Breaking into NICU-Advice please

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Specializes in ob, med surg.

I hope I am posting this under the correct fourm. I'll try to keep it brief, but I really hope someone out there can provide advice. If you have any questions for me, I will be glad to clarify.

I am 47. Nursing is my 2nd career. I have done 3 1/2 years med surg experience. Never wanted to do med surg. Was told in school that is was expected. So I have recently moved-husband got transferred. My husband moved 2 1/2 years ahead of me partly because I felt committed to my job. I wanted a good solid experience on a med surg floor.

Now that I am job hunting, I am finding it IMPOSSIBLE to get a job doing anything except med surg. I would EVENTUALLY like a job doing NICU, but I am willing to bide my time and do what I have to to get a NICU job. Everything wants previous experience in that specialty or new grads. I have a huge med surg skill set but no one is interested. I also have excellent references. I am getting so depressed about this.

What should be my plan of action?? All advice welcomed. Thanks in advance! :crying2:

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

How about we move this thread to the NICU forum where it'll get the right sort of attention?

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Specializes in ob, med surg.

Ok Thanks!!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

Try looking for new grad residencies/internships/fellowships. When I was applying for NICU jobs, almost all of the job descriptions said that experienced nurses without NICU experience were welcome to apply. Now would be a perfect time to start looking because many hospitals have posted new grad job openings that will begin in June.

I am a new grad that started in the NICU and my nurse educator told us to clear our brains of everything we know about adults because hardly anything applies. It really is the best job in the world and I wish you the best of luck!

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Specializes in ob, med surg.

I will keep that in mind. I have relocated to near Seattle and ALL specialties I have found so far are asking for previous experience. There are not many new residencies at the moment but I think that they will have to be soon. I was in school 5 years ago and we were told that we MUST do med/surg first which I never wanted to do. So except for 6 weeks in L&D. I did med surg. Watched new nurses come and new nurses go. So I am finding this experience extremely maddening.:uhoh3:

I think too that I may need to get more aggressive with HR departments. Everything is computerized and though I don't have a problem with that, many times there is no place to submit a cover letter or to explain your goals. Thanks for your input. :)

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Specializes in L/D 4 yrs & Level 3 NICU 22 yrs.

I admire your dedication and perseverance. Sounds like the job market in your area is pretty tight! We hire new grads and non-NICU RNs all the time. Have you considered a job in newborn nursery or peds as a stepping stone to the NICU? Perhaps with a year of experience in one of those fields you would be more marketable and have an easier transition to the NICU. Also, not that this helps, but shame on your nursing school instructors for saying you MUST do med/surg first. That is rediculous!

Good luck!

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Specializes in ob, med surg.

Yes thanks for the advice. I actually started in L & D but was transferred to the med surg floor after 6 wks. I really didn't want to start in med/surg. I mean I was pretty new so I felt I had no choice. I interviewed for a nursery position a few weeks ago and but I could tell in the interview that they weren't considering me. All I can really say is there were alot of weather related questions on their part and no substance questions. The next day they called and said they had hired a nurse with more nursery experience than I had. But they told me to reapply in January and I have and am still waiting. Thanks so much for the encouragement. I've really been down about it. :crying2: And by the way, my school is still giving that advice.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Well, if the manager told you to reapply, she must've like you! I would seek out her number give her a call and say "hey remember me, you told me to reapply and I did!" It will show how much you really want the position. Keep calling,calling,calling. You can even call HR and mention that you applied and see what they know about the position. They usually know the inside scoop. Don't give up, be persistent!! Good luck.:)

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Specializes in ob, med surg.

Yes you are right! I did actually follow up with the manager with a hard copy of my resume. I could do the same with the assistant I suppose. Thanks!! I really appreciate ALL suggestions!

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Even the online applications usually have the opportunity to upload a cover letter and resume. If not, then get the address of the brick and mortar HR department and drop it off, or find out the name of the manager of the unit and send it directly (this is what I'm going to do for a unit that is not yet advertising, though I am still in school). If you haven't already, make separate cover letters and tailored resumes for each position you're applying for. Find the experience you can best translate to NICU and talk it up. Go for a consult with someone if you're having trouble doing this on your own- my community college has such services for students and the community. Join organizations or subscribe to journals specific to NICU or birth/infancy. Show that, although you might not have experience in NICU, you have a knowledge base and you are motivated to educate yourself in the specialty you want to work in. Even if it takes more time for you to get a NICU job, those last can't help but better prepare you for it when you do land a position. Good luck!

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