what are the chances?

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

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.

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!