what are the chances?

[krltdy]

So, I'm the mother of a nicu grad. She was in the nicu for about 3 months. I've kept in touch with most of the nurses that took care of my peanut.

My question is this: do you think it improves or decreases my chances of gaining a spot in the nicu?

On one hand, I have experience that most nicu applicant's don't have, which is the raw, suffocating agony of having a child there. I know what questions most parents will ask, before they ask them. I know what it's like to have to decide whether your child a DNR or not. I pretty much have all the terminology down.

But on the other hand, I don't want them to think that it would be too emotional or close to home.

Please be honest, and tell me what you think.

Thanks!!!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I don't think your non-nursing experience will be of any consideration to them. But hey, you never know, right?

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

On the contrary, I think that -- should you manage to land an interview -- it could give you a major boost as an applicant, provided you put it in the right light. When I interviewed for my unit, I remember being asked if I had any experience with NICU, and telling the manager about the time that my little cousin had spent in one. I got the job, so I'm guessing it helped my case.

It's not something you could list on a résumé, obviously, but your experience from the other side of the bed gives you invaluable insight into what parents are going through. The fact that you're coming back and seeking a position as a nurse shows that you were able to find the positives in the situation and want to share those with others. The only caution I would offer is to make sure that you incorporate your experience into your professional mindset; avoid too much (or any) "when my daughter" or "the way I felt," if you see what I mean. Use your empathy with their situation, but don't project.

[krltdy]

Thank you both for your insight. It just seems like such a fine line, and would like to approach the subject professionally, without too much emotion attached. That will be very difficult, since that's mostly what drew me to become a nicu nurse.

Again, thanks so much!