I finally have a job, but.....(vent)

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

Its not in NICU. I will be working an adult SIU. After applying everywhere I could think of, and countless NICU internships, new grad positions and not getting anywhere I had to accept a job where I could get one. My dream of working NICU isn't gone, just postponed. I'm going to use this new job to stabalize my job history and to learn as much as I can about time management and critical thinking. Granted, all that comes with time regardless of where you work....but that is what I was told I needed to work on most at my last job. I did ask during my interview what happens if I am deemed "not a good fit for the unit"? I was told that if something like that happened and if otherwise I'm ok, just perhaps need a different unit...the nurse retention manager would get involved to help find a different unit. Something that honestly should have happened before, but I digress.

How, in the next few years, do I prepared myself for where I want to be? I truely want to work NICU and the facility I'm going to has a pretty large one. Can a person take classes pertaining to NICU, even if your not working on one? I know I'm not going to allow my NRP to lapse. I'd like to get STABLE also. I know for my new job I'll have to get all the adult critical care certs, ACLS, etc. Honestly, how do I get where I want to go? How long do I work the unit I'll be on before I attempt to apply for an opening...IF there is one?

I am a bit disappointed that I couldn't get a NICU position. I even got turned down for an interview because my school isn't yet NLN accredited. I know my job history was a red flag and I'm grateful that someone was finally willing to give me a chance. I'm also a bit miffed that I couldn't get a job in my home state, even for the place I'm supposedly eligible for rehire to. Couldn't get passed the recruiters office. Of course, with the sheer number of nursing schools in my area....they can afford to be extremely picky. So, my state loses a nurse.

I am also pretty scared. After what happened when I was an RNA, I'm not going to be to trusting. I'm honestly afraid they will find something I'm not doing right and use that to fire me, and this time I'll be stuck in another state. I will admit I wasn't very clear on my learning style on that job and didn't get across that I need to actually see a medication equation in detail, not just telling me where to plug things in. I'm also not going to be willing to be all that sociable until I know who I can trust, which is going to be hard as I'm a talker. And now that I've literally not been working for a year, my skills will be extremely rusty. I'm also not going to trust them to tell me that I'm actually floundering, when I think I'm doing ok. I guess that's where communication come in, but can I trust them to actually tell me when I ask? In general I'm just scared this will get screwed somehow, rather by me or situation and I have no safety net. My fiance and I will be moving to a new state, and new town where we know no one.

I really do appreciate the support I've gotten on this forum. I hope to someday join your ranks as a NICU nurse, it just looks like I'll be taking the scenic route.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I would just concentrate on the job you were hired for. SICU orientation is going to be involved and time consuming, I wouldn't be worrying about another unit at this time. Also, most places will not let you transfer without finishing a year. I'm sorry you couldn't get nicu, but this sounds like a great opportunity and you should embrace it. Make sure you are open with your preceptor, manager and the nurse educators.

[WildcatFanRN, BSN, RN]

I think it will be a good learning opportunity and a GREAT place to stablize my job history. I'm very grateful to have gotten this job. I know it will most likely take me at the least 1-2 years before I can attempt to transfer. I just wonder what I can do during that time to stay focused on my goals?

Heck, its going to take me time to grow into my RN shoes right? I plan on taking the time to do it right regardless of where I'm working. Ask tons of questions, and absorb as much as I can.