New Grad Trying for NICU

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello everyone! I'm a new grad (May 2013) with my BSN and have been searching for my first RN position for quite some time now. While I know I can't be too picky with the way the economy is right now, my main focus is the NICU. I was a patient in the NICU and heard my parents tell me all kinds of stories about the nurses, and I want to be able to give back the same support to others. The NICU is the reason I went to nursing school. I'm very thankful to have gotten my senior practicum in a NICU. I'm willing to move ANYWHERE to get a job.

I've filled out hundreds of applications (mixture of new grad and experienced positions) from Washington state to Maine, and everywhere in between. I've had one interview in which they ended up going with someone who is experienced. Other than that, I've either heard nothing at all or have gotten rejection emails. I've tried emailing and calling a few managers, etc in an attempt to be proactive, and have gotten the same results.

Is there anything you all can think of that would help increase my chances of standing out? Would things like NRP and becoming a Neonatal Nurses Association member be somewhere to start? Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!!

Does anybody feel like starting out in pediatric home care would leave the door open for NICU in the future? I have a good number of classmates who got hired at a local pediatric home care agency and they are encouraging me to apply, but I worry that home care is a tough place to start out as a new grad, and that it not being acute care may have a negative impact on finding a hospital job at some point.

I still have a few possibilities for NICU right now, but if they don't work, I'm feeling ready to give in and find something else.

Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.
If you're truly willing to move anywhere, you might look into the Rio Grande Valley of Texas (McAllen, specifically). The NICUs own here will hire new grads. It's the armpit of the country, but it might get you into the NICU. I, personally, cannot wait to leave here, but your experience may differ from mine. It's been a long 9 years living here, but at least I'll leave with 5 years of Level 3 experience.

The hospitals are horrible, understaffed, little or no modern equipment, mostly foreign-trained nurses, pathetic management, etc etc etc. It's right on the border with a 3rd world country. There's Mexican drug cartel violence and gang violence. But, it's only around an hour from South Padre Island!

I thought NJ was the armpit of America lol :laugh:

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Nah. Just the shoulder blade.

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