I'm extremely fortunate to be given an opportunity to work at an amazing magnet hospital in a new nurse residency program that lasts 10 months to 1 year on a general (med-surg) pediatric floor. It's an amazing hospital, the pay is amazing, the residency program I've heard only amazing things, and it's about a 20 minute quick train ride from home.
While I do love pediatrics, my true passion and goal is to become a NICU nurse. Unfortunately, this hospital won't allow new graduates to start in the NICU, even in a year long residency program. So, my first question would be, would it be a good first step to get this experience in general pediatrics before possibly getting the chance to work in a NICU? I've heard from so many people that NICU's almost prefer a fresh new grad over anyone with other experience due to the fact that the NICU is so unique, and I would hate for this year of experience in nursing to actually work against me. I also have much more of an affinity to the infant/neonatal population than I do for all of pediatrics; I cannot imagine myself trying to convince a patient to take their PO medications for 30 minutes or more, like I've heard some pediatric nurses complaining about.. especially when I have so many other patients to take care of.
Aside from the main question, I may also possibly have ANOTHER opportunity to work in a nurse residency program in an amazing, Level III NICU. Also about 1 year long. The problem with this is the pay is significantly less than the general pediatrics position, and even worse, the commute would be about an hour and a half (3 hours there and back). The pay is not anywhere near as concerning to me as the commute. The NICU is a dream to me, but I'm definitely concerned about my quality of life and the amount of stress I would be under commuting so long, along with being a new grad in an ICU setting. Also, during the beginning of the residency program, we start on days, 5 days a week, about 9-5 with shadowing and classroom/simulation lab work. This lasts for a few months of the year long residency program, and commuting 3 hours a day, 5 days a week would be pretty grueling to me compared to the 3 hour commute once I'm doing my three 12 hour shifts.
Sorry for the loaded information/questions. Basically, I wanted to see everyone's advice.
Do you think I should take the position in general peds and apply to NICU after the year of experience?
How likely do you think I could get into the NICU in the same hospital after working meds? The hospital is an amazing magnet hospital and so close to home. Pays amazing.
Do you think it would be absolutely crazy to commute that long, two trains and a bus for an hour and a half to work at a level III NICU? Not a magnet hospital, but I've heard great things as well. I somehow think it could be worth it to get the experience there, then apply to the hospitals' NICUs near me. I can use that NICU experience to work anywhere, where as the general pediatric experience may not transfer to NICUs.
Thank you very much for your time and advice, I really appreciate it.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
OP I am in a similar situation, minus the new grad part.
I interviewed and shadowed today for a NICU position, and although I haven't even been offered the position, I am thinking I will not take it. Like yours the commute is an hour and a half and that is just to long, and it will be even worse if there is a snow storm. I went up there yesterday and today and burned through almost two tanks of gas! The cost of gas for me if I took this job which would be three days a week would be about 460.00 a month, which is more than my car payment!
Anyway if I were you I would take the general pedi job and try and do a lateral transfer in a couple of years! It's just not worth the driving , and in my opinion it would be a struggle trying to have a life work balance!
...and after typing all of this I realized this is a really old post. Oh well...
AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P
2,611 Posts
OP I am in a similar situation, minus the new grad part.
I interviewed and shadowed today for a NICU position, and although I haven't even been offered the position, I am thinking I will not take it. Like yours the commute is an hour and a half and that is just to long, and it will be even worse if there is a snow storm. I went up there yesterday and today and burned through almost two tanks of gas! The cost of gas for me if I took this job which would be three days a week would be about 460.00 a month, which is more than my car payment!
Anyway if I were you I would take the general pedi job and try and do a lateral transfer in a couple of years! It's just not worth the driving , and in my opinion it would be a struggle trying to have a life work balance!
...and after typing all of this I realized this is a really old post. Oh well...
Annie