New Grad NICU Support Thread

ADN - May 2008

BSN - May 2010

Taking my professors' advice to get med-surg experience first, I've been working on the med-surg floor at a small community hospital in Yonkers, NY since June 2008. My dream is to become a NICU nurse. The hospital I work at does not have a NICU or a mother-baby unit, or even pediatrics.

I've been applying to NICU positions since May 2010. However, I have found that everyone finds a "candidate more suitable for the position" since I do not fit the criteria of "previous NICU experience preferred."

I am still hanging on to my dream of becoming a nurse in the NICU.

What do I do now?

I started working as a new graduate in a Level 3 NICU in October 2010. The hardest part for me was simply applying what I had learned (mostly on adults) in a completely different patient setting. The assessment was the same and different all at the same time. It still followed the same layout... head to toe, however what you are assessing can be and is different in the babies. Also, working with the parents and family was something I had to get used to. They are usually quite anxious or scared because they do not understand everything that is happening with their baby. Some will simply ask you questions and others will act out this anxiety in emotions. Being able to understand that, and deal appropriately with parents and their varying personalities is a big part of being a NICU nurse.

Working in the NICU was my dream because I had worked there for a year as a student nurse... I knew it is where I wanted to be. It has been extremely fulfilling, at times demanding, but overall I would not change a thing.

If you are about to start working in a NICU... enjoy it! If you are still seeking a job, my advice for you is to never quit. You may have to take a position that pays a little lower since you don't have any or very little NICU experience... but if that is truly your dream, then I would say go for it! Some important things to remember during a NICU interview: discuss being a team player (gives examples in nursing school or your current job), show enthusiasm and appreciation about the prospect of working in the NICU, and lastly... be yourself in your interview and let your inner goodness shine through.

Thanks irish nurse for the info and along with everyone else, I will keep it all in mind on my NICU journey. While in school, I'd always thought for sure OB/L&D was where I wanted to be, that was only until my third day while precepting in L&D, my preceptor and I ended up having to spend the rest of the day in the NICU due to short-staffing. OMG! After 5 minutes of being there I was sold! One nurse allowed me to give feedings thru g-tubes, showed me how to warm the feedings, reposition them, and of course rock, hold, and feed the growers. I enjoyed every minute of being in the NICU more so than I ever had while in L&D; I felt as though this area was my calling.

Funny thing is though, I had never given it one thought before, just never seemed to cross my mind I suppose until I was actually exposed.

Ever since that wonderful experience, my eyes have been set in the specialty. As it turns out, since graduating this past May, trying to get any job in a hospital in my area is like pulling teeth. So I've ended up accepting a job in a LTC facility since they were the first to offer employment. Meanwhile, I've been in contact with the Nurse recruiter at our local Children's hospital for a position I put in for on their CVICU. She's told me that I will definitely be considered once they start interviewing and to keep in touch with her. I've even went so far as signing up as a volunteer in this same Children's hospital in their NICU.

Nonetheless, I am staying optimistic and praying that I will one day land a position in a NICU as you all have and start taking care of these little angels. I am so happy for all of you (and a tad bit jealous I have to admit) that have been able to find your calling in the NICU, so please keep posting your experiences as this is what also keeps me going.:redpinkhe

2Nurture1

Thanks for starting this. I am a (sorta) new grad, graduated August 2010 and will be starting in a level 3 NICU August 22. I did an internship through CINHC while I was looking for work in a different level 3 NICU. I love the NICU and am super excited to start!

Hi All! Happy to have this thread. Just graduated with my BSN in May and got my RN shortly thereafter. I am so lucky to have found a NICU RN job at a local Level III NICU. Just started last week and recently had my first day on the floor, loving it! I am super nervous and want to learn everything I can, so hopefully this forum will be a good information source and support zone.

I recently joined NANN and ANN for the CNEs, journals, and the points (my hospital uses a ladder merit system for RNs). Does anyone have any ideas about other great resources or organizations? Specifically I am looking for some really great journals.

Also- anyone have any good NICU brains they would like to share? I am making up my own, but I would like something to compare it to. A lot of the nurses in my unit just make their own on scratch paper, but I like something pre-printed so I don't forget things.

My NICU brain: http://www.mediafire.com/?puw56ye42g5bq2f

It's an excel spreadsheet.

That's a cool brain, Bortaz. I don't use a pre-printed one anymore, but I'm interested in them because they may help our new nurses that I sometimes precept. Thanks for sharing yours.

One thing I do on my improvised brains: I make sure to make sure to draw two small boxes near the corner. I label one Family and write in any changes or questions that I need to relay to parents. I label the other Doctor, for any MD order questions I have or any assessment issues I want to relay. It never fails that I'm up to my elbows in ostomy refeeding fun when the team rounds and I'll forget something if I don't write it in one specific place.

I am currently in my second year of a BSN program and should graduate December 2013. When I graduate my dream is to work in a NICU. This is my second degree and a big reason as to why I went back to nursing school was because I knew I wanted to take care of sick babies. I have been told that getting a position in a NICU as a new grad is near impossible. Given that you all have made it there my question to you is what can I do to get there as well. Right now I am a tech on a Mother Infant Unit and I have 2 and 1/2 more years left to prepare for applying for jobs, what in that time can I do to get into a NICU? Any advice is appreciated!!!

I don't know about your area, but I didn't have any problem getting a job in NICU right out of school. Will be 2 years in Nov. In fact, my unit has quite a few new grads lately.

I don't know about your area, but I didn't have any problem getting a job in NICU right out of school. Will be 2 years in Nov. In fact, my unit has quite a few new grads lately.

What state and area to you live? Im in Bay Area, CA and finding a new grad NICU position any where in CA has been a challenge.