NICU Nurse Wanna Be

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I am hoping to get some suggestions on what I need to do to get a job in the NICU.

I graduated in December 2007 and I am currently being oriented as a float nurse at a general hospital that doesn't have a peds unit. My passion and goal has always been NICU nursing. :redbeathe

I am thankful to have a job because it took me a while to get one. I have been going to work everyday with a smile on my face, but my heart is just not in it.

Can you please tell me what kind of experience is needed? I am willing to take any classes to make my resume more appealing. It just seems that if you do not have peds experience you can't get in. I also have a call out to the HR department of a local Children's Hospital to see what they are looking for.

Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated! :bow:

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Hey RN4EVER 2008, I graduated in dec. 2007 and I didn't have any peds experience, and i've been working in NICU since Jan 08...NICU is my 2nd choice and I only went on 1 interview and was offer the position on teh spot...I think you will have to contact HR and see if they have any openings and go from there. Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

I was hired directly to the NICU after graduation, but it's a new practice in our hospital, and one that's not making many people happy. Most of the staff feels as though you should have at LEAST a year of med-surg before finding a specialty. So...maybe the just busting your orifice in the float pool is a good start for anything.

The people I know who have gone to the float pool seem to really enjoy it for while, though. They have had some great chances to work on their basic skills. I hope you have a good time of it! It took me about 4 months to feel like the RN's actually trusted me to hold their babies. I have to tell you....everything in the NICU is WAY different from everything else I've done. The terms...the meds....the procedures....everything. It was very overwhelming at first.

As for classes....I would also ad the RN educator to your list of people at your Children's, or maybe talk to the nurse manager for the NICU. Here, you can find the NM's number on the hospital website. The downside of classes over there may be out-of-pocket expense. We have to have NRP and PALS within 6 months of hire, and a neonatal CCRN is "strongly recommended," I think in 2 or 3 years. I'll have to check.

I hope you can find some enjoyment in your current position. :)

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Thank you so much for the words of encouragement and information, ilstu99!

I really do appreciate it. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, I just have to be patient! :D

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