Nurse Residency Programs

Specialties NICU

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

How prevalent are Nurse Residency programs? I have found a few hospitals that have it or something similar, especially for NICU and other critical care areas. Some are called Nurse Internships. Any other names? They sound like a good way for us New Grads to get off to a good start on the units we want to work on.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

The hospital I started at has one. They started the program last year for their PICU/CICU/NICU GN's, and have sense expanded it to include GN's for all areas. I'm really looking forward to it.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I wonder how many more programs like it are out there? I am trying to find a job in a NICU and think these programs are great IF you can get into them. One place I read is very competative.

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

We have one where I work. I did not participate in it, but from what I heard from the girls I work with that have, it was not very helpful.

What my hospital does is rotate new grads who have chosen adult areas through the adult ICUs and the ED, and then at the end of the program (1 year) they choose where they want to go. The new grads that choose peds go to peds/peds heme-onc/PICU. The NICU people stay in the NICU. They have to meet with the whole group of nurse residents twice a month, and they have projects (homework).

I don't think that it is very helpful to those nurses who have chosen NICU, because all new grads get the same orientation, whether they are in the residency program or not. All of my coworkers who participated in the program hated it, because in addition to learning new things on the unit, they also have these projects and homework, plus some are studying for their boards. Everyone else likes it, because they get to go to a bunch of different areas and then choose where to work after a year.

I suppose that if you find a program that rotates you through different units, and you are unsure of exactly where you want to work it would be good. If you want to be in NICU, just make sure you will be getting a good orientation, whether you are in a residency program or not.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

That is a good point, most of the ones I've read about do rotate you through different areas. Others don't and gear it towards where your working. Since I know I want NICU going to see other areas isn't going to help me any. I interviewed for a PICU position months ago and they get at least a 6 month orientation for the New Grads and its geared to PICU. I assume the NICU is the same, but I have yet to even get an interview for that :-(

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.
We have one where I work. I did not participate in it, but from what I heard from the girls I work with that have, it was not very helpful.

What my hospital does is rotate new grads who have chosen adult areas through the adult ICUs and the ED, and then at the end of the program (1 year) they choose where they want to go. The new grads that choose peds go to peds/peds heme-onc/PICU. The NICU people stay in the NICU. They have to meet with the whole group of nurse residents twice a month, and they have projects (homework).

I don't think that it is very helpful to those nurses who have chosen NICU, because all new grads get the same orientation, whether they are in the residency program or not. All of my coworkers who participated in the program hated it, because in addition to learning new things on the unit, they also have these projects and homework, plus some are studying for their boards. Everyone else likes it, because they get to go to a bunch of different areas and then choose where to work after a year.

I suppose that if you find a program that rotates you through different units, and you are unsure of exactly where you want to work it would be good. If you want to be in NICU, just make sure you will be getting a good orientation, whether you are in a residency program or not.

Good luck!

This is a very good point. Some I've researched do have you rotate through different units, some don't and gear it towards you unit. Since I know I want NICU, rotating to Adult Acute care isn't going to help me any. And extra homework on top of the critical care course, I don't think so. Btw does NICU do a critical care course similar to adult icu, only geared towards neonates?

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

My residency program doesn't rotate us through other floors, we are geared up for the floor we will be working on. We do attend training classes with all of the GN's though.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I just got a phone call today from one hospital I was considering in Georgia, they put all new grads through the nurse residency program but it is geared towards the unit assigned. Unfortunately the next class is not until Jan and they won't begin interviewing until October so that one is a bust :sniff:

Oh well.....

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Specializes in pediatrics, oncology.
preemieRNkate, may i ask where you work?
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Specializes in Level III NICU.
preemieRNkate, may i ask where you work?

You have PM.

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Specializes in NICU, Mother-Baby, Peds.

I am returning to work as an RN in 1 week after an 8 year hiatus. I will be on a NICU Internship for 16weeks. I have 3+ years experience (at this hospital) in Mother-Baby and Peds, but I've never worked in the NICU. They hired several of us, and I believe most are NG with a few of re-entry nurses. I think it is a great idea for both types of RNs. This hospital has Internships in numerous departments.

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Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

Disneyfan, where are you at? You can send me a PM if you like.

Good luck to you for both your return and the new position :-)

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