I recently graduated with my ADN, I have my KY provisional license, and I'm still looking for a job. When we did our peds rotation at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisiville I fell in love with NICU. I have always wanted to work with babies since I became an LPN, but never really had a chance to do so. Now that I've graduated I'm finding it hard to get my foot in the door...anywhere, but especially NICU. I actually got an interview for a PICU, but didn't get considered though I thought I gave it my best shot.
One of the NICU nurses I talked to said that "you either love it, or hate it", but to give it at least 6 months on the job. I admit that I am scared of making a mistake with such a little patient, but I also actually feel I can do the job. How do I pick a hospital in which to apply? I'm starting to apply to positions out of KY since there are only 2 NICU's here. Its as hard to get a job on a NICU as it is Labor and Delivery, another area I have an interest in if I can't get NICU.
Some people ask me why I want to work with babies? I tell them truthfully that after working with geriatrics so long, I'd like to work with the other end of the lifespan. See them come into the world. I know NICU isn't all happy outcomes, I really do...but I still want to work there. But how do I get the job?
What a myth! Why do you need med-surg skills in order to work with babies? I think it's because we have such a shortage in that area that they're trying to trick you into it!
I worked on a trauma surgery floor as a nurse tech and did my practicum on a NICU and it didn't help me. Babies are a COMPLETELY different population.
That being said, I'm not a "real nurse" yet, so my opinion may not be valid...
Thanks to the nursing shortage, and many excellent new grad orientation programs, the "year of med surg" requirement is no longer necessary.
While med surg is a great place to hone your time management, charting and critical thinking skills, NICU is a whole other ball of wax. We had several ex-MS/ICU nurse join us in my last unit, and after a few months, became excellent NICU nurses.
Well, I just got an interview today for ICU. I still haven't heard anything from the NICU I applied too except email saying that the position that I applied for is filled. Today there was another opening posted, so I applied for it. My interview for ICU is next week and its with the same hospital system. If I get the job it will at least get my foot in the door and I can possibly do an internal transfer sometime down the road. Now my dream would be for NICU to call on monday and offer me an interview as well. What ever happens I'm not burning bridges to a chance to get into the hospital
Thanks to the nursing shortage, and many excellent new grad orientation programs, the "year of med surg" requirement is no longer necessary.
While med surg is a great place to hone your time management, charting and critical thinking skills, NICU is a whole other ball of wax. We had several ex-MS/ICU nurse join us in my last unit, and after a few months, became excellent NICU nurses.
So glad to hear! I never even bothered applying to NICU as a new grad as it was clear and evident that they did not hire new grads (unfortunately). I was still hesitant to apply with only 10 months MS experience for fear of rejection, but thankfully I got in.
Too bad we are the only hospital in a 250 mile radius.......pretty much have no choice here
I hope I am one of those that does well and that my MS skills help in some way....lol
Well I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. I called yesterday both to the HR department and the Nurse Recruiters Office. HR said they would follow up with the manager in question and the Nurse Recruiters Office said I should be getting a call (hopefully) this week about one of the NICU positions I applied for. At this point I'll take whatever I get, but if this falls through I definately will start applying to every NICU I can within a reasonable drive from KY.
Well I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. I called yesterday both to the HR department and the Nurse Recruiters Office. HR said they would follow up with the manager in question and the Nurse Recruiters Office said I should be getting a call (hopefully) this week about one of the NICU positions I applied for. At this point I'll take whatever I get, but if this falls through I definately will start applying to every NICU I can within a reasonable drive from KY.
Zoobyli,
At least you're now aware of some other places which hire new grads in their NICU's so you should be able to use this knowledge as "leverage" in your local interviews. You can tell them "I'd rather work here but it doesn't make any sense to invest a year or two working outside the NICU somewhere to satisfy your requirements when I can go somewhere else and start right away and receive better pay and benefits.
I am glad I don't actually HAVE to work another unit before transferring a NICU. My problem is that IF UK does fall through, I need to find a place that can also help with relocation expenses. Which is the #1 problem I will face if attempting to go out of state, heck even IN my home state it will be a problem.
I'm very happy to learn that I could actually work in the NICU right after I graduate. I was a little worried. I was told I need to do one year of med surg. But I know NICU is where I want to be.
I was told the same thing by both my nursing professors and my mom (who has been a NICU nurse for 21 years). Luckily I decided to work on a medsurg in an all pediatric facility. I think they tell you that so that you can hone your assessment skills and time management skills before you decide to become too specialized!
I was told the same thing by both my nursing professors and my mom (who has been a NICU nurse for 21 years). Luckily I decided to work on a medsurg in an all pediatric facility. I think they tell you that so that you can hone your assessment skills and time management skills before you decide to become too specialized!
NB, et al,
You certainly can't do any harm working peds med-surg for a year or two. Assessments in NICU are so very different, however, that one could easily argue against the relevance of such experience in other contexts. To be sure, if you spend a career in NICU you will find it difficult at best to do other nursing work late in your career. My wife has been in NICU for at least 38 years. She wouldn't consider anything else at this point in her career and would have great difficulty adapting to other environments, just as others would have great difficulty adapting to hers at the same point in their careers.
The appeal of nursing is that you have almost unlimited options these days. Do what works for you and don't lose sleep over what others are doing.
Such a good point. It doesn't look like NICU will be my first RN job, but Iknow I'll get there eventually. I look at it as a good way to gain experience in time management, something every nurse needs to get down no matter where they work. Also learning to trust that little voice inside that lets you know something isn't quite right with your patient despite all outward signs to the contrary.
babyNP., APRN
1,923 Posts
What a myth! Why do you need med-surg skills in order to work with babies? I think it's because we have such a shortage in that area that they're trying to trick you into it!
I worked on a trauma surgery floor as a nurse tech and did my practicum on a NICU and it didn't help me. Babies are a COMPLETELY different population.
That being said, I'm not a "real nurse" yet, so my opinion may not be valid...