How to be a NICU nurse?

GuEsT78 · Apr 21, 2015

You're different from me. I never worked in an NICU, and the few times I floated to my hospital's "Babyland," where NICU babies graduated to be fattened up, I was terrified by how tiny they were. I prefer kids old enough to point to their "owie."

Others will know more, but I suspect hospitals want nurses with some serious experience for their NICU. Those babies are fragile. Your best move might be to find out which Atlanta hospital's NICU you want most to work at, and then take any nursing job there, preferably one with the youngest possible children. That'll let you build up credentials and experience.

Remember, it's far easier to move about within a hospital, where they know you and your skills, than it is to enter from the outside, particularly when you are a new graduate. Your best shot at a NICU slot probably lies in a willingness to take the worst hoursâ€”nights and weekends.

Also, grab every bit of training and certification you can get. Impress them with your enthusiasm and dedication. And go out of your way to meet NICU nurses. They can let you know when an opening is coming up.

Good luck and best wishes!

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Apr 21, 2015

Actually, many NICUs hire new grads. Total fallacy about working a floor first, unless you can't get in there initially, then look at postpartum or peds. Ask to shadow in the NICUs by you and ask about job opportunities.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 21, 2015

Moved to AN's NICU Nursing / Neonatal for experts advice.

:)

prmenrs, RN · Apr 21, 2015

I suppose that are units that are ok w/new staff who have worked "grown-ups", but I maintain it's about 3x harder to get in the NICU groove.

Everything is 'different' in NICU, most of the stuff you learned in school and used when you worked Med-Surg is adult norm'ed. And it doesn't apply in the NICU. Vital sign norms, math for meds and IV's--all different

My only advice is to throw yourself on the mercy of the nurse manager @ a level 3 nursery, and see what you can work out. If you can work in Maternal Unit, L&D, post-partum, newborn nursery would be good ways to get in the door.

Best wishes! You can do it!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Apr 21, 2015

Check out Children's Hospital of Atlanta New Grad Nurses - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta They hire new grads in NICU. There are several of us that have gotten NICU jobs as a new grad. Most likely places are large NICUs and Children's Hospitals. I work at a large Level IV NICU in a children's hospital. They had a 12 week orientation (including classes) for new grads and experienced nurses without NICU experience.