Looking to start in a NICU

rnpilot · May 7, 2005

Nursing Education of America offers CEUs from Merinstein and Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Nursing. That might look good on your resume. The large hospitals anticipate new grads starting in June, and will start hiring early for that. One hospital I know filled all their new grad positions in January. Show interest early. Best wishes!

Kalico · May 8, 2005

Nursing Education of America offers CEUs from Merinstein and Gardner's Handbook of Neonatal Nursing. That might look good on your resume. The large hospitals anticipate new grads starting in June, and will start hiring early for that. One hospital I know filled all their new grad positions in January. Show interest early. Best wishes!

Can I start getting CEUs before I graduate? and if so how do I go about that?

rnpilot · May 8, 2005

I'm not sure you can get the actual CEUs without a license #, but you can get the book and possibly do the test as a practice, so you can at least say you read the book. It shows interest and might give you ideas for interview questions / answers. You can always submit for CEUs later. Try http://www.nursingeducation.org. Some stuff may be helpful, other stuff not until you're working. Most teaching hospitals prefer new grads as they're kind of a blank slate, so applying early will probably give you the best advantage.

Kalico · May 9, 2005

I'm not sure you can get the actual CEUs without a license #, but you can get the book and possibly do the test as a practice, so you can at least say you read the book. It shows interest and might give you ideas for interview questions / answers. You can always submit for CEUs later. Try www.nursingeducation.org. Some stuff may be helpful, other stuff not until you're working. Most teaching hospitals prefer new grads as they're kind of a blank slate, so applying early will probably give you the best advantage.

Thanks for the info...I'll be looking into the book. I appreciate the help.

Thanks,

Liz :nurse:

KatrinaPM · May 9, 2005

Is there any way you could fit working into your life? If you took a job as a nurse aide on the unit, the likelihood that you'd eventually would be hired would probably skyrocket.

Also, try to contact nurse managers ask them what they would like to see...explain that you have no clinicals in the NICU.

Another option would be (if it's a bigger institution) is set up a day of shadowing. Managers like that a lot because you get some time on the unit and you can see how the unit operates and have an example of what the day would be like. Also, while you're there, I would recommend trying to get to know the nurse you're shadowing and see if she'll put in an extra good word for you.

BabyRN2Be · May 10, 2005

Just curious, but do they hire CNA's in NICU? Is there any special training for a NICU CNA or is it just the regular training?

Thanks!!

Kalico · May 10, 2005

Is there any way you could fit working into your life? If you took a job as a nurse aide on the unit, the likelihood that you'd eventually would be hired would probably skyrocket.
Also, try to contact nurse managers ask them what they would like to see...explain that you have no clinicals in the NICU.
Another option would be (if it's a bigger institution) is set up a day of shadowing. Managers like that a lot because you get some time on the unit and you can see how the unit operates and have an example of what the day would be like. Also, while you're there, I would recommend trying to get to know the nurse you're shadowing and see if she'll put in an extra good word for you.

I wouldn't have a problem working however in order to have my schooling paid for I cannot be employed while I am in school.

I tried to contact one nurse manager and she told me not to even look at working in a NICU until I had worked at least 2 years as an RN on an adult Med-Surg floor. She said that way I would know that I was sure I wanted to be a nurse and I would have experience. My only problem with that is that the NICU is a far cry from Med-Surg and I am in nursing school strictly to be a NICU nurse. I have wanted to be one since I was 7.

As far as shadowing goes I have to have permission from my college and for some reason I have been told I cannot b/c I will have a preceptorship in my second year. I am not guaranteed a spot in a NICU however. This is why I am beginning to get a little frustrated. Any opinions?? :banghead:

suzanne4, RN · May 11, 2005

Just curious, but do they hire CNA's in NICU? Is there any special training for a NICU CNA or is it just the regular training?
Thanks!!

Depending on the facility, they can have phlebotomy training and do the blood draws for the kids that do not have umbilical catheters. They can assist the nurse with procedures, they can feed the infants that are actually able to nipple...............then they can restock, bathe babies, etc.

So much to do, just dependson the facility.

Best suggestion is to get a nurse extern position in a NICU, this will help the best with getting a postion............ :)

KatrinaPM · May 11, 2005

You have to have permission? That's ridiculous! High school students shadow (this is like for a day or two, not a semester's worth.) Also, call around to other hospitals. Not all NICUs hire experienced nurses who've been in other areas.

Other options to think about would be possibly starting on a mother/baby unit where there are well babies there. Or some peds unit that gets nicu overflow when you start.

I'm starting in the NICU as a graduate nurse (just happened to be in the right place at the right time) Contact other nurse managers. That's my suggestion...

Also, do you have to stay in the area that you are? I know that my roommate was looking for jobs either in L and D, and big hospitals like Rush in Chicago, etc, hire new grads into NICUs as well. If that's all you wanted to do, then do it.

I wouldn't have a problem working however in order to have my schooling paid for I cannot be employed while I am in school.
I tried to contact one nurse manager and she told me not to even look at working in a NICU until I had worked at least 2 years as an RN on an adult Med-Surg floor. She said that way I would know that I was sure I wanted to be a nurse and I would have experience. My only problem with that is that the NICU is a far cry from Med-Surg and I am in nursing school strictly to be a NICU nurse. I have wanted to be one since I was 7.
As far as shadowing goes I have to have permission from my college and for some reason I have been told I cannot b/c I will have a preceptorship in my second year. I am not guaranteed a spot in a NICU however. This is why I am beginning to get a little frustrated. Any opinions??

Kalico · May 12, 2005

You have to have permission? That's ridiculous! High school students shadow (this is like for a day or two, not a semester's worth.) Also, call around to other hospitals. Not all NICUs hire experienced nurses who've been in other areas.
Other options to think about would be possibly starting on a mother/baby unit where there are well babies there. Or some peds unit that gets nicu overflow when you start.
I'm starting in the NICU as a graduate nurse (just happened to be in the right place at the right time) Contact other nurse managers. That's my suggestion...
Also, do you have to stay in the area that you are? I know that my roommate was looking for jobs either in L and D, and big hospitals like Rush in Chicago, etc, hire new grads into NICUs as well. If that's all you wanted to do, then do it.

The closest hospital with a NICU only allows high schoolers to shadow, I would have to do a preceptor program. They even had one set up for me if my college would let me do it on my own time this summer in addition to my other classes but like I said, my instructor said no. :banghead:

I don't have to stay in my area after I graduate, I am looking at hospitals in NC, IA, IL, and CO. I am hoping to obtain some NICU related CEU's right after getting my LPN so that when I am done with my RN I can at least add that to my resume and hopefully be looked at more.

KatrinaPM · May 12, 2005

The closest hospital with a NICU only allows high schoolers to shadow, I would have to do a preceptor program. They even had one set up for me if my college would let me do it on my own time this summer in addition to my other classes but like I said, my instructor said no.
I don't have to stay in my area after I graduate, I am looking at hospitals in NC, IA, IL, and CO. I am hoping to obtain some NICU related CEU's right after getting my LPN so that when I am done with my RN I can at least add that to my resume and hopefully be looked at more.

Well....definitely look into Chicago Hospitals. I think my roommate got a job offer at Northwestern, and Rush. Another thing you could do is call nurse recruiters at bigger hospitals and ask them what their suggestions might be. I mean, it's not your fault you're unable to get exposure in your area.