First NICU job

RNN09, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2010

im bumping for any inspiration messages

NJNICUCCRN · Feb 2, 2010

I'm so sorry that you had that experience. I have heard of others that had the same. Some units are very difficult due to personalities. It is the manager that should put a stop to that behavior. Dont let that stop your dreams of working in a NICU. Try another hospital. Mother/baby would be very beneficial. Getting to know normal, healthy newborns is a great step before learning of the sick ones. Good-Luck!!!

vanlo001 · Feb 2, 2010

The NICU can be a highly competitive environment. The best personality trait you can have is to listen and learn. Now that ur out of that environment, try a unit that is small. In larger units u see cliques forming and they may not be as welcoming. In the future focus learning your tasks and becoming proficient. Make yourself helpful. If the phone rings answer it of a pump alarms silence it and let the nurse know. If a monitor goes off go by the bedside and check. Alert the nurse document if it's anAB or desat per ur policy. Offer to restock. Help an overwhelmed coworker. These are the kind of things to win you brownie points. Be grateful and accomodating.

RNN09, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2010

thank you all for the inspiring messages. I do believe that I did all of those things of being helpful to others. my problem began when I had to transition to nights. My preceptor attitude was very nasty at times.She often would ask me a question and then when my answer was not along her answer she became upset and rude. My manager was helpful at times but she basically told me in a nut shell that I need to learn to work with people who have different personalities. I am trying to be placed on a mother baby unit to gain experience as well. I'm still striving to be a nicu nurse. My first job was def a learning experience for me. Once again, I thank you all for your kind words.

fitRNpic · Feb 7, 2010

I too kind of experienced what you have. I graduated in 2007. My first NICU job I thought was great and I was excited to go to work every day and learn more. However, the orientation program was not set up the way it should be and the preceptors were very judgmental and not really helpful. Once they had their mind set about you, that was it. I did everything I possibly could to stay there, but even the Manager was of no help when I talked with her about it. They fired me on the last day of orientation and stated that I did not meet their "standards". This manager has also black balled me from getting employment at any of the other local hospitals (I know this because the other local hospital that had a level II NICU, that had also offered me employment right after I accepted the position at the level III, told me that if it didn't work out with the level III, to let them know. So I had an interview there 2 weeks after being fired from the level III and was going to be offered the job, but backed out of the offer after speaking with the level III manager. In contacting my old manager at the level III, she told me that it was none of my business as to what she says about me to other people!!! :eek: )

So, needless to say, my journey has not gone well. I was fired from this position in January 2008, and have yet to get employment in another NICU, SCN, or other nursery. I do not put her name on my applications. I do put that I worked there and put someone else's name as a point of contact (Clinical Nurse Educator/Transport RN that I have had very good rapport).

I have applied to every NICU, SCN, Nursery, PICU/Peds RN position ever posted within the last 2 years at hospitals that are usually an hour away from me and some in another state. I check these hospitals job openings at least once a week. I have sent my resume and cover letter directly to the managers. I have called and left messages and sent emails. I have only had a handful of interviews (spring 2009), and none of them offered me a job because they wanted someone with more experience. I haven't given up and I will not give up. This is what I want more than anything in the world. But it is very hard to keep going after being rejected so many times.

I say GOOD LUCK to you and hope that you don't have to go through what I have been through. I used to be excited about being a nurse, and now sometimes wonder why I did it in the first place. I went to nursing school to have a career in NICU and hopefully go on to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. However, all of my life plans have been put on hold because no one will give me a chance in the world and you can't become a neonatal nurse practitioner without 2 years of in hospital NICU experience.

I hope that everything works out for you.

RNN09, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2010

Hello Everyone

Im so sorry im just now replying to your message . wow wat an expirence! where you able to find anything..as for me im still searching for another nicu postion. its is very hard. If anyone knows of any open positions please let me know..once again thank you for responding to my message

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 27, 2010

I just spent my first day in NICU as a student and am in awe of NICU nurse. I say, don't give up your dream guys. You can do it!

RNN09 are you going to mother baby? Let us know where they will place you. I absolutely loved mother baby in my clinical rotation. Everyone is healthy and happy. And the nurses were especially happy people. :)

rnpicc I"m so sorry that happened to you. What she says about you is SLANDER and she and the hospital can be sued. It has happened before which is why some hospitals have a policy of only saying that yes the person worked here from this time to that. NO other info. They really should implement that policy.

After graduation I'm going to try for a position in NICU or mother baby. Good luck to you all! :)

RNN09, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2010

Hi Faeriewand,

I"m glad to hear you had a wonderful expirence as a student. Thank you for your encouraging words. Im still working to make my dreams come true. I know that I can do it, I just need a welcoming enviorment that is supportive and hopefully I find it. I wish you all the best in your endevours! :yeah:

fitRNpic · Apr 29, 2010

Hello Everyone
Im so sorry im just now replying to your message . wow what an experience! were you able to find anything..as for me im still searching for another nicu position. its is very hard. If anyone knows of any open positions please let me know..once again thank you for responding to my message

Hello again. I still have not landed my dream job in NICU and am still in search! I am currently, and for the last year, been working in Pediatric Home Health. I care for post-NICU infants and toddlers in the home. Most of my patients were in the NICU, and sometimes for a very long time. When discharged from the hospital, in order for them to go home, in home care needed to be in place. My patients have trachs, may be on a vent or cpap, have feeding tubes/mic-key button feeding needs, PT/OT/RT, and other such needs. I have cared for infants/toddlers that were born with many different medical problems such as Diaphragmatic Hernia, Myotonic Dystrophy, Cleft Palate, Pierre Robin Syndrome, and my current child was born at 20 weeks and weighed just over a pound when born. She is now 2 years old! Though she may have a trach, be on a vent, and have a mickey button, she is very fortunate to have lived being born so early! I do like my job for the most part, but it is still not NICU. I will keep applying, sending emails, calling, and whatever else I need to do until I get that DREAM JOB!

RNN09, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2010

wow thats sounds very intresting..I would like to try that later in my career....good luck with your search

fitRNpic · May 8, 2010

wow that sounds very interesting..I would like to try that later in my career....good luck with your search

I didn't have much of a choice, needed a job and not going back to adult med/surg! Still hoping that a NICU will hire me someday.