New Grad wants 2 work in NICU!

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Hello

I am a recent grad, who has just sucessfully passed my boards. I know for sure that I want to work in the NICU, It has been my dream since I was a child and I also did my preceptorship in the NICU while in Nursing School, and I absolutely know that is where My heart is! I was super siked to work in the NICU as soon as I passed my NCLEX, but there is absolutely no openings near me, in the mean time what should I do? Can anyone point me in the right direction? I was going to just do med surg 4 the mean time, then when an opening arises, I will apply. Are there Any special certifications that I should go and get? If anyone could help Me out that would be great! Thanks alot!

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Hello

I am a recent grad, who has just sucessfully passed my boards. I know for sure that I want to work in the NICU, It has been my dream since I was a child and I also did my preceptorship in the NICU while in Nursing School, and I absolutely know that is where My heart is! I was super siked to work in the NICU as soon as I passed my NCLEX, but there is absolutely no openings near me, in the mean time what should I do? Can anyone point me in the right direction? I was going to just do med surg 4 the mean time, then when an opening arises, I will apply. Are there Any special certifications that I should go and get? If anyone could help Me out that would be great! Thanks alot!

ACLS and PALS are certifications you should get....some hospitals have their own classes.

I know Boston Medical Center has a new grad program for their NICU.

all the best and congrats on passing the boards:yeah:

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Moving to NICU nursing forum for more responses

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

You do not need ACLS or PALS for NICU. NRP is a certification you will use in NICU, as well as BLS and STABLE certification.

Instead of M/S, you may want to try to get into peds, PICU or well-baby until a NICU position comes up.

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You do not need ACLS or PALS for NICU. NRP is a certification you will use in NICU, as well as BLS and STABLE certification.

Instead of M/S, you may want to try to get into peds, PICU or well-baby until a NICU position comes up.

Yes I totally agree with You Steve and that's where I have been trying to look for Jobs, but there is nothing open where I live. I live in Western Mass so the Only NICU near Me is Baystate in Springfield, MA and then CT Children's hospital In Hartford, which is almost a hr and 1/2 from me. So as U can see I don't have much to choose from! Where is this so called Nursing Shortage haha! Thanks for your Input though, I totally agree with You!

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ACLS and PALS are certifications you should get....some hospitals have their own classes.

I know Boston Medical Center has a new grad program for their NICU.

all the best and congrats on passing the boards:yeah:

Thank You very Much!

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Congratulations on passing boards!

When I graduated and moved out west, there were no openings for NICU either. Peds, mother baby didn't either. I went into med-surg and transfered when an opening was available.

I got my ACLS in the mean time although it is not required. I take NRP next week and PALS next month (we are cross trained to peds).

Much luck to you!!!

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Specializes in NICU.

NRP, STABLE and Cardiac STABLE are generally offered at the hospital where you work in the NICU-and NRP will be part of your orientation (most likely). But in the mean time, I agree-try Peds/PICU/Well baby Nursery and/or Post Partum.

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I am not sure if you found a job yet but I was a new grad also and took a job in Manchester while living in Western MA in the NICU and love it. They are a wonderful group of people.

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NRP, STABLE would be safe bets. Also think self based education. Get a good neonatolgy book: Merestein or Kenner.

I would definately, look at Well born nursery or Mother/Baby to get some related exp. Or even L&D, especially if they have high risk deliveries. Hope that helps.

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Specializes in NICU - 112 bed NICU.

We have one postiion open right now at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando

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