From Med/Surg to Postpartum

[PinkRose34, MSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I have been working at my hospital for 3 years now - 2 years with med-surg/tele, 1 year with Surgical patients. This is my only acute care experience. My goal at first was to get into my hospital's NICU, but I heard from a Postpartum nurse who works there that it's better to start out working in postpartum then transition to NICU later. This is what I've done so far:

• obtained NRP, STABLE certifications
• took class on lactation and basic fetal heart monitoring
• joined AWHONN, NANN
• informed my current manager of my plans
• networked and very briefly worked with Postpartum manager through our hospital's Shared Governance

Recently, there have been a couple openings for Postpartum, and I applied to both. After the first position filled, I emailed the manager to follow up on the opening and she said it's been filled, but she expects movement in the Spring because a Postpartum nurse will be retiring. Then the second position was posted the following week. I applied again, informed her I applied, and once more the position closed. Not even a chance at an interview. Something tells me that someone in that field (L&D, postpartum, NICU) got those positions because I know she would extend an interview at internal applicants. But what if I'm wrong? I'm racking my brain and it's stressing me out.

Any suggestions on how else I can make myself a competitive applicant? I would appreciate any advice you can give me.

(Moving isn't an option, and I don't think I stand a chance of applying to nearby postpartum or L&D openings externally without experience, and there are no transition programs at this time).

[SmilingBluEyes]

Therein lies your problem. They post positions but probably fill them internally.  Keep on applying. You have done so much work to make yourself a good candidate. I am sorry for your frustration. Maybe you could introduce yourself to the manager (s) at said units and express your interest and show them your credentials?  Or get to know people who work there and network a bit.

[PinkRose34, MSN, RN]

The manager does know me,we've met through Shared Governance and I've emailed her several times about my interest and when I sent in an application. I keeping in touch with one of the nurses who work on the unit. So far, it looks like the positions I'm applying for are being taken by those who work there already, and I completely understand. I guess I'll just keep trying and applying.

Thank you!

[Nunya, BSN]

Personally, I would also apply to all NICU jobs, both that hospital and others in the area.  That includes Level 3-4, as well as Level 2 (more like a step down unit).  You don't really need PP experience for NICU, they're different animals.  The things you will learn in PP that will help is that women who just delivered are tired and hormonal and often need things repeated more than once.  There.  You're done.  PP in most cases is not acute care, unless you're on a floor that's exclusively high risk.  And fwiw, I started on Level 2 NICU, worked PP/ante/gyn surgery for 9 months and couldn't WAIT to get back to my babies!

[PinkRose34, MSN, RN]

1 hour ago, Nunya said:

Personally, I would also apply to all NICU jobs, both that hospital and others in the area.  That includes Level 3-4, as well as Level 2 (more like a step down unit).  You don't really need PP experience for NICU, they're different animals.  The things you will learn in PP that will help is that women who just delivered are tired and hormonal and often need things repeated more than once.  There.  You're done.  PP in most cases is not acute care, unless you're on a floor that's exclusively high risk.  And fwiw, I started on Level 2 NICU, worked PP/ante/gyn surgery for 9 months and couldn't WAIT to get back to my babies!

I really wish I could apply to other NICU positions but they ALL require NICU experience - especially Kaiser. There are no transitions programs either. So I'm really in a tight spot. One of the reasons why the nurse said it's easier to go to NICU later is because whenever there's an opening within that area, they offer it to the nurses there first before offering it to the rest of the hospital