How long did it take you to get into the NICU?

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I want to work in the NICU more than anything. I obviously love babies but I also love the critical thinking aspect of it, the teaching, growing babies and so many other aspects. In clinicals my best work came from fragical settings like the NICU and ICU. My long-term goal is to be a pediatric transport nurse...but I live in the Boston area and specialty jobs for a new grad are almost impossible to come by. How long did it take you to get into the NICU? I applied for a few new grad positions and have yet to hear back...I've had critical care experience as a CNA and interaction with neonates/peds working in the ER, but no specific pedi experience which I think will hurt me. Any interviewing tips would be much appreciated.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Good luck to you! Be positive, yourself and confident when you interview.

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Specializes in NICU.

I got in right away as a new grad. Since I did my preceptorship in the NICU, I had my foot in the door anyway. Don't give up. Apply to all NICU's, even the level II"s. You'll get in somewhere.

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I entered the NICU also as a new grad - Thank God!!!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I started in NICU as a new grad as well....

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

New grad here too. Now I'm 4 years in, and can't imagine doing anything else!! Good luck to you!

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My mother is a NICU nurse and has been for the past 21 years so I took her advice. I spent my 1st year after graduation on a pediatric medsurg floor to get more expereince and to hone my assessment and time management skills. I'm on my second year here and am proud to say I just got a job at my mom's hospital in the NICU (with a little of her help). The hospital I'm going to be working at does hire new grads for the NICU though, so definitley look into that!

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Specializes in NICU.

Also a new grad starter.

The managers interviewing you won't expect a lot of experience--most NICU's have long orientations--but they do like to see a lot of enthusiasm and desire to work in the NICU.

Good luck. There are definitely pros and cons to starting out as a new grad--and I have heard some from RN's who worked their way up--but, I'm glad I had the opportunity to start out where I'd like to end up.

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