If you didn't start in NICU

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I love the new grad support thread. But I am also curious to hear from people who did not get their dream NICU job right out of school. What unit(s) did you work on? Do you feel they helped you either get a NICU job, or helped with the job itself (time management, etc)? And how long did it take you to finally get that dream job? How many people moved in order to get a position?

Really anything you want to tell me about your journey to the NICU would be very much appreciated!

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I have over 2 years of ms-tele experience and just interviewed for a position at a level IV NICU. It will be a few weeks before I hear anything and I am praying that they say YES! Most other NICUs have been hiring experienced NICU RNs or new grads only, so I feel like just having adult experience has been a disadvantage. But I hope this one I am waiting for will not feel the same way.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Just as an update to the above, I didn't get this job. Losing hope to work in any NICU now, but have to pick myself up and move forward. Working on other opportunities now.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I started out in L&D as a new grad - after 15 months, I was able to transition to our hospital's Level IIIb NICU pretty easily. If you can't get a NICU position, attempt to get a position in L&D or Mother/Baby that has a NICU attached and offer to cross-train.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

Sorry to hear that Paco. I hope you don't give up!

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Aww keep going and dont give up if you really want to be a neonatal nurse. Yes there is a ton to learn but you will get there. Why not get some maternity experience, either on labour ward, antenatal or postnatal doing shadow shifts for experience. If your heart is in this, it will show and one day you will gain your reward.

I think no matter if your a former midwife, paeds or adult trained, we are all equal and can bring something to the table. And to those with backgrounds in critical care, the nicu needs you too because that knowledge is precious.

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