Do Any Hospitals Hire New Grads For Nicu?

[Hopefulstudent333]

Hi! So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any hospitals that hire new grads directly into the nicu without having to go through a residency program first? I' graduating this Summer and I'm lucky enough to get a spot in a direct entry neonatal NP Program but one of the requirements of the program is that we work in a level III or level IV nicu while doing online classes part time. Because I will be in school at the same time, we were told that we're not allowed to do a residency program so I'm trying to find hospitals that will hire me directly into the Nicu as a new grad instead. If anyone knows of any please post below! I know these positions are rare and hard to get so I'm willing to move anywhere since my classes will be online. Thanks!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I am just trying to surmise what their rationale is for that criteria. My guess was that they didn't want to count certain experience. I guess the only way to truly know is to ask the program. 

[Hopefulstudent333]

@adventure_rn @Coffee Nurse @EricJRN @NICU Guy @Rose_Queen

Hi! I just wanted to say thank you to all of you and anyone else I might have missed! I found your input very helpful. I have decided that doing the NNP program is probably not whats best for me. Instead, my plan is to work as a NICU nurse for the next 5 years or so and make sure I get as much experience and knowledge as possible and then decide from there if I want to go back. Who knows I might end up just staying as a nurse and thats fine. I have received multiple job offers from different NICU's and now I'm just deciding between them. All of them except for 1 are residency programs. The one that isn't a residency program is just an 18 week orientation and preceptorship period that the unit said is designed for their new grads but not technically a residency program and doesn't involve monthly classes or seminars or anything. Now I just have to pick a hospital and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on whether I should pick a level III or level IV. I did my senior year practicum in a level III and I really liked it because I was able to go to deliveries and work with a lot of micropreemies. I know a level IV will see more critical babies so I wasn't sure if it would be better to start out at the hardest level right away or if I should start at a level III and then after a couple of years go to a level IV once I gain experience. Any input you guys have would be helpful with my decision. Thank you!!

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

38 minutes ago, Hopefulstudent333 said:

@adventure_rn @Coffee Nurse @EricJRN @NICU Guy @Rose_Queen

Hi! I just wanted to say thank you to all of you and anyone else I might have missed! I found your input very helpful. I have decided that doing the NNP program is probably not whats best for me. Instead, my plan is to work as a NICU nurse for the next 5 years or so and make sure I get as much experience and knowledge as possible and then decide from there if I want to go back. Who knows I might end up just staying as a nurse and thats fine. I have received multiple job offers from different NICU's and now I'm just deciding between them. All of them except for 1 are residency programs. The one that isn't a residency program is just an 18 week orientation and preceptorship period that the unit said is designed for their new grads but not technically a residency program and doesn't involve monthly classes or seminars or anything. Now I just have to pick a hospital and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on whether I should pick a level III or level IV. I did my senior year practicum in a level III and I really liked it because I was able to go to deliveries and work with a lot of micropreemies. I know a level IV will see more critical babies so I wasn't sure if it would be better to start out at the hardest level right away or if I should start at a level III and then after a couple of years go to a level IV once I gain experience. Any input you guys have would be helpful with my decision. Thank you!!

I’m so glad to hear this! I think you’ve made a great decision and will be a better nurse, a better NNP if you choose to go down that route, and- most importantly - a happier person!

I started as a new grad in a level IV. If they have a solid residency program and are accustomed to taking new grads and supporting them well, I say go for it! It’s easier to drop down to a level III if you decide the IV is too much, than to go the other way.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

A Level IV would not be harder starting out as a new grad than a Level III, just different diagnosis (surgical patients). Starting out in a Level IV will give you more variety of patients and a more diverse skill set if you decide to go into NNP or transfer to a different NICU.