A nurse with a speech impediment

quazar · Jan 4, 2017

I actually *work with* a NICU nurse with a very pronounced stutter. It obviously hasn't impeded her ability to do her job. I agree with the others, it's simply the fact that you're trying to go from geriatric to NICU that is the problem. NICU is super hard to get into. An easier path for you, if NICU is your ultimate goal, might be to go to the mother baby unit first, then to Newborn Nursery/well baby nursery, then to NICU (keeping in mind all of this unit hopping is happening over the course of a few years, not months). That is a fairly common transition within the OB/NICU environment, especially if it is a hospital where those units work well together. It will also make you more marketable because you will be cross trained. Cross trained nurses are highly sought after.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jan 4, 2017

Depends on where it is. I'm near the Texas Gulf Coast region.

If you live in Houston, I don't think you could land a NICU job without having your BSN.

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2017

... I've been an RN for about 6 months now and I sound really good on paper...I currently work in an LTAC/SNF and care for the Geriatric Population for the most part...Any advice or encouraging words would be helpful at this point. My worst fear is that I don't land the job of my dreams because I either get too anxious or excited, stutter, and the interviewer lose interest in the interview all together.

To be straightforward, you've only been an RN for 6 months so you can't sound that great on paper. Not that you sound bad, I don't mean that, but 6 months experience isn't that much experience and also may be a red flag to potential employers as to why you are seeking new employment already after only six months. Another thing you may want to consider is what type of jobs are you applying for? I saw you mentioned that you wanted to work NICU; if you've been applying for NICU jobs with only 6 months of RN experience, all of which have been in SNF, then that is likely why you haven't been hired, not because of your stutter.

In terms of your stutter - my husband has a moderate stutter that used to stand out to me so much when we first started dating and now I hardly recognize. If you are concerned about your stutter in regards to job prospects, my husband finds it easiest to just address the elephant in the room and be the first to mention the stutter. You could nonchalantly work it into one of your first interview question responses to get it out of the way if you are self-conscious about it. Just some thoughts.

Aunt Slappy · Jan 5, 2017

Totally off topic, but have you ever seen The King's Speech? It's a wonderful movie about King George VI, father of the current Queen Elizabeth, who stuttered. He was never meant to be king, but his brother abdicated to marry American divorcÃ¨e Wallis Simpson, and he was forced into the role. He had to lead the country through WW2, and had to give regular public addresses. He hired a speech coach, and the movie is about their relationship. Colin Firth plays the king, Helena Bonham-Carter his wife, and Geoffrey Rush is the coach.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jan 5, 2017

I would encourage you to bring it up in your interviews, and let the interviewer know it's not from nerves, but it's chronic and something you manage quite well.

I'm wondering if its possible you're being perceived as nervous when in fact you're not. Not saying it's right for anyone to use that as reason not to hire you, but I just feel like talking about the elephant in the room can sometimes be helpful.

Nurse_Tickles · Jan 5, 2017

Thanks everyone! But I mentioned NICU because that's an area of interest of where I have my next interview. I've been a nurse for about 2 years now (LVN for 18 months & RN for 6 months), for the entire time I've been employed at the same LTAC/SNF facility. I'm currently going for my RN-BSN degree from UTA, anticipating graduation: July 2017. While I have filled out numerous applications to the point where I've lost count, I've applied for all specialities such as Med Surg, Progressive Care, ER, ICU, OB/L&D, Nursery and now NICU. Being that I've just gotten to the 6 month mark of experience, I'm hoping to have more luck with finding a job. I've even gone so to applying for a graduate nurse position at the local healthcare corporation, just to be told "You're overqualified" because I graduated with my ADN in May 2016 and have taken NCLEX & passed in 7/28/2016 and have been working ever since. It could be the lack of experience that is rendering me from achieving employment, but getting through the interview is the hardest part for me. I wonder sometimes during the interview when they ask "Do you have any questions?", would it be inappropriate to ask "Based on the interview and how you perceive me, would there be any reason I would not be hired for this position?" Just to get rid of the multiple questions in my head of why I didn't get the opportunity for employment.

