NEW NICU RN

heatherp · Aug 6, 2009

Hi,
I will graduate in May of 2010 and would like to be hired in the NICU. I was wondering if you might tell me where you are located. In my area it seems to be very hard to get into the NICU as a new grad. Thanks and good luck!

I'm in northern California. It's very hard to get into ANY job as a new grad. The things that I think helped me were:

1. Doing my senior preceptorship in a NICU

2. I took NRP and STABLE during school

3. Volunteering in the NICU after between graduation and finding a job

4. Being a NICU mom (not exactly something you can, or would want, to plan or do, but I think it helped. LOL)

GOOD LUCK!

jlharris1 · Aug 6, 2009

Hi, thanks so much for your replies. EK- I am in Annapolis, MD and have actually beeen looking at Children's. You said that you applied in Dec but did not graduate until May. Was there a position available in Dec and they held it for you until you graduated? How does that work? Thanks for your help!

ittybabyRN, RN · Aug 8, 2009

Hi, thanks so much for your replies. EK- I am in Annapolis, MD and have actually beeen looking at Children's. You said that you applied in Dec but did not graduate until May. Was there a position available in Dec and they held it for you until you graduated? How does that work? Thanks for your help!

Hi, love to help,

Children's started listing their New Grad program positions in December, postings varied by department (some didn't show up until January/February). The new Grad program starts in August every year and it is a 6 month program, some departments start interviewing/hiring earlier than others. The nurse manager in the NICU told me that she started searching applicants in December and figured anyone applying for jobs that early was pretty dedicated. I applied right before winter break (around the 20th or so) I was called back the next day and interviewed in January during my break, I was offered the position on the spot. They gave me 30 days to make a decision (which was VERY generous, they knew that most places were not hiring or interviewing that early and gave me time to explore options). I was told that each year they take between 5-15 new grads in the NICU, it varies obviously by staff/funding and other things. I don't know yet how many people will be with me in the NICU but by the emails I have gotten I am estimating that only about 15-25 new grads were hired through the entire hospital so it can't be many. When you are on the Childrens website new grad positions are listed as "RN1". Take a look at the Childrens website under careers and nursing there is a section about internships, there it gives all the info about the program.

Good Luck!

jlharris1 · Aug 8, 2009

Hi, thanks so much for your help. I am actually going to Children's to interview for a newborn auditory screening tech position on Wed. I am not sure it will work out due to my weird schedule at school but the woman really wanted me to come in to talk and see if we could work something out. I am very hopeful. Do you think it would be too proactive to stop in and see the NICU manager while I am there. Or do you think I should just hold back until Dec? Would you maybe be able to give me her name? Let me know what you think and I hope you keep me posted on how everything goes as you get started. Good Luck!! Jade

babyNP., APRN · Aug 8, 2009

Her name is [PM for name] and any early contact is great to get your name in amongst all the applicants. The staff was told that there were over 200 applicants for this past hiring process and you want to do anything you can to stand out. Be persistent, but friendly.

I wouldn't suggest straight walking in as her office is located inside the unit and it is a locked unit, but definitely e-mail her or leave a message on her phone line. It should be listed somewhere on the Children's website. Good luck and I hope you get the auditory job!

ittybabyRN, RN · Aug 10, 2009

Hi, thanks so much for your help. I am actually going to Children's to interview for a newborn auditory screening tech position on Wed. I am not sure it will work out due to my weird schedule at school but the woman really wanted me to come in to talk and see if we could work something out. I am very hopeful. Do you think it would be too proactive to stop in and see the NICU manager while I am there. Or do you think I should just hold back until Dec? Would you maybe be able to give me her name? Let me know what you think and I hope you keep me posted on how everything goes as you get started. Good Luck!! Jade

Hi! Sorry it's been a few days, in the middle of moving! Anyways definitely take babyRN's advice, not even having started working yet I wouldn't feel comfortable make employee suggestions, especially of someone I don't actually know (no offense!).

Good Luck!

mixedfruit · Aug 11, 2009

hello and congrats to all! I am so excited for you! how did you make your resume stand out from the crowd? I have not worked as an aide, tech, etc.. and I only have clinical experience from school. any pointers? thank you!

ittybabyRN, RN · Aug 12, 2009

hello and congrats to all! I am so excited for you! how did you make your resume stand out from the crowd? I have not worked as an aide, tech, etc.. and I only have clinical experience from school. any pointers? thank you!

Well, for my resume I put anything on it that could be considered helpful I think. I included grad year and gpa, I included my clinical experiences, including my preceptorship in Pedi. I put my past three employment areas, one of which was an aid where I was part in cardiac icu/part cardiac stepdown, I also was a lifeguard, a recreation counselor and a nanny, under all of my jobs I included a brief job description adhering to a hint given to me, using action verbs ie: I taught, I cared for, I was responsible for, I learned etc. I included that I learned about and gained familiarity with a variety of intensive care machines. I gave examples of what I did (ekg's, vitals, private swimming lessons etc). I included awards I had won and clubs I belonged to. I was also a member of my schools D1 varsity rowing team for four years, in my cover letter I used examples of how that enabled me to engage in team work and advocating for myself with both nursing school professors and coaches. I put how I played intramural soccer and that I was a member of my schools nursing society.

Anything that shows how you have interacted with people, worked as a team player, had responsibilities or dedication to something no matter what it is helps, a sports coach, an aid, a mentor, any kind of past employment, something that makes you slightly different from the 200 other 3.8gpa, top of the class, aid/externship application because that is what hospitals are getting these days, too many very qualified applicants and they are looking for that something special and if it's not on paper they're not going to ask for an interview. I'm sure you can come up with something! Just make sure that when you read your resume you can see yourself right there on that paper, whatever it is that makes you special and unique, everyone has something!

mixedfruit · Aug 12, 2009

thank you for your informative response EKnicuRN! i will try to come up with something.