Didn't get senior practicum in NICU

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Neurology, Public Health Education.

I didn't get my senior practicum in NICU. I was placed in pediatric medsurg despite showing extreme interest in NICU throughout school. Will I still be able to be hired or get a residency in NICU? I feel like my school has just shut me out of jobs and crushed a dream I've had forever.

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I didn't either, I was on adult med surg (and thought I'd die). I'm still a NICU nurse and it was my first job out of school. Where I live, Dallas, it's more about who you know. Give a reference and you're more likely to get interviewed.

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I didn't even get an ICU opportunity in nursing school, but do ICU now. Just hang in there! Once you get your license, you can try for a NICU position. Even though you aren't particularly interested in the internship you are assigned to, if you do well, it may lead to a job or at least a reference.

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Specializes in NICU, OB/GYN.

Your experience is what you make of it. NICU wasn't even on my radar when I did my practicum in L&D, and I didn't even think of applying there when I got hired into my first job (OB). It was after working for 2 years that I decided to make the jump to NICU. Make yourself look marketable when you apply for jobs. Show up eager to practicum and make a good impression so that you build your references.

As an aside, many of my coworkers have backgrounds in Med/Surg. You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Neurology, Public Health Education.

Thanks for the feedback. I am applying to nurse residencies in Texas (all over, though I am from Houston). Fortunately I do have some medical contacts in Houston to use as well as several references from clinical professors. I will do my best in my senior practicum and hope that I can get a reference from my nurse.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Your senior practicum/preceptorship doesn't make or break your career. Don't sweat it, just learn all that you can from wherever you are assigned to.

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I didnt get the NICU either, I got put in the Education Department and LOVED IT!!!! Now Im going back to school for my Masters in Education. Keep an open mind. I had a clinical on a Cardiac Peds Unit and I had farely new babies as patients less than 6 months. They are still just as cute and cuddly believe me, lol. Keep an open mind you may like it!

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Your senior practicum/preceptorship doesn't make or break your career. Don't sweat it, just learn all that you can from wherever you are assigned to.

Hi. I wonder about this. I only plan on being a nurse for a few years. I wanted Critical Care for practicum but got intermediate trauma. practicum doesnt make or break the "career" but what if you only expect to do max 5 years as a nurse? would you say it makes a difference then? I don't want to do med-surg nursing at all after seeing it, but not being in ICU practicum makes it taht much farther away feeling after graduation....its a real bummer

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Why only 5 years ? Are you close to retirement ?

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Why only 5 years ? Are you close to retirement ?

Not close to retirement. It's a job, that I can see won't fulfil my needs ultimately, unfortunately. Im a bit older, so I have a decent idea what drives me.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Whoops. Old thread.

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