New Graduate Nurse

Specialties NICU

Published

Hi everyone!

I just graduated with my BSN in December from a nursing school in Ohio. When I graduated I moved to Tracy California (near San Francisco) to be with my husband. I am enrolled in a BSN-DNP program specializing in NNP. I LOVED everything about the NICU and I understand in looking for a job as a new graduate, many places will not hire into specialty areas. I worked as a nursing assistant in the float pool for 2 years while finishing my degree so I am not without experience in working in a hospital. Does anyone know of any hospitals that would hire a new graduate nurse (preferably into a NICU)? In order to begin clinicals in my DNP program I have to have worked for 2 years in a level III nursery. This puts me at a disadvantage, but I love neonatology and I'm not willing to give up. I am a member of AWHONN, NANN, and ANN. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (At this point, I am even willing to look into hospitals in other states if I could find a NICU position). Thanks everyone!

Kayla Van Sloun, BSN

[email protected]

I graduated with an RN, BSN in August 2010. I have a previous Bachelor's degree in Pre-Med/Kinesiology and I am nearly done with my Masters in Public Health. I have been working temporary jobs such as flu clinics, school nurse, and managing a health center at a summer camp. I have humanitarian medical experience working in Africa, Central & South America, two disaster relief trips in Haiti, a medical internship in India, and work experience as an RN in the Swiss Alps and northern England (accompanying medical staff for hiking expeditions). I have applied to every nursing position I can possibly find on online forums for the past two years and cannot find a clinical hospital position anywhere. I am licensed in CA, CO, and NY. I am bilingual and nearly fluent in Spanish. I have done everything I possibly can to market myself to this job market, and no one wants me!!

I am just perplexed about whether after two years of non-acute nursing experience I still classify as a "new grad" despite my experience. I need to get into a hospital/clinical setting to gain the experience I need for NP school. I have such high ambitions for myself, and feel like I have immense and dynamic experience, but it does not meet the rigid requirements defined by hospitals.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Specializes in Antepartm and Mother-Baby.

I am going to be in the same position as you (when I graduate in Dec 2013). I originally dreamed of being a Neonatologist, but when I thought further of it I decided I would much rather prefer being a NICU nurse and later getting my NNP. It's been a dream of mine since I was 14.

I don't really have any advice or any recommendations on where to apply, all I can say is put out as many applications as you can. I know the NICU at our local hospital hires 1 or 2 new graduates every year, and that they actually prefer to hire new grads who will be staying in the NICU field for their career so they can really specialize in their knowledge. And one of my friends got a job in the NICU right after graduation, another got an opportunity to do Labor & Delivery/NICU.

Good luck!

How do you all like the NICU so far as new grads , Any input would be great

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