Help! Jobs for NICU nurse 1 year experience

[babygirl2014]

Hello everyone,

I live in Southern California and I've been searching for a job but no luck. I have 1 year experience in the NICU and am open to moving into any area of nursing as long as it is local, a day position and will provide training. Night shift was very rough on me and prefer not to go back. Most places want at least 2 years experience in an acute hospital setting. I don't think I am applying to the right places. I'm submitting my resume on job postings on Indeed but I keep losing job opportunities to stronger candidates. I am even applying to places per diem and part time, but still no luck. Can someone please offer me some advice?

Thank you

[babyNP., APRN]

Most NICUs will not hire for day shift positions- those are usually reserved for staff with seniority. You would probably have better luck looking at clinic nursing if you only want to do day shift.

[Wuzzie]

28 minutes ago, babyNP. said:

Most NICUs will not hire for day shift positions- those are usually reserved for staff with seniority. You would probably have better luck looking at clinic nursing if you only want to do day shift.

Depends on the clinic. Not all are suitable for nurses with minimal experience.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I think the reason you are having problems is because you have minimal experience and are being a little picky in a pretty saturated area.

Also, 1 year of NICU basically equals new grad in any other area, so thinking of it that way, it’s a bit much for a new grad to demand a day shift in a highly saturated city.

[YuHiroRN, BSN]

You mentioned your level of experience, and sadly your *very specific* specifications are more like a wish list for someone with your lack of experience. My advice would be to either sit tight in your home unit until a day shift position opens up, then apply for it, and/or just keep applying for jobs outside the hospital setting. There's not much more advice to be given, honestly.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

When I worked in Cali, day-shift slots were only for those with seniority. New hires were always for nights. It often took upwards of 4+ years at the same facility in order to be able to land a day-shift position, and those tended to open up only when people retired or moved out of town. I did work at a union facility though, which kept it's employees pretty darned happy and there was low turnover.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Night shift is rough for me, too.

If you abandon acute care at this point you may have trouble getting back in. So, I'd do some prioritization. What's most important right now? No night shift or remaining in acute care? Is mother-baby an option for you? Also, since you live in an area that can afford to be extremely choosy about how much nursing experience you need - can you move to get what you want? Good luck.