Need Encouragement

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello All I have never been very active on these boards but am feeling more and more like this place is a great resource that I should utilize. There are so many smart and experienced nurses in one place, what more could you ask for.

At this point I'm selfishly seeking some encouragement. I interviewed for 1 of 3 NICU spots open at a hospital close by last Tuesday and I'm anxiously waiting to hear if I got it. They said hopefully sometime the beginning of this week I will get a call either way.

I just need a bit of a pep talk. This is the dream job for me and being a new RN words can't express how blessed I feel to have even gotten a chance to interview. I have just recovered from food poisoning when I had my interview so I am fearful that I didn't do as good as I could have during it. I'm sitting now and rethinking everything that we talked about and all the things I wish that I would have said. Don't get me wrong, the interview went great. Personalities definitely clicked with the nurse manager and we got along well (even joking around). I even got a big smile when leaving when she said "I'll see you soon". Could have been a Freudian slip or a casual comment I guess.

Either way now I can't help but to think that I could have answered questions better or explained more about myself. I was just so out of it still from having been sick that my brain was running on power save mode.

Any happy thoughts about hopefully joining this group of amazing NICU nurses would be appreciated :) Thank you.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Likely it's human nature to second-guess one's self after an interview (especially when one REALLY wants the job!!). :)

If it is meant to be, it will happen. :)

If it doesn't happen, it isn't the end of the world, only a turn in the path that continues in the same direction.

Keep us posted / updated please! :)

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After a long wait I finally found out that they want to find someone with more child experience. (Which I have but didn't get out during my interview). I feel so defeated.

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I'm sorry, RNdreams7. It can definitely feel defeating when you had your hopes set on something. I know it can be hard to hear it in the moment, but things have a way of working out the way they should sometimes. I have faith that you will still get to your dream job! It may just be a different path than you initially envisioned. But keep us updated with your progress!

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Well, it's been about 8 months and I'm still dreaming of the NICU. I ended up getting a position at a urology office which has had it's ups and downs (lol....urology joke, get it?). It wasn't what I necessarily wanted but it's been ok. I've gotten lots of skills with blood draws, catheters of all kinds, and lots of different kinds of injections and procedures. Now I'm honestly starting to get bored and finding myself looking at job postings wondering about applying. I'm just not sure how to make myself more marketable for the position. I know some people think that once you worked in an office for a period of time that the hospital won't want you. Plus, the work I was doing although very skill based, didn't have anything to do with neonates. I'm torn. I was thinking about waiting the full year there before I start applying for something new but I know it usually takes a while for call backs about hospital positions.

Enough of my rambling thoughts. My questions...should I wait the full year before applying or should I start now? What can I do to increase my chances of actually getting a NICU position with the experience I have?

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

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Ngysun...

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Specializes in NICU.

If it is truly what you want to do, keep applying to NICU jobs now and don't wait. You have a great answer to why you are leaving your current job: "I like it, but my passion really is the NICU."

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Specializes in NICU.

If child experience is really what they're looking for- what about getting on a Postpartum/Well baby Nursery floor or Labor and Delivery with the goal of getting 6 months- 1 year experience then moving to NICU?

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