Nicu residencies

[NICUnLDRN]

Hello, I’m about to start nursing school in a couple of months and I already know that I want to work in the Nicu. I currently live in upstate NY and none of the hospitals accept new grads into the nicu up here and I want to go straight into my specialty. Once I graduate I plan on moving to wherever I get accepted into a nicu new grad residency. I was wondering if anyone has any hospitals/states that accept new grads into the nicu? Im okay with moving anywhere especially down south like Florida, Atlanta or Texas. However I don’t know that much about the different hospitals down there so any insight is nice. Thanks

[Sour Lemon]

Most people who require nursing care are adults, so wanting to go straight to NICU doesn't mean that you'll necessarily be able to.

Beyond that, you're getting a little ahead of yourself. It's good to plan, but a lot can change in the years it will take you to actually graduate and get licensed. I'd suggest you start looking closer to your graduation date so that your information is accurate. Around my area, hospitals flip back and forth with regard to hiring new graduates for anything.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It is great that you have a goal to drive you through nursing school. I would encourage you to stay open, as most of us went into nursing school believing we knew exactly what we wanted to do. Subsequently, most of us are not working in the specialty we thought we wanted.

Sometimes that is due to not being able to get hired in that specialty. Sometimes it is due to coming to a rude awakening when actually exposed to the reality of the specialty. In my case, I was just sure I was meant to be an oncology nurse. I was wrong and it caused me no small amount of cognitive dissonance while I figured it out.

NICU, pediatrics and pediatric oncology in particular tend to be romanticized and the reality shock can be truly disheartening. Not saying it to discourage you as much as to prepare you that things change and you will want to be flexible in your thinking. Also, not much of nursing school applies to the NICU, so you will want to be ready to care for the elderly, the sick and their families while you are learning.

There are a lot of nurses that work NICU and they got there somehow, so it stands to reason you can too. It is, however, probably THE most competitive specialty to get into and has the lowest turnover. Its great you realize you will probably have to move. You will want to prepare yourself for a pretty rough climb and position yourself as best you can to be the most viable candidate.

Parkland Hospital in Dallas has new grad residencies for NICU. They take about six people a year, sometimes less, depending on staffing needs and, from what a friend tells me, the number of applications is in the hundreds per slot. They are a Level IV NICU and the county hospital for Dallas County. You will want to sign up for their notifications to see when residencies post to get an idea of their usual scheduling. They don't have one every year - it largely depends on the needs of the unit. The Medical City hospitals in the DFW area have residencies as well, as does the Texas Health Resources brand, Baylor and JPS and they are similar - there isn't always a NICU residency and it varies when each of them post them. None of them takes large numbers. The consistent factor is how many applications each one gets for even one opening.

Good luck in school and in your future job hunt!

[verene, MSN]

On of my nursing school friends was extremely passionate about NICU and knowing that is where she wanted to go (and she did end up there as a new grad!). It took her a lot of work and self-advocating - very good grades in nursing school and letting instructors know that this was her passion. Normally students did not get a NICU senior practicum placement but because she'd advocated for herself and had really good grades in school the NICU RN Manager granted her and interview and decided to take her on as a practicum student. (She did have to get some extra training out of her own pocket on neonatal resuscitation etc). In order to land a residency she applied to every NICU residency across 6 states and was fortunate enough to gain placement at a well-respected Level IV NICU, but it involved her doing a lot of independent research, sending out a lot of applications, and ultimately moving out of state. Last I heard from her she's thriving and loves her job.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Getting into the NICU as a new grad may be difficult, but can be done. You need to set yourself up to be the best candidate. Ideally, if your school offers Capstone placements, get a NICU placement. I had a NICU Capstone at a Level IV NICU and applied nationwide for a job. Out of 50 applications, I had 2 interviews and 2 offers. I accepted a job at a Level IV NICU. We almost exclusively hire experienced NICU nurses and new grads that worked as our PCAs, former Summer Externs, former Capstone students.

While you may desire certain cities or states, be open to move to an undesirable location for 2 years to get experience. 2 yrs experience in a Level III or IV opens up far more opportunities than you would have as a new grad.

Once you get to your last year of nursing school, if you are still set on going into NICU nursing, search "NICU new grad residency" at indeed.com. They will show some of the hospitals that have NICU residencies. Two NICU residencies that I applied to are Vanderbilt Children's (Nashville, TN) and Vidant Children's (Greenville, NC).

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You didn't say what kind of nursing program you were attending, but the Level IV NICU at the hospital where I work only hires RNs with BSNs at a minimum. A friend of mine with ICU experience wanted to work in the NICU, and they told her no because she only had an ASN.

[Jellypop]

Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN has a new nurse residency program that requires a year commitment. It is very competitive with many applicants trying to get in. Vanderbilt has a level IV NICU and recognized Magnet Designation status which means they only accept new nurses with BSN. All the info about NRP is found on their website. Good luck with school!

[Josie]

I agree that it is best to keep an open mind during nursing school, but when you finish nursing school Sanford Health's NICU in Fargo, ND would love to have you!

[Nurse.Kelsey, BSN, RN]

Go for the speciality you want. Most people will tell you you cant do it but trust me if you want it enough you can get it right away.

See what you can do at childrens hopsitals with volunteering, always be proactive in clinicals, make great relationships, try to get a nurse externship at a hospital with a NICU....

Set yourself apart with your letters of rec, resume, and cover letter. You can do it!

If its florida, dont come down to south florida. Try orlando. Lots of opportunities there (im in fl myself and see how hard it is in soflo)