New Grads in NICU

Published

Do most NICUs accept new grads? Or do you need previous experience before they will take you in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Not only do most NICUs hire new grads - many PREFER them.

It's harder to take someone who has worked in adults for years and try to teach them the world of NICU. It's just too specialized, and they have to unlearn everything. It's not impossible, and I know plenty of NICU nurses who used to work with adults and do just fine on the unit. It's just much easier to work with a fresh slate, you know? The majority of nurses I work with started NICU as new grads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunatly our unit has not had new grads in many years, nor do we take transfers from other areas. Only experienced level III RN's need apply or RN's internallly who are intermediate trained. Personally I find this to be unfortunate since new grads addd a lot to a unit. Also I was a new grad once and if I were one today my unit wouldn't even consider me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do most NICUs accept new grads? Or do you need previous experience before they will take you in?

YES!!! like Gompers said, the norm is that they prefer them.... certain units, I suppose wont, maybe they dont have a resource to educate and train them> I dunno.but deffinitely yes..... In my unit, we have a whole crop of at least 10 every June.......Good thing for me, because I was going to nursing school specifically to be NICU nurse...... and nothing else...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there! I am brand new to these boards, actually found them, accidentally, by browsing the web for nursing school graduation attire. Lucky for me! :) I am in the same boat as NoCrumping... I am going to school, just to be a NICU nurse, nothing else...Right now, I work as an LPN on a Med-Surg. floor, where I started as a PCT (Tech), my first semester of nursing school. Now, I am 3 months from graduation, and my heart is still set on working NICU. I was actually wondering the same thing; Will a hospital take me right out of school (well, by the time I finish & am RN eligible, I will have worked for 11 months as a Tech., & 5 months as an LPN on a M/S floor.).. I hope & pray I can find a hospital that will hire me on in NICU!! :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like you two, I am also in nursing school just to be a NICU nurse. That's what my heart has always been set on and that's why I asked!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just graduated and found that the NICU at a Children's hospital also prefers new grads! Don't sell yourself short. I contacted them twice after my interview to thank them once and let them know I was still interested! Must have worked, I start in a few weeks!

:rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

I have a scholarship with a local health agency and have to work for them for a year after this december. They said that they definatly take new grads in NICU. I think its a level 3 NICU and its in the Washington DC area.

So there are definatly ones out there that will take you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I am a nursing student and just got hired at Children's Hospital in the NICU. The nurse manager seemed VERY open to student nurses and new grads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do most NICUs accept new grads? Or do you need previous experience before they will take you in?

For those who have the experience, how long is the training for a new grade NICU nurse?

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had 12 weeks of orientation with a preceptoras a new grad. After orientation was over, we had 3 weeks where we were assigned a buddy who could help us if needed.

For nurses who have experience outside of NICU, they have a 6 week orientation in the unit and then 3 weeks with a buddy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You mentioned that you work at a local agency in the DC area...I was just curious of the name of this agency. I live in working distance of DC and have been looking at possible places that offer to assist with your education as well as offer a job opportunity. Thank you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion