how long did it take you to end up in the NICU?

[tinybbynurse]

This question is especially for those who did NOT start out in the nicu. Unfortunately we're not all as lucky how long did it take you to get there after graduating or after deciding at some point in your career that you wanted to work there that you got in? What steps or jobs did you accept to make your way closer?

I graduated December 2014 with my RN degree.I had a year LPN experience in LTC before that and got offered a med surg residency program spot but turned it down to move to the state I live in now ...been doing home health for a,few months til I get into the hospital ..and now I have an interview for a med surg unit and urgent care ....so I'm trying to at least make my way into the hospital and acute care and go from there ... baby steps ....

I started to get my NRP cert but didn't follow through in the process of moving and job hunting here ...is it worth following thru or should I just wait til I get into the NICU for the unit to put me through it?

Also, it's so annoying bc my boyfriends friends mother works in the NICU and supposedly he talked to his mom but I guess there's only so much someone can do for you in terms of networking. That's not the first slight connection I've had either ...wish one of my connections would pan out! Haha. Guess it has to be a connection to the right person at the right time ...I just feel bad asking my "resources" because they're people I know through others and not directly, ya know?

[tinybbynurse]

Well guys I'm 6 months into med surg and I applied to the NICU....supposed to expect a call soon for an interview to be set up! So it never hurts to start applying around the 6 month mark I'd say! I had to jump on it ...so many nicu positions keep opening up over the past year or so and I was afraid the surge would stop if I waited for a year or more.

[NYbabyRN, BSN, RN]

Good luck with your interview! I know exactly how it feels to yearn to be a NICU nurse. I wanted to be a NICU nurse before I started nursing school; it's the reason I went to nursing school. However I followed the advice of others and applied to a med-surg unit and stayed there for over 4 years. During that time I went on to get my BSN degree, became a member of NANN and the Academy of Neonatal Nursing, and I volunteered at my hospital's NICU when they were very short staffed and needed care partners. When I applied I was very aggressive in showing my interest and I was hired within two weeks of my application date.

Keep striving for your goal, even if there are delays or detours!

[tlwilker]

So, I am a new grad that is getting ready to start in the NICU, and I will say that I worked for this position! I found out who the unit manager was and also who ran the fellowship, and I emailed them my resume and cover letter. I heard back from her the next day and had an interview. In my case reaching out worked for me, and I think the unit manager appreciated my drive and ambition to work in the NICU. Good luck to you!

[JLoya]

So I knew even before starting Nursing School, that I wanted to do NICU. Unfortunately, the way our Practicum selection was run, it was a lottery. I was at the bottom and ended up being an elementary school nurse in the Community Health section.

That being said, I graduated in June of 2014 and worked for a year in an adult Cardiac Tele floor, which I then transitioned into Interventional Radiology. I also obtained a per-diem spot in the regions Burn and Peds Trauma unit.

Alas, I saw a posting for a New to Specialty-NICU at a nearby hospital which has a Level IV NICU. I applied in November and start at the end of February. Finally I can get this show on the road and progress towards my NNP...