New grad NICU in Chicago

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Specializes in NICU.

I recently relocated to Chicago immediately after finishing my BSN in California. I did my senior externship in the NICU and fell in love with it. With no luck, I've applied for NICU positions at Lurie Children's, Comer Children's (UChicago), and Northwestern. As far as I know, many other hospitals in the area don't hire new grads in the NICU. Today I received an offer for a Labor & Delivery position and I expect to receive an offer for a general Peds position, but neither of these hospitals is at the top of my list. In your experience, is it better to stay in the realm of NICU (L&D or Peds) at a less desirable hospital, or accept a position in MedSurg at a higher-ranked hospital? 

Thank you in advance for your advice!

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Hi, congrats on your job offers! The good thing about nursing is that you can always move around and try other specialties. Even if you dislike your first job, you can always switch. 

From my perspective, the most important aspect of a job is working with a good team, supportive management, and a short commute (especially after night shift.) Of course, pay is also a factor but if you're young and don't have a family it might not be make or break for your first job.

It sounds like you are dead set on NICU. If you can't imagine being happy anywhere outside of the peds world, I wouldn't take a med surg job. You will most likely be miserable and I don't think getting a job at a highly ranked hospital is worth that. If your goal is NICU, I recommend taking the pediatrics job. You can apply to a NICU at another hospital in a year or so once you get experience. Good luck! 

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Specializes in NICU & OR.

Congratulations on your offer! I would suggest L&D if there is a NICU in your hospital. I’ve been a NICU RN for 4yrs and often when the unit was short nurses, L&D nurses would float to the unit. They didn’t get high acuity patients but they still took care of babies. You’ll learn a lot! Especially  about medical conditions affecting mom that can contribute to baby coming to the NICU. If the L&D unit your considering catches their babies you could be the baby nurse after mom delivers and take the first set of vitals and measurements after birth.

One of the NICU nurses I look up to most was a L&D nurse and her skill set is unmatched! She’s a great charge nurse, great with the OBs, Neos & L&D nurses! She can work anywhere in Woman’s services which can help when the NICU’s census is low and your getting canceled a lot. I hope this helps. Good luck! You have great options to choose from!

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On 9/9/2022 at 3:49 PM, sadeco said:

I recently relocated to Chicago immediately after finishing my BSN in California. I did my senior externship in the NICU and fell in love with it. With no luck, I've applied for NICU positions at Lurie Children's, Comer Children's (UChicago), and Northwestern. As far as I know, many other hospitals in the area don't hire new grads in the NICU. Today I received an offer for a Labor & Delivery position and I expect to receive an offer for a general Peds position, but neither of these hospitals is at the top of my list. In your experience, is it better to stay in the realm of NICU (L&D or Peds) at a less desirable hospital, or accept a position in MedSurg at a higher-ranked hospital? 

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Congrats! I'm graduating from a Chicago school in December.

Is the L&D position at Northwestern? I did a clinical rotation there and absolutely loved it!

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