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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
134 Posts
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!!!