Ellie everyone. I am a new grad (June 2013) ADN. I am currently enrolled in an RN-BSN program. I have been applying like crazy for all RN positions since graduating from NICU to Med Surg. In the hundreds of applications I have now interviewed twice. First for a new grad residency in NICU. I didn't get it and in all honesty I am still heart broken over it! This week I interviewed for a Med Surg position. It seemed pretty promising, but my heart really isn't in it. I truly dread the thought of talking a position in med surg especially with a 2 year commitment.
NICU has been my driving force. It's the reason I went into nursing. I am willing to relocate (currently in SoCal).
Any advise would be more than appreciated!! I really want to get into NICU!
Not necessarily misunderstood, just covering all the bases--also, I didn't see your reply after EricJRN. Honestly, I don't have a hard and fast reason for why I wanted NICU, besides getting a lot of time there as a student (a lot more than is reasonable ) and being absolutely intrigued by my experiences there, so that was definitely something I had to really think about before my interview there. I have also googled 'best NICU hospitals in US' and looked at openings at various hospitals mentioned. If you're not opposed to relocating, that's always worth a try.
Thank you! Yes I very much open to moving and leaving Southern California.
Have you tried volunteering in the NICU? I've volunteered in both level 2 and level 3 NICU's and the commitment is usually only a minimum of 4 hours a week. This way you can get contacts. Also, I've seen many PICU and pediatric floats in our NICU when we are understaffed -- another way into the department.
I have not volunteered in NICU. At this point I have been offered a position on another specialty unit. My dream is NICU so I will apply like crazy again for NICU once I get experience. I am so sad not to start in my dream job, but I know this is not the end all for my path to NICU. I am in contact with a NICU director so once I have experience elsewhere I hope to be able to start the NICU path.
I dunno about the comments about "loving babies" is a bad thing. Honestly, that's exactly how I came into it and it's pretty much what I said to my manager when I interviewed. I suppose you can also add on that you would like to be there for families in crisis to round out why you want to work in NICU. It's true for me.
I love babies and I still do. Sure, it has its sad moments, but the reason why I am in the NICU is because I love taking care of babies. I also work in a Level IV NICU where we do have a few deaths a month, so it's not always sunshine and rainbows...but if someone asked me 5 years ago or today why I'm in the NICU, it's because I love babies, clear cut.
Culli005
77 Posts
Thank you! Yes I very much open to moving and leaving Southern California.