What's the key to getting hired as a NICU nurse?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 12, 2014

I graduate in August with my BSN. I am currently doing a senior capstone placement (135 clinical hours) at a Level IV NICU at the children's hospital. They require a BSN to work there. Most job postings are either requiring a BSN or prefer BSN. Many are not hiring new grads into NICU. I may have to start out in a Special Care Nursery (Level 2) and get experience before getting a Level 3 or 4 NICU. You may be able to get a nursery or a Special Care nursery job with a ASN and then work on your BSN while you gain experience.

whyistherumgone · Jun 13, 2014

This is a good question. I am exactly the same way. I am in my first term of Nursing school and believe in being completely open to all areas, but I've wanted to be a NICU nurse since I was a teenager. I'm 35 now--I got a little late start into Nursing. lol I have yet to find a definitive answer. I've been told a BSN is a must and then someone else told me that wasn't true. Maybe it depends on the hospital. I understand that I might not get to be with the sick babies at first, but I definitely want to know what the best steps are to ultimately achieve that goal!

ctabs14, MSN · Jun 13, 2014

I was hired as a new grad in the NICU at a local hospital a couple months ago and officially start this Monday! They had around 1800 applicants for the NICU at all of the hospitals in their network. Only two hospitals were hiring. The hospital I was hired at was only accepting 4 GNs.

I received my Bachelor's, which is preferred in my hospital system, but not a requirement. I also worked as a CNA/student nurse tech in the Children's Hospital in the town where I went to school, worked as a student nurse at a children's camp for two summers, and have had other previous experience in nursing homes. During my interview, I was able to really draw from those experiences, and the manager and nurses who interviewed me were really impressed by the experience I had.

hayloftbham · Jun 14, 2014

Get a tech or secretary job in the NICU while you're in nursing school so the mgmt get to know you

Linz175 · Jun 14, 2014

Thank you for the input!

Don1984- that's pretty good advice! I haven't heard of a special care nursery position before. I'll be looking that up today and see what hospitals around me have them. I have a bachelors degree in film and plan to be in debt for a decent amount of time so the idea of going to school LONGER is painful-but I'll suck it up for a job that I really want. Also around here-once you are hired the hospital will pay for additional school, so that's a pretty good option.

Jennjax- good luck with school! I'm 27 so definitely a bit past my prime school years as well :) I'm in bio now and I feel like an old lady with everyone fresh out of high school! haha I've seen people post that they didn't have a bachelors when they went into the NICU. I was just hoping that MAYBE that was common? I guess we will both find out!

ctBSN14- awesome! Those are really great ideas on how to get some good points on a resume! I never thought about student nursing at a summer camp. I'm still a little nervous about getting another job like a CNA because I would have to quit my job as a nanny and I LOVE it plus I'm close to the family I will have to really consider that soon though.....

hayloftbham- That's a good idea too! I was just thinking of finding a manager one a unit that interests me and find out how I can help out (even on a volunteer basis.) But yes, getting to know management would be key!

Thanks :)

DaniellaHumphreys · Jun 25, 2014

Honestly it's really hard to get into the NICU as a new graduate nurse unless you were a CNA in the childbirth center but I know NICU usually wants nurses who have worked with babies/children before. The best way to get into a NICU position is to start off in Postpartum. The reason I say Postpartum is because you work with mothers whojust gave birth and well babies. In post partum not only are you taking care of the mother and getting that adult nursing experience but you also learn how to examine the baby to make sure nothing is wrong and doing baby assessments which is skills you would need anyway for NICU. You also get to learn how to talk to parents concerning their newborn child. Typically the L&D, postpartum, and NICU are all connected departments so it's easier to transition from one department to another after a year of working in one of them. Also, from what I've seen postpartum does hire new graduates.

Source: I work in Postpartum.

thenightnurse456 · Jun 25, 2014

99% before you even start nursing school?

NICU isn't the happy sunshine place so many non nurses think it is. "Oh you get to hug babies all day". Umm not quite!

It's intense emotionally and mentally and often times very depressing. If your 99% sure before you start nursing school go for it but remember to keep an open mind in all your clinical rotations.

I've had friends go into nursing school saying "all I want to do is work with babies/children" thinking it's all rainbows, high fives and stickers whilst watching disney movies- then they start on the floor as a grad and reality sinks in: sick babies/children with chronic debilitating illnesses, poor outcomes and don't forget the parents/family members!

Don't get me wrong it can be EXTREMELY rewarding but it's tough. I don't think a lot of undergrads get that.

This isn't a negative flaming post OP, just sharing experiences. :) all the best with school and your NICU dream.

Linz175 · Jun 25, 2014

Daniella - Thank you! That is very good advice. I am definitely willing to start somewhere else the will give me things I need to prepare for the NICU and hopefully get hired. I can see how all the aspects of postpartum fit in. Thank you again!

nightnurse - Thank you for your input. Don't worry I don't think any of those things. Although I must say it's a real downer when I'm really happy to know what I want (for once!) and the "that's what everyone wants to do", "You don't just play with and hold babies all day" comes right after. I'm actually dreading the class where we all say what field we are interested in because I feel the teacher will judge me as one of "those" students. I hate that what I want is the most popular-I usually like to go against the grain. It's also disappointed that any nursing student interested in pediatrics/NICU get puts down for wanting it at some point. *Ok, sorry! My rant is done!*

But yes, I totally understand what you're saying. There's probably a decent amount of people that do believe it's easy, fun and you get to hold babies all day. I'll definitely be keeping an open mind to other fields. What I like most about the idea of NICU nursing is; Getting to comfort the parents-building a relationship with them, understanding the in's & out's of disorders and complications, building a trust with the doctors, and talking to and soothing babies. I like to be relied on :)

Thanks again :)