New Grad NICU Support Thread

Shanlee79 · Aug 15, 2010

The neonatal world is a complete 180 from the adult world. I came from the adult world as a tech in ICU and SAC level units and when I got hired on into the NICU as a nurse, it was culture shock.
I've been there 3 months now and am still getting used to the are and how things work and are done because of the difference. It's been a slow transition for me becasue I have all of these habits from the adult world that I have to let go of because they don't apply here.
I would say that if this is where you want to be, go for it. In my unit, they didn't require any extra neonatal experience. I had never set foot inside a NICU until I started my orientation on the unit.
I think that any area you start out in as a new grad is going to be difficult. Each unit serves a different population with different diagoses. No two units are exactly alike.

Thanks for the reply! I have since gotten in touch with the patient mgr for the NICU and now have shadow days set up for this month! I spoke with her about my concerns about being a student. I explained that most advisors in school have steered us away from specialty areas but like you pointed out, she also mentioned that they love to have fresh nurses without old habits that need to be broken. So, I guess I'll see. So excited for the opportunity!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2010

QUESTION!

In the event I am unable to secure a position in the NICU as a new grad, I was wondering whether it would be better to work first in peds or in adult med/surg for nursing experience. I know times are tough and we might not be able to choose where to work, but thought I'd ask so that I may prioritize my opportunities. Thanks!

Jolie, BSN · Aug 17, 2010

My personal opinion is that some kind of peds experience or mother-baby would be better than adult med/surg.

Much of adult health/med/surg has to be "unlearned" in order to succeed in the NICU, causing many candidates struggle. Better to avoid that difficulty, if possible.

BNE103 · Aug 22, 2010

So glad to see this thread!!

I'm a new grad (graduated just 12 days ago!) and am officially starting on the unit (a Level III) TOMORROW (in just 8 hours!!)! I worked there as a student for about 2 months before graduating, so it's not as scary as being brand new, but still pretty overwhelming! I just keep telling myself that they don't expect me to know it all in one day (right...? ).

I was a 26-weeker myself, so NICU has always been close to my heart. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to care for my little patients now!!

Nice to meet you all and GOOD LUCK to my fellow newbies! We can do it!!

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2010

Good luck!

thefabulousmrst · Aug 30, 2010

Me too! It works :)

NurseJAG · Sep 3, 2010

Wow its great hearing about all the new grad's job positions in the NICU. Hearing everyones stories makes me even more excited to finally graduate. I also wish to work in the NICU right after I pass my boards. However, I am still in my last semester of nursing school and I am precepting in a adult medsurg unit b/c it was the only thing available for me. Do I have a chance to win my first nursing job in the NICU if i havent precepted in one ??

gibson0726 · Sep 3, 2010

Wow its great hearing about all the new grad's job positions in the NICU. Hearing everyones stories makes me even more excited to finally graduate. I also wish to work in the NICU right after I pass my boards. However, I am still in my last semester of nursing school and I am precepting in a adult medsurg unit b/c it was the only thing available for me. Do I have a chance to win my first nursing job in the NICU if i havent precepted in one ??

You can absolutely get a job without prior experience in the NICU. A lot of NICU managers are aware that we do not get a lot of exposure to the NICU during nursing school. Honestly, I have only been a NICU nurse for 7 months and I have already forgotten much of the "adult" stuff I learned in nursing school. I had to relearn so many things and it is like a whole different world. It has been extremely challenging and I am just ready for it all to click..the seasoned RN's tell me that won't happen until I have been working for 2-3 years!

I have also talked to nurses who started in other areas prior to working in the NICU. They said it was pretty hard to shift their thinking to neonates because it was so different, however their time management was already ingrained. Good luck and if NICU is really where you want to work, I say go for it! It the passion for your job that will get you back to work after a hard shift.

lovelyhelper23 · Sep 18, 2010

I need help moving to Miami so I can be closer to family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP! Ok so I work in Maryland right now, started in NICU as a new grad earing $27 an hour as base rate. Now that I have 1 year experience I want to work in a NICU in Florida...what are the chances of me earning $27 in Miami area having the one year experience and being able to talk and write fluently in Spanish?

lovelyhelper23 · Sep 18, 2010

Oh and I want a NICU RN position of course. So does anyone recommend any good hospitals to work in Miami.

Akeos · Sep 20, 2010

I graduated in may and haven't been able to find a job yet. NICU is definatly where I want to end up and I talked to the nurse recruiter at children's hospital, she told be to even be considered make sure my cover letter was "all about the babies" and how I would care for them. Can anyone please help with putting this cover letter together? I'm kinda lost when it comes to writing it. Thanks!

Corkybabe12 · Sep 21, 2010

Greetings all!! I am in my last semester of nursing school, and I just accepted a GN position in the level III NICU that I currently work in as a tech- I cannot wait to read all of the tips and support on here! :nurse: