showing initiative for a NICU position

Specialties NICU

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So my dream has always been to work in a NICU. In nursing school I did an externship in a Level II NICU for 10 weeks and loved it..and hated to leave and go back to the big people nursing world. When I graduated I applied for a million NICU positions but had no luck. I emailed managers and tried to express my passion only to get the "good luck in your job search" emails in return. So I was offered and accepted a position at a large university hospital in a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. I tried to be passionate about this speciality (as many of my coworkers are) but I still just don't feel it. The past year that I have been employed there, I have TRIED to give this place a fair chance but I still miss and love the NICU. So I finally got a fire under my butt and decided it's time to make a change..the longer I stay in oncology the harder it will be to leave. So I applied for 3 Level III NICU openings at my facility and emailed the nurse manager with interest in transfering. We are now in the process of setting up an interview...just like that! :) i know i am at a disadvantage because of my oncology experience and i'm a little out of the game with babies...but i am willing to do what it takes. i was able to express this to her and luckily it worked out in my favor.

I am mostly just wanting to share my excitement but also wondered what peoples thoughts are on the situation. if a manager straight up tells you she is going to contact nurse recruitment to set an interview up and 3 days later nurse recruitment contacts you..obviously this is serious right?? if i rock the interview, the job should be mine?? :up:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Good luck. :)

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I wouldn't go in thinking the job should be yours if you rock the interview. Be confident but don't get broken hearted of you don't get it on this go around. Thank the manager for their time and ask them to keep you in mind for the next round of hiring. I had 3 great interviews before I got the job in my NICU. It's hard to ignore when you have nurses with baby experience vs the adult world. That being said, don't think for one second that working oncology puts you at a disadvantage. You have learned great skills that transfer to babies more than you think. Priorities, time management, physician communication, what is included in a good report, charting skills, muscle memory for things medication admin. and many more things. You may have to adapt some things. But you aren't starting from scratch. It's still quite a transition but at least you have some experience to fall back on. I think you are in a fine position, and your passion will carry you even further :)

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Farther? I can never remember...

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

We have to go thru HR and recruitment for all our potential hires. I always tell people don't count on having the job until they call to say so. And being an adult nurse only puts you at a disadvantage if the other candidates have previous NICU experience. Going into NICU is like being a new grad when you come from adults, we have "habits" that need broken lol.

Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Getting that interview is a crucial first step, so congrats on getting that far! I was a new grad and got hired in a Level 111 NICU in an urban environment. Some things I believe really helped me get the job (I was offered the position about a week after I interviewed in person). 1) I had applied for and completed a summer internship at a Pediatric hospital during a summer while I was attending nursing school. 2) After that summer internship was completed I was offered (and accepted) a position on the same unit while I completed school.

Going in to the interview/job I didn't have any certs aside from the basic BLS. My current certs I got after I started working here (NRP, S.T.A.B.L.E, and plan to go for even more).

I'd say one of the best things you can do is be yourself and let your personality shine. Answer their questions straightforward and honestly. If you don't know the answer to a question they ask, tell them so. Ask the interviewer(s) questions as well. Be familiar with the organization, their mission statement, current goals (Magnet journey, etc).

I went in to the interview confident, but still a little nervous, and I didn't think I was guaranteed to get the job. I was optimistic after the interview, but still was unsure if I would be offered the position. One of the interviewers asked me if I wanted to meet the WIHS Director after the interview was over (I definitely took that as a positive sign!). Best of luck to you and please let us know how it goes! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or ask. :yes:

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Thank you to those who replied..i guess i meant to say that my chances were pretty good for an interivew/job..not that i was guaranteed the job. i am very hopeful but know a lot goes in to selecting an employee and i hope that my passion will shine through :)

I actually was called while on vacation to come in for an interview..the earliest I was able to is this coming Wednesday! They specified that they wanted to interview me as soon as possible...so hopefully that is a good sign as well! I'm very excited for this possible oppurtunity and really want to "sell" myself well. Luckily, I am already an employee at this hospital, so I am familiar with their goals, mission, and what not.

This is a Level III NICU with three different "levels" based on acuity I guess..I think if I get hired I will start out in the "well-baby" part or at least the healthier feeders and growers and moved up. anyone have any idea how this might work?

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i got the job!!! :):):)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Congrats! Welcome to the best job you'll ever have. :)

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