New grad question??

[Dstudentnurse7]

Hi everyone,

I had a few questions about applying for jobs! I graduate in December, and was wondering when the best time to start applying for jobs is? And as new grads, when applying to NICU's, do you apply to the actual job posting or a new grad program (for larger hospitals)? One hospital im looking at has a new grad program which is its own general application, so I was curious to what other new grads who were hired in the NICU did. I was planning on applying to the new grad program as well as the NICU job posting, and the other question is when is the best time to start. thanks guys! (Ps, I already work at this hospital so it would be internally) just was curious about everyone's experience as a new grad!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

For open job postings, it depends on the hospital's online application system. Some will let you submit your application prior to licensure and others wont. On some of the applications there would be a question "Do you have a current license for the job you are applying for?". If you choose "no" then the computer will give the message "You do not qualify for this position" and exit the application process or get an instant "not under consideration" once I submit the application and check status.

I applied to openings that did not state "XX yrs of Level III/IV NICU experience" and new grad residencies. I applied to about 50 job openings (3/4 of them NICUs). I got a phone call from three.

The first one was a hospital (90 miles away) that had a Level III NICU for their Pediatric New Grad Program that included NICU. The New Grad Residency Coordinator could not guarantee a NICU placement after the residency. They were going to place me where they had a need. She asked me to submit more paperwork, but an hour later my online status was "not under consideration".

The second was a NICU New Grad Residency at a hospital (800 miles away) with a Level III NICU. I had several phone calls with the Nurse Recruiter and a call from the Unit Manager. They paid for airfare, 2 nights hotel, and rental car for the interview.

The third was at a Children's Hospital (180 miles away) in their Level IV NICU. I had several calls from the nurse recruiter and Unit manager. It was not a new grad residency, but had a 12 week classroom/preceptorship orientation. I ended up accepting this job offer.

I would start looking on Indeed.com and search for "New Grad Residency NICU" now. Most will start in Jan/Feb and applications will be due October/November. Vanderbilt's New Grad Residency has a Sept 9th deadline. Nurse Residency Program (New Grads) - Apply

[Dstudentnurse7]

Thank you so much for all of the info :)