Published Apr 22, 2005
RU_nurse2b
3 Posts
Do most NICUs accept new grads? Or do you need previous experience before they will take you in?
Gompers, BSN, RN
2,691 Posts
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.
wjf00
357 Posts
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.
NoCrumping
304 Posts
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...
LPNchick
1 Post
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!!
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!
megs07
8 Posts
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:
twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN
1,289 Posts
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!
Love4Me, RN
134 Posts
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.
epiphany
543 Posts
For those who have the experience, how long is the training for a new grade NICU nurse?
Thanks
nikiw
16 Posts
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.
Angelchic122
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 :)