New Grad going into NICU

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Specializes in Neonatal.

Hi everybody! I just graduated in December with a BSN, passed my NCLEX a few weeks ago, and am starting my first job in a level 3 NICU. I actually start this coming Sunday in newborn nursery for 2 weeks which is a good place to get started if you ask me! I guess I really don't know what to expect much, and I was wondering if you guys could give me some pointers as well as some books that I could get a hold of to keep on top of things. I'm really really excited and I just want to excel, so any tips would be greatly appreciated!

TIA:)

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

The most you will learn is just working on the job. I've been in NICU for almost 20 yrs. There are pros and cons just like any other unit. The hardest part for me has been the advancement of medical equipment to keep 23 week preemies alive. Sometimes they do ok, sometimes they don't. We just had 3 babies die in the last week...all were 24-26 week preemies. I don't like putting the babies and the families through so much, when the outcome may be a life long commitment to a very disabled child. Sorry so negative today...I'm getting burned out from bedside nursing I think.

However, nursing is a flexible career. I think it's good for families. I work part time and get to take care of my kids more than women in other professions.

The NICU can be very rewarding, especially when you get to see the sick ones go home. It can also be full of a lot of nurses with very strong personalities who tend to focus on very minor details in the big scheme of things.

Hope I've helped some.

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I too am a new grad BSN-where'd you get hired?

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Specializes in Neonatal.
I too am a new grad BSN-where'd you get hired?

I'm in South Texas, working at Mission Regional Medical Center. Congrats on the graduation! :up:

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Congrats to you! I actually graduated in May '09. I'm in California and the jobs are practically nonexistent :( I precepted in the NICU, I have all my certs-ACLS, PALS, NRP, I have another degree in psychology... no luck. I'm doing school and community nursing while I wait but I'm starting to get discouraged. Maybe I should try Texas, huh? Sounds like it didn't take you long to get a job... Enjoy it- and know that your counterparts in California are envious! Maybe that'll make it easier on your hard days :)

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Specializes in Neonatal.

Wow, I graduated this past December but I was already working as a nurse tech at the same hospital so I just stopped in to see the director for children's services to see if she had any openings and sure enough there was. But when you look online at our hospitals down here there are no positions posted! Talk about discouraging! It's been a struggle for us all to find jobs and that's because we graduated 90-something students. If you'd like to come to Texas, don't look online, just call up the unit directors directly and see what they say.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Good luck! Feel priviledged to get a job in such an economy,especially a specialty like NICU! I recently applied for a job in NICU and am hoping to be in your shoes soon. I would consider joining AWHONN. I recently did and it gives you lots of good information on journals and books to read, also CEU's.

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Just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow! I also graduated in Dec and am starting in a level III NICU on monday. So excited!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

For those of you who are going to be New Grads in the NICU, did you have any tech experience in the NICU or else where? And were any NICU specific interview questions asked?

Just Curious how you got the job, as I have an interview for a GN position in the NICU and I really want to land the job! :)

Thank you!

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I am also a new grad going into the NICU. I graduated in May and have been rotating around my hospital at Ft Hood completing the Army Nurse Transition Program, the Army's new grad program basically. I just found out yesterday that I am being assigned to NICU after my Med/Surg and Mother Baby preceptorship in April. So excited!!!! I actually am going to be cross trained in Mother baby and Peds in addition to NICU so I can work all 3, thought NICU will be my home. :) I can't wait to start in May!!! I've been looking for good textbooks too so I go ready. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
For those of you who are going to be New Grads in the NICU, did you have any tech experience in the NICU or else where? And were any NICU specific interview questions asked?

Just Curious how you got the job, as I have an interview for a GN position in the NICU and I really want to land the job! :)

Thank you!

No longer a new grad, but I did my transition/capstone course in a level 3 regional NICU and I did an externship (adult CVICU) during nursing school so I'm sure that looked good on my resume.

To the person joining AWHONN for NICU, NANN is better suited for us.

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Specializes in NICU.

I just graduated in December and started my job in the NICU last week. I had had no previous NICU experience, but I did my senior capstone class in pediatrics, which probably helped a little. As far as reading recommendations, if you look in the "stickies" for this page, the one that says Start Here includes a book list. Here's the link:

https://allnurses.com/nicu-nursing-forum/member-recommended-neonatal-45883.html

Best of luck!

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