New Nurse interviw for NICU

MrsNICU · Feb 29, 2016

Hi! My name is Caroline, and it has always been my goal to be a NICU nurse. Long story short, I took a job in the OR at the hospital I have been wanting to work for (and the only hospital in the area with a NICU). I'm not loving the OR, and I am hoping (and praying!) that some of the connections I have made here will allow me the opportunity to interview for the NICU soon. I have only been out of school for about a year now, and the only other experience I have is the 4 months I worked on a med-surge floor.
My main concern is what are NICU managers looking for in a nurse with no NICU experience? What do you expect new nurses to know about the NICU in an interview? Do I have an advantage based on the fact that I am already an employee at this hospital?
Also, when a potential new hire does a job shadow after the interview, what exactly are you looking for? Is this strategy just to make sure someone is a good fit with other employees?
Side note: I interviewed here for a residency position in the NICU in December 2014. I received positive feedback, but I did not get the job. (I also never heard from anyone saying I didn't get the job, so I missed the opportunity to ask for feedback on why I was not selected). My heart is in the NICU, so if I do get this opportunity to interview there again, I just want to make sure I do everything I can show that I am worthy of the job even though I lack experience.
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Hello! Good luck to you! I have worked in the NICU for years and I have also worked in management. Though we look at longevity in a position, if NICU is your passion, spin your short turn around into a positive. Explain your passion and that you are a go getter, you see opportunities for growth and you quickly seek after them! I am a true believer in what's meant to be yours will be yours!! Just go in there and give it your all!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

Not surprising that you did not get the NICU residency , as your attitude is apparent. "What do you expect new nurses to know about the NICU in an interview? "

Any manager would expect .. respect for another nurse, when advice was given.

Would also expect attention to detail... and spell the word 'interview" correctly.

idialyze, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

some of us are very experienced,
In my case almost 44yrs.... A lot in mgt....
I would not give you a second thought considering, your brief stay at med surg, A very costly six month surgical orientation....., I would consider application as you, "not worth the risk"
i dont, know just over four DECADES of experience, to back up my opinions

34 years as an RN here, and I agree. Would never consider someone with your history. What if you don't like NICU after 6 months of orientation? You are shooting yourself in the foot here, and don't seem to realize it.

canigraduate · Mar 2, 2016

Caroline, to answer your questions:

Nurse managers are looking for reliability and stability. They would expect you to have researched the specialty and to know, in general, what you are getting into. You only have an advantage as a current employee if you are a good employee.

Job shadowing is more important for the prospect, as it lets you get a feel for the culture of the unit. It also gives the hiring manager another chance to cull you from the pack of applicants if anyone doesn't get a favorable impression. You should be friendly, approachable, and agreeable to helping out with non-nursing tasks.

If you were turned down for a residency, unless you are a stellar employee, you will most likely not get a position on that unit. You may get lucky and the hiring manager is different or doesn't remember your application.

Honestly, unless they are desperate, they probably won't hire you until you've shown some stability. If you've been out of school less than a year and have already tried two specialties, it's a huge red flag.

Unless you are an amazing spin doctor, it will be very hard for you to get a desirable position for a long time.

kp1987 · Mar 2, 2016

And she's gone....lol

I have to agree with everyone else, it looks bad leaving a job so soon, especially when they have given you specialized training. You obviously thought you may have liked the OR and you didn't, so what happens if you go to the NICU and end up not liking it either?

jennygdelp · Mar 12, 2016

Unfortunately you were quite rude with your posts princess bride. I apologize for you to the OP. The rest of you, great advice! I will be doing the same once I am out of school. OR isn't for me either.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 15, 2016

Unfortunately you were quite rude with your posts princess bride. I apologize for you to the OP. The rest of you, great advice! I will be doing the same once I am out of school. OR isn't for me either.

First post? Lol.

There was nothing rude about my posts RNCar-I mean jenny. Take a seat.

RNCaroline · Mar 28, 2016

Thank you! I actually received a job offer! I am so excited! :)

RNCaroline · Mar 28, 2016

I was actually lied to and told I would cross-train in PACU, which I quickly realized was never going to happen. I didn't think I would love the OR, I love people, but PACU would have been very good experience. Every person hired along with me was lied to in some way, and we all hate it. The NICU manager had me shadow, as she does with everyone, to make sure this is what I wanted. But I was offered a job. My advice to anyone is to go for what you want! I only changed from my original job due to distance and safety. Obviously don't start with the intention to quit, but I am miserable in the OR and I am losing nursing skills, so I am so excited to finally be where I want!

RNCaroline · Mar 28, 2016

I don't think it took a "spin doctor", but I got a job! :) I simply explained that I had every intention in staying in my first position, but it was an hour away from where I lived, and it was a dangerous drive on a dangerous road (where 5 nursing students were killed last year). I didn't even have to go into the details of being contacted for a job I never applied to FOUR times before I took it. But I did say it was a timing thing and I needed a job close-by. But I think most of all, they saw my passion. I'm glad I didn't see all of your discouraging comments before I went. But I recommend not telling people they will absolutely NOT get a job. Because I got one rather quickly. And with little prep time as I was in the process of moving on the day of my interview :)

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 1, 2016

And she's gone....lol
I have to agree with everyone else, it looks bad leaving a job so soon, especially when they have given you specialized training. You obviously thought you may have liked the OR and you didn't, so what happens if you go to the NICU and end up not liking it either?

Not only that but now she has burned a major bridge. If she doesn't make it through her NICU orientation, she is SoL.