to 1 year for STABLE, for this very same reason.

I agree with the part about being unable to even imagine working with adults, though!

Hi everyone! I had an interview today in the NICU and I think that it went really well! The manager said I should hear from them in the next few weeks. Does anyone have any thoughts on if I should send a thank you letter or email? I wasn't sure...

Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

I took STABLE, cardiac STABLE, and NRP right out of school. I did not have trouble keeping up. I would suggest getting the books ahead of time and reviewing though.

It is great to read everyone's comments and soak up suggestions given here. I am currently fulfilling my pre-reqs and hope to get into my nursing program starting in Fall 2012. I am very passionate about pregnancy and babies and my eventual goal is either NICU or L&D. So exciting to be starting school again:)

Specializes in CNA.

Same here dkmamato3

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