Did majority of you NICU nurses begin your nursing career in LTC or elsewhere?

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Specializes in LTC, NICU, Med-surg.

Hello NICU nurses, I'm a new grad, (May 2011) and am having such a hard time landing a NICU job fresh out of school. So, I applied at the last place on earth I thought I'd ever considered working, in a LTC nursing home facility and I actually got the job. I start next week, but I was just wondering whether you all also had to start off in a not so desirable position and kinda work your way up or if you went right into it. I have spoken with several nursing recruiters at major hospitals in the area and the census is either they're not accepting new grads into their NICU, it requires experience, or they simply don't have anything available.

My main concern is that my LTC experience won't be feasible or even considered by any hospitals for a position in the NICU. Should I be worried?

Your thoughts and insight are highly appreciated:)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

In my experience, most NICU nurses either start out in NICU as new grads ... or transfer in from other acute care units - particularly from areas that are "related" in some way, such as peds or L&D.

I'm not saying you shouldn't take the LTC job. But I would recommend that you continue to search for a job that would get you into an acute care hospital. You also might want to consider volunteer work in a NICU or related area and/or relocating.

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Specializes in NICU.

Started in NICU as a new grad :) but I moved across the country do so...keep applying, volunteer, be persistent. Good luck!

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I am starting in the NICU as a new grad in August. But I had a "leg up" because I did an unpaid internship in the NICU and I did a year of volunteer work at a pregnancy resource center. I agree with the previous poster- take your new job and get some skills, but maybe volunteer at a NICU or pregnancy center. If you really want it, you will eventually find a way. Just keep trying :) Good luck!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Hello there new grad!

I started in NICU as a new grad, but had to move across the state to do it. Now I manage an 80 Bed level three NICU and do the hiring. I do hire new grads from time to time. I just have a new night shift staff and like to have some people with some acute care experience as well. I think you will get some good skills from an LTC, especially time management and prioritization. You do need to continue to look for some perinatal, peds, or other acute care setting experience. Don't give up- you will get there! Make sure you go over behavior based interviewing and have questions for the manager that is interviewing you. Ask about areas for advancement, orientation process, patient ratios, number of deliveries etc. Do research on the organization-where do they stand! SELL yourself!!! Good Luck!:)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I started in the NICU right out of school.

Good luck to you, I hope you eventually find a NICU home.

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Specializes in LTC, NICU, Med-surg.

Thank you all dearly for the replies......I started at the LTC facility today and so far so good, but as I look at those residents, I can't help but think about the little babies I wish to care for instead. I will definitely look into some volunteer opportunities here locally, and hopefully I will someday find my NICU home.......:redbeathe

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Specializes in Retired NICU.

I started in NICU as a new grad, but that was 32 years ago and times have changed. Just keep looking at the big picture and keep moving toward your goals and you will get there. Congratulations on your job in LTC! It is not that easy to even get a job as a new grad right now, and you need to get some nursing experience under your belt to get to something you really want to do. :yeah:

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care/Neonatal ICU.

I worked adult critical care for almost 12 years before I switched to the NICU. I was already familiar with many things and just had to "translate" my knowledge to how it applied to the NICU. Of course there are issues that are unique to the NICU, but I think my critical care background helped tremendously in making the transition.

I would keep looking for a hospital job, especially if the hospitals near you are union and base job bids on seniority.

Good luck!

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