Stressed and Unsure of what to do

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello! I've been using this forum a lot throughout nursing school and thought maybe I could get some advice ������

I graduated in December with my BSN and took my NCLEX yesterday (waiting on my results!). I am a planner and had wanted to have a job lined up before I had taken my exam. I am very interested in the NICU and have always wanted a NICU position. I had been told throughout nursing school that I should just go for adults and try the NICU when I had experience. That wasn't going to cut it and I started applying to any and all new grad programs around the country with NICU positions. I live in MA where we are SATURATED with nurses and really big hospitals so I had put it in my head that I probably won't be able to get a NICU job in my state and that I was fine with moving. I had some interviews and was offered three NICU positions. I turned down two because they were just too far for me to move. The third NICU position is in a Washington DC hospital. I had verbally accepted the position but haven't yet signed anything.

My dilemma is I have been contacted by a hospital in Boston with a Level 3 NICU. They want to interview me! The interview would be scheduled a few days after I am suppose to go to DC and sign the hospital contract and sign a lease for an apartment. I would also have to work on starting the process of getting my DC license (by endorsement) if I passed. My offer is contingent on me getting a DC license by the end of the month (start date). This move is happening so fast for me and I also feel I am not financially stable or ready to make a move this big (I don't know anyone down there). I felt that way when I accepted the position, but it was a NICU position in a city I wouldn't mind living in.

I am kind of leaning towards asking to see if DC can push my start date back to give me time to get my license but also it would give me time to interview at this hospital at home. I'm just not sure if I am being to big of a risk taker. I have an offer but still waiting on a license that I may not get in time or should I hold off to see what comes from this interview in MA?

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You could see if Boston could move up your interview, explain your dilemma to them? I imagine new grad NICU positions are in very high demand in the US and personally would worry about Washington moving onto the next applicant if you can't start when they want you to. Particularly if it's a new grad position with say a group of 5 starting. They would have the orientation class starting on a specific date so then you would be behind the group so hey wouldn't be able to orientate you. My NICU orientation was very structured so you needed to start on the same date as everyone else to be at all the classes and presentations. But at the end of the day you know yourself best and whether you can handle such a life changing move. You have to be happy with your decision, it's just unfortunate that it has to be made under such pressure.

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Just to be clear you are considering giving up a sure job in an extremely tight job market and a highly sought after specialty for a maybe job? :speechless:

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I have a job offer but I still don't have a DC license which will be the bigger obstacle I think.

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Specializes in NICU.

Really, your only safe option is to tell the Boston hospital that you have an offer in DC and while you would prefer to work in Boston, you would need to interview before the D.C. start date. Most likely they will understand and move it up. No way will the D.C. job will push back your start date because you will be starting with other new grads and the cycle of lectures is already set- you will likely be in with a group of other new grads for NICU and generally the cycles are a couple of times a year, not continuously cycled.

I suppose if Boston declines to move up the interview you could always wait and see if you get your D.C. license in time and if not, just go to the Boston interview at the already set time. You couldn't sign a lease until you knew for sure either way...

Above all, don't lose your chance to be in the nicu just because the conditions aren't ideal. We can't always have all the conditions we want especially when we have no leverage (being a new grad). A few years experience and you can write your own ticket most anywhere.

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Congrats on the job offer and the interview offer! I agree with seeing if you can interview in Boston earlier.

From personal experience it took 50+ days to get my DC Nursing license by endorsement. I started the process in early February and had to show up in person twice to the DC Board of Nursing to get my license just in time to start my job the beginning of April! I hope their process is more efficient now.

If if you have questions about NICU nursing in DC let me know :)

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Thanks RNnicu4 í ½í¸Š

The DC hospital was actually understanding and pushed my start date back to the next cycle of new grads. I'm still offered a NICU position. I did schedule an interview with the Boston hospital this coming week. I can only hope for the best. If I do end up in DC, I'll be sure to send you a message!

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Hi,

I am so jealous of you! I am not a new grad, but I have been applying for NICU jobs in the MA and NH areas for a few years now with no luck! Is it the BIDMC new grad NICU position you are interviewing for? Just wondering as I applied for that as well, even though I am not a new grad. Good luck and i hope you get it!

Annie

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