I have been a med-surg rn for 5+ years and am wondering what the best way to transition into NICU would be? Everyone wants experienced NICU nurses, but how can I get experience if no one is willing to train? Any help would be great! I'm in Portland, OR if that matters:wink2:
elizabells, BSN, RN 2,094 Posts Specializes in NICU. Aug 19, 2008 Apply for everything. Hiring trends change, and you never know. I've noticed that my particular hospital swings back and forth between, like, NewGradopalooza and requiring experience in a particular specialty. I know you're not a new grad, but the principle applies. My own hospital has 5 openings in the pedi OR and I've got most of the surgical staff (including the chief of surgery) recommending me, but they *still* won't hire me with 2 years in the organization. If they don't have someone qualified to train a person with no experience in the specialty, you probably don't want to work there anyway. Your orientation would be... not good. Also try WBN, or maybe a level II NICU. Don't know if you're trying for a level III/IV, but maybe it'd be easier to get into a level II? Just guessing, though, I have no real idea.