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 5, 2017

eI wonder sometimes during the interview when they ask "Do you have any questions?", would it be inappropriate to ask "Based on the interview and how you perceive me, would there be any reason I would not be hired for this position?" Just to get rid of the multiple questions in my head of why I didn't get the opportunity for employment.

No, don't ask that. It will make the interviewer very uncomfortable -- and you want the interviewer to be comfortable with you, not uncomfortable. You want to use that opportunity to ask questions to help the interviewer like you and want to hire you. Putting the interviewer "on the spot" or making the interviewer defensive, etc. will not help you -- and will probably make a bad impression.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jan 5, 2017

Thanks everyone! But I mentioned NICU because that's an area of interest of where I have my next interview. I've been a nurse for about 2 years now (LVN for 18 months & RN for 6 months), for the entire time I've been employed at the same LTAC/SNF facility. I'm currently going for my RN-BSN degree from UTA, anticipating graduation: July 2017. While I have filled out numerous applications to the point where I've lost count, I've applied for all specialities such as Med Surg, Progressive Care, ER, ICU, OB/L&D, Nursery and now NICU. Being that I've just gotten to the 6 month mark of experience, I'm hoping to have more luck with finding a job. I've even gone so to applying for a graduate nurse position at the local healthcare corporation, just to be told "You're overqualified" because I graduated with my ADN in May 2016 and have taken NCLEX & passed in 7/28/2016 and have been working ever since. It could be the lack of experience that is rendering me from achieving employment, but getting through the interview is the hardest part for me. I wonder sometimes during the interview when they ask "Do you have any questions?", would it be inappropriate to ask "Based on the interview and how you perceive me, would there be any reason I would not be hired for this position?" Just to get rid of the multiple questions in my head of why I didn't get the opportunity for employment.

Your LVN experience has little to nothing to do with your RN career. I can guarantee you that the reason you aren't getting a job in a different speciality is because you haven't held a job (as an RN) for very long. It's hard enough to switch from LTC to acute care but it may raise a lot of questions why you are applying for other jobs with only 6 months at your current job. If you don't get a job now, wait 6 more months & then reapply.

ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

Cool! I'm a UTA grad as well :) I think you are going to have MUCH better luck after getting your BSN. The hospital that I work for and many of the sister hospitals (I'm in the DFW area) are hiring more BSNs and less ADN's. If you want NICU, focus your attention on NICU. As hard as that is going to be to get into, I've heard it's even harder to find someone willing to retrain you once you're already locked into another specialty. Best wishes!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

While 6 months of RN job, LTC and being ADN in a saturated BSN market can cause career impediment, nowadays anything else which sticks out of cookie-cutter shape can be bad enough to preclude hiring. I had similar exeriences because of my accent.

OP, if you work in LTACH, ask if it has more "acute" unit with tele, drips, vents, etc. That will give you excellent basics for tele or even ICU floor. After you hit 1 year, you may try agency for PRN jobs on tele/medsurg, both to see if you like them and if a unit will look friendly and accepting enough of your little speech problem to make you comfortable to seek position there. Finish your BSN. Research and use opportunities of LTC level LTACH - after 2 full years there you may qualify for wound care certificate if you do enough wounds, or get friendly with acute dialysis nurses if you like that area. Make your skills louder than your speech.

Aloe_sky · Jan 9, 2017

I.worked with a nurse that was DEAF! it was a pain because she had to call in other nurses to do her auscultation assessments. She had a little device that she had to put near the patients mouth that helped her recognize what they were trying to say?!?!? She also read lips. If she still wasn't able to understand or if a patient wasn't able to understand her, she called another nurse in.

Like I said, it was a pain working with her lol but she was hired as a nurse!!!!

Aloe_sky · Jan 9, 2017

It IS also possible to work in NICU with an ADN and 0 nursing experience. You would need to apply to areas that are in need. I know a nurse in North Dakota, new grad, ADN working in NICU with another new grad classmate.