ICU nurse with CCRN... how the heck do I get into NICU?

[3fins]

I started my career in the ICU as a new grad and am going into my 4th year. Also have my CCRN.

I've always really wanted to do NICU but can NEVER seem to find a hospital that hires anyone who doesn't already have NICU experience.

So how the heck does someone get into NICU when it seems hospitals only hire experienced NICU nurses?

[babyNP., APRN]

Be willing to move...I moved across the country for my job when I started, although I was a new grad at the time.

The best hospitals to get a job at are probably places with large NICUs, like children's hospitals. The smaller NICUs generally don't hire as often as not. Or you could always get into PICU first and then jump into NICU in the same facility. PICU is almost always hiring.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

PICU is almost always hiring.

Hard to believe. Everywhere I look they want PICU experience. Where does one start? I'm interested in NICU however. Same issue there too.

[babyNP., APRN]

Hmm...I've seen lots of postings for PICU for new grads and fellows. With adult ICU experience, I wouldn't think it would be too hard.

[3fins]

I've looked out of state to no avail, and I'm not interested in peds.

I think the bottom line is no one has the interest or financial resources to train people anymore - and that goes for any specialty. The nurses will continue to age within their specialities (45% of nurses are over the age of 50, with an average age of 45 y/o) and new hires will be imported from developing countries overseas to the overall detriment of patient care.

I can imagine it's only going to get worse with ACA and Medicaid/care cuts.

[NYbabyRN, BSN, RN]

I work in a Level 1 trauma hospital that takes new grads (from the area) and nurses with experience in other areas ( such as med-surg) into the Nicu. Pm if you'd like more info - it's in NY.

[babyNP., APRN]

3fins, I think you're being a little overdramatic. I understand that it must be really difficult to not be able to go directly into your passion, but to say that we won't train American nurses to take care of patients and only overseas nurses will take care of American patients is a bit over the top. In any case, I wish you the best of luck in trying to find a job in NICU.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

Would you be willing to work in postpartum or newborn nursery then apply for a transfer to NICU?

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

I think that is a little over the top. NICU is hard to get into sometimes. And we don't import anyone in to work here, we have a great number of applicants. NICU doesn't have a large turnover usually so yes, we usually stay until retirement.

Have you shadowed at any units to help get a foot in? That is a good way to meet the manager, the staff and to make an impression that may get you an interview.

You may need to take a peds or postpartum job in the hospital you want to work in...gets you peds experience and an in at that hospital as most places will take a transfer over a new hire.

Good luck.