New Grad NICU Support Thread

Oh I'm so excited I found this thread!! I just graduated in May and landed my dream job last week!! I start July 6th in a level 3 NICU at an AMAZING hospital! Looking forward to reading more posts!

I took NCLEX about a month and a half ago. I second the pearson vue trick. Worked for me!

I took my boards on May 24th. "Pearson Vue Trick" worked for me, as well.

Does anyone have any advice for my NICU interview? It's tomorrow, and I am starting to get very nervous...I've already interviewed for another position somewhere else, and was not near this nervous. I think this is because the NICU is my DREAM job and I want it soo badly. As a former NICU baby and lover of all pediatrics, I feel like this is where I'm really meant to work!

Any tips? Anything is greatly appreciated. :)

Does anyone have any advice for my NICU interview?

Any tips? Anything is greatly appreciated. :)

Some great advice that I acquired from various sources about interviews and some of my own thoughts...

• Take a moment to think about your answer. Silence is okay.
  
• When you are finished answering a question, stop. Nervous rambling/fidgeting is not okay.
  
• Do some research about the facility and ask thoughtful questions.
  
• Point out how the skills you possess apply to the position.
  
• Look up common interview questions on the internet and have a friend interview you for practice.
  
• Try to work in key points. (NRP certified? Member of NANN or ANN? Special conferences?)
  
• Know some common abbreviations (NEC, ROP, etc)
  
• Let your passion and dedication shine through!
  

Best of Luck

Tomorrow is my first day, but it's just hospital orientation. But, still!!

I guess I'm just a bit anxious. Can't wait to start taking care of those little babies!

Good luck to all the interviews!! Don't be nervous, they're already interested in you if they called you for the interview. Remember that! You just have to sell yourself a little bit more! :) Your passion will shine through without you even trying. I promise!

Good luck to those taking the NCLEX! Be confident in your knowledge!

Helo everyone!

I am a December graduate working in a level IV NICU and I LOVE it! It is actually the sister NICU to the one I was in as a patient in 77! I even work with the doctor who took care of me! I worked for two years as a patient care tech in the NICU so that really helped be to be prepared for what I was getting into. I already knew the sights, sounds, layout and most of the staff so that made it so much easier. I was also able to stand back and watch as procedures were done and had nurses explain lots of things to me while they were doing them. But even if you don't get to work in the NI beforehand, it is still an amazing place! So much to learn! Dont stress on trying to be the best nurse out there (there's plenty of time to prove yourself), or to know everything (you never will!), just know that you are always learning and try to think of things in the BIG picture realm! A setback today can sometimes be just what is needed to make things better tomorrow! Don't gripe about the "other" shift, they are doing their best too (even though it may not seem like it to you!). Dayshift has EVERYONE around-hard to keep up with your chart, paperwork, orders, and sometimes yourself!!! Nightshift has few resources to get things taken care of!! Everyone has a bad day from time to time!

Oh and the Pearsonvue trick worked for everyone that tried it in my class!!!

:yeah:Good luck to you all!!!

southern.bellex3: Good luck on the interview!!

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. ~Harriet Braiker

I took my boards last September (its taken me forever to land a job!) and the Pearson Vue trick really does work! I graduated in August 2009 and my entire class used Kaplan, and we all passed!

I am so nervous too! This is what I have wanted for so long and now that it is almost here I have butterflies and self-doubt. But I know that this is what I was meant to do, and God has lead me down this path for a reason! I am very excited but nervous about moving too! I have so much to do between now and July 8th!

As far as interview advice: search for NICU interview questions on this website, there are some fantastic ones. I used those questions on my NICU interview and the manager seemed impressed that I had a list of questions to ask. I really emphasized how I want to be in unit committees as well (implementing evidence-based practice, infection control, etc etc). Just let your passion shine through, and express how you will move anywhere to get into the NICU. You'll do great! Can't wait to hear how it goes!!

Well, I am now back from my interview...a lot of situational questions. I read a lot online to try and get an idea of what I may be asked, but these were different. I think I handled it okay though.

We looked around the Level II and III units. If I'm considered, I will have to go back for a peer interview, probably next week. That part scares me, being interviewed by that many people at once lol(there are up to 8 people on the team), but it will be well worth it to get the job!

I will keep everyone updated on that part :) I want to be part of this so badly!

Thing is, she's only got 2 positions open, according to the nurse recruiter. Those are for new grads and experienced nurses, and the NR said that the manager is interviewing "a lot" of people. No telling what my chances are.

Now I'm just waiting, trying to stay hopeful, and reminding myself that whatever happens is all in God's hands!

Well, I am now back from my interview...a lot of situational questions. I read a lot online to try and get an idea of what I may be asked, but these were different. I think I handled it okay though.

We looked around the Level II and III units. If I'm considered, I will have to go back for a peer interview, probably next week. That part scares me, being interviewed by that many people at once lol(there are up to 8 people on the team), but it will be well worth it to get the job!

I will keep everyone updated on that part :) I want to be part of this so badly!

Thing is, she's only got 2 positions open, according to the nurse recruiter. Those are for new grads and experienced nurses, and the NR said that the manager is interviewing "a lot" of people. No telling what my chances are.

Now I'm just waiting, trying to stay hopeful, and reminding myself that whatever happens is all in God's hands!

Sounds like it went well. Its a tough market out there so I will definitely pray you get the next interview! Best of luck to you! You are right, its in His hands!

@wannabe07- Thank you so much! I appreciate it greatly :) I feel almost like I just took the NCLEX all over again lol...back to the waiting game!

What all do I need to do to become a NICU nurse..Where do I begin in the nursing field? Sorry if this is in the wrong post.