Am I being realistic?

Nurses Career Support

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Hey all,

Times are tough. Jobs are seemingly getting harder to come by. And I, MORE THAN ANYTHING, want a position in my home town children's hospital PICU. I work in a Level III NICU now as a patient care tech... but I'm just itching to get my hands in PICU! There are only 1 job opening at present. The pressure is on.

(Last summer I applied for a highly coveted NICU externship-- I was one of 3 who got the job, so I guess I did something right!)

So... I'm graduating in May (YESSSS!) and am going through the daunting application process. Am I being realistic in thinking I would be a possible candidate for a peds position with NO OTHER EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN? I mean, I know I would... I have a 3 year old (and I'm a darn good mom :yeah:), have a handful of nieces and nephews under 7 that I'm very close to, and have always "clicked" with the kiddos... not to mention adults scare me to death, but what will the recruiters think about me having no formal experience? No nanny gig, no day care 9-5, nada.

What can a person like me do in this situation to stand out from the other applicants? I REEAAALLLLY want this job!!!!!

We all have to start somewhere. I know I would shine! :D

Thanks to all for your input!!!!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The NICU experience should help a lot. Highlight that in your application. I'd also apply to NICU's as a back-up. I'd also recommend applying to general pediatrics positions. With only 1 available PICU position, you might not get your first choice. There might be an applicant with PICU experience -- or one with peds experience -- or a new grad who has worked as a PICU (or peds) tech or extern, or who did a senior-year student preceptorship in PICU. All of those applicants would probably be rated above you in the selection process.

But at my hospital (a chilren's hospital), you would be a strong candidate -- one that would be seriously considered for PICU and one that would be likely to be offered a position on one unit or another. But you might not get your first choice right away. You might have to work on another unit for a while.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ED.

I think you should certainly apply. Your NICU experience will be a great asset, and you can throw in your experience as a mother. Nurses with more experience will likely be applying for this position, so your cover letter will be your strongest asset. You should stress your NICU work and your strong desire to work in the PICU. Additionally, you should in the fact that this position is in your hometown. This might seem irrelevant, but it's worth mentioning. An HR manager might be more inclined to select a person who grew up in the town over even a stronger candidate from East Nowhereville. There is less of a chance that a person who grew up in the town will take the job, decide they hate the area and leave. You might not get teh PICU position, but I certainly don't think you should count yourself out.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Additionally, you should in the fact that this position is in your hometown. This might seem irrelevant, but it's worth mentioning. An HR manager might be more inclined to select a person who grew up in the town over even a stronger candidate from East Nowhereville. .

Good point. One of the big issues in hospitals right now is the cost of hiring nurses who leave after only 1-3 years of employment. With the cost of replacing staff who leave (and trainng their replacements) becoming such a big focus, a lot hospitals are looking at their hiring practices -- and choosing to invest in the nurses most likely to stay rather than the ones who might be "better" in some way but more likely to leave soon.

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Thanks for the input comrades :up:

I'm in the works of putting together a killer cover letter... to include & highlight my NICU experience. I guess the key here is to be confident. Show them that I am the person that best suits this role!

So, while I have your attention, I have one more question. Since the peds. positions are very hard to come by, should I also apply for adult specialities as well just in case things don't pan out like I'm praying they will? Even if its not my preference? Arrrggggh! This process is a toughy to figure out! I really feel that there should be some mandatory workshop for senior nursing students to prepare us for the application/hiring process! I could be on to something, hmmmmm...

Anyway, I'll submit my applications this Friday... will keep you all posted :)

I REALLY & TRULY appreciate the input from you guys. Stay warm out there!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Keep in mind that some hospitals float nurses between NICU and PICU so experience in NICU should help (try to find out if that's how they do it). Also, at least in these parts, the PICU gets critical infants - they're just not neonates.

Having experience in working with sick infants should be a plus. It's up to you to figure it out and connect the dots for them.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Peds, Pediatraic Home Care, Infusion.

Those NICU grads often end up in the PICU during their first couple of years. The NICU does not take them back-----------so your experience in the NICU is as good or better then tech experience in a PICU Nikki.

And other term, discharged as healthy, infants with infections, injuries, etc. go to the PICU, not ever the NICU.

Some PICU's take the heart NICU pts.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I just want to say Good luck! I hope you get the job! I applied for a position that I really wanted and described in the interview how much I wanted the job. I told the interviewer that I did have other interviews recently (because I didn't want to sound desperate) but that this was the area I really wanted to work in. She seemed happy that I was passionate about the position. Let us know if you hear anything!

eta that I haven't heard anything back from the interview yet because it was just this week....still keeping my fingers crossed! She said I should know by next week! Sooooo nervous!

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Oh my gosh, good luck!!!! I hope you get the position you are wanting so badly! I think the first part of being a good nurse is having passion... sounds like you got that covered :p

Let us know how it goes!

Oh, and what kinds of questions did they ask? Was it all that "behavioral" interview stuff I keep hearing so much about. Any help would, well... help :)

THANKS AND BEST TO YOU IN YOUR CAREER!!!

NikkiJ

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