New grads in the NICU??

BrandNewBabyNurse · Jul 1, 2016

I just graduated college with my BSN in May, and plenty of people told me over the last 4 years that I'd have to do my time in Med-Surg, or that I ought to want to do med-surg to widen my knowledge base. I've known since before high school though that I wanted to be a NICU nurse, and for me, starting in adult care didn't feel very cross beneficial to NICU (beyond basic nursing skills.) I decided to apply for a very competitive residency at the major university hospital in my city, figuring that it was worth a shot to at least try, because that was my only way into the NICU as a new grad in my area. I got chosen for an interview, and amazingly ended up getting the job. I start in a couple weeks, but I'm proof that you don't always have to "do your time" in a different field before specializing! I will say though that nearly all of the hospitals in my city, and all of the ones with Peds/NICU are now only hiring BSN new grads. Not sure what it's like in your area/current facility, but you may have an easier time getting a spot once you have your BSN. Best of luck!

Dstudentnurse7 · Jul 1, 2016

Thanks! I'm in NJ and the hospital I work at hires ADN's for the residency program as long as we get our BSN within 5 years. I just get nervous to start there because everyone says start in med surg, even some nurses I've met in the NICU when I shadowed there for a day. I get so hung up on this too because like you I've wanted to work in the NICU since high school and went to nursing school directly out of high school. I'm still young so I won't be upset if I don't start off in the NICU, I'll get there eventually because the hospital I'm at always looks at internal applications and stuff, just was looking for opinions on starting as a new grad since the applying process for me will start within the next few months. Congrats on your job and best of luck!!! í ½í¸Š

jgx4.0 · Jul 2, 2016

I graduated in December and landed myself straight into a level III NICU. If you know it's what you want, there's no use in gaining skills in adult-land. It's my opinion that the old adage saying that one should pay their dues in med-surg only applies if you haven't figured out what you want yet, or you want to work in an adult specialty. Shoot for NICU if that's what you really want. I got a lot of the same advice that you've been given during school and I took with with a grain of salt and a determination that I didn't want to do anything other than NICU. It sounds like you've got the right mindset and realize that no matter what you do, going straight to NICU might not be a possibility. Sometimes it's all about the timing and the unit might not be hiring at the time that you graduate. I'm in love with my job, can't imagine doing anything else, and wonder how I got so lucky most days. Good luck!!

HisKids37 · Jul 2, 2016

I graduated with my ADN and started immediately in a NICU. I'm sure it varies by area, but where I live, hospitals prefer to hire new grads directly into the department they really want.

Dstudentnurse7 · Jul 2, 2016

Thanks!! Congrats to you! Was it a new grad residency program or just a nursing position?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jul 3, 2016

I was hired as a new grad into Level IV NICU. We just had a new group of new grads (maybe 12) that started the classroom portion of the training last month. We have another group of new grads starting this month. Most nurses on our unit have their BSN, but some only have their ASN. Most of the new hires either worked in the unit as a PCT or did a summer externship on the unit. I did neither, but had a Capstone preceptorship at another Level IV NICU. We seem to be hiring almost exclusively new grads. We have a huge unit (102 beds) with 300 RNs. A vast majority of our turn-over is nurses going back for their NP.

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jul 3, 2016

Apply for the job you want, but be prepared for anything. I don't know if you mean babies or brains (NICU) but just apply. A classmate of mine was hired as a new grad for the NICU (brains) and I was in residency with a new grad in the NICU (brains). If you get a full-time offer for a surgery floor, I would not hold my breath waiting for the ICU. A year or two later you can always transfer. I was hired for a tele stepdown as a new grad (and I don't have my BSN). Good luck and welcome!! :up:

Pediatricnurse19 · Jul 5, 2016

Really they prefer to hire everyone into the specialty that they want? What state do you work in?