Career Change, Need Help/Advice

[mommymakingchange626]

:DHI,

My name is Melanie and I am new to the site. I am an experienced RN (since 1995, Neuro, ICU) and then got my Adult NP in 2001. I have done long term care, Hospitalist work and now do adult primary care. I live in SF.

Great, so what am I doing here? I have always wanted, and now that I have the means (hubby, more hospitals where I live, support) I can finally pursue NICU nursing. Hoping to one day get my NNP.

Issue is, look at my experience. How do I bust into the field??????

I see places will hire New Grads (sorry, not trying to be snotty to them, we all need our first job) for NICU training or they want a year of experience....so what is a girl like me to do?????

Any and all help is appreciated. Advice, pros/cons, whatever you think (even if you think I am nuts) please share. :bowingpur

Kindest regards!

Melanie:heartbeat

[NICURN29]

I would just go ahead and apply for posted positions in hospitals in your area. We have some nurses who were originally adult critical care nurses who now work in the NICU. We have a nurse who started during the past six months who spent some time in med/surg and then was an in-patient dialysis nurse. We also have a new NICU nurse who did L&D before she came here. And we have some nurses who work for the internal agency in our hospital and are either ED or critical care nurses and come to the NICU. You will not know if a unit will hire you until you apply!

I came into the NICU as a new grad, and I plan to stay here. But I know that our manager interviews all kinds of people to fill our positions, and a person who is a good fit is always welcome on our team!

Good luck!