NICU RN as a new grad

LisaNICUrn, BSN · Feb 12, 2015

I've only been in NICU for about 2 months but I'll try to answer your question best I can. I came from 2 years of psych so I was basically a brand new nurse. The only downfall was I wasn't straight out of school so I forgot so much that I learned. First of all don't let inexperience discourage you. The other 2 nurses that started with me were straight out of college. We are a level 2 and 3 hospital, the only children's hospital around. We get a lot of transports from other locations. Most nurses say the only advantage they had moving to NICU was that they knew how to manage time, deal with other nurses, and what most medical terminology meant. NICU is so different though, it will take a while to learn the different lab levels and things like that. I know some hospitals refuse to hire new admits, and some love to, just depends on the manager I guess..

But to answer your question, my biggest problem is learning the disease processes, the conditions these beautiful young souls have. I don't know about your school but my school spent about 5 minutes going over neonates and things like that because it's so specialized (hence why training is 12 weeks long). Now that I'm in level 3 and hearing the doctors bark out orders in an emergency when we get a new admit, when there's 5 nurses doing 5 different things and I felt like I hadn't spent a minute in nursing school, I realized I have a lot of studying and learning to do. Find a book about neonates and learn it. Learn about IV's, meds, central lines, definitely learn blood gases, what high and low lab values can mean and cause. Just read and learn things like you were already hired.. Read read read and learn everything you can.

iHeartPeds4ever · Feb 12, 2015

Thank you! You're advice is very encouraging. My school spent a whole semester on neonates so I still have that info fresh in my brain.

StephanieRN14 · Feb 12, 2015

I started as an RN in the NICU (new grad) this past August, so hopefully I can give you some insight on what helped me and some other recent grads on my unit get a job! For me, I had experience as a student nurse (PCT/SNE) for about a year on the same NICU I currently work on, so that was basically what got my foot in the door. I was extremely blessed and lucky to get that position, as I know there are not many opportunities like that every day. A lot of my co-workers did other experiences (capstone, march of dimes, etc) that they were able to put on their resume. I would suggest reaching out to management and seeing what opportunities they have for current nursing students. See if they have any PCT positions available. If not, see if they accept volunteers on the unit to do things like fold laundry, be "cuddlers", stock things, and so on. Not every NICU will hire new grads, so just keep that in mind. It just depends on their preference and the unit's current needs. NICU is definitely different from any other type of nursing out there. When I was in nursing school we did one 4 hour observation in the NICU, not a whole lot of time at all! So I would definitely encourage you to seek out those opportunities that will allow you to gain experience and build your resume. Good luck and please let me know if I can answer any more of your questions!

NicuRN628 · Feb 14, 2015

I am a new BSN grad and I got hired into a level III NICU. I have been here for four weeks now. It is not impossible to get a NICU or peds job directly out of school, but it is very competitive. I am not sure what route you have taken to become an RN but if you are BSN prepared that opens the door to many different hospitals you otherwise may not be considered for. I graduated from an accelerated BSN program with 12 other students, four of us are working in a pediatric area, and we have three students working in ICU areas including PICU and NICU.

I would make sure you are working hard and getting the best grades you can. I would also take the time to go to mock interviews and really go over your resume and have others critique your resume. Be the best that you can be.

Getting in and volunteering in a NICU would be a great opportunity. Being a cuddler would give you experience handling the babies and seeing what goes on in the NICU. Also, if you could shadow that would show that you are really interested in working in that area, it will also allow you to network and give you experience to talk about if you do get a NICU interview.

Forewarning, there is a huge learning curve being a new grad in the NICU. I have spent countless hours at home reading about different diseases and procedures. It is completely different than anything else.

Good luck and feel free to message me if you have any questions!

Lauralawson · Feb 15, 2015

I went into a level 3 Nicu as a new grad 13 years ago. I would recommend buying PCEP (perinatal continuing education program) these books were originally designed for NNP's and Dr.'s, but the info is great for nurses plus you can get CEU's from them. It's s 4 book series that costs about $125 total.

I also would recommend taking NRP & STABLE classes as soon as possible.? These will give you good insight, plus you would need these classes anyways in the NICU. Don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions, if you don't know or understand then ASK!!! It's ok to not understand, just pretend that you do.

Good luck!

NicuRN628 · Feb 15, 2015

I highly recommend Merenstein & Garner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care. I have that as well as Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing which my hospital provided to me, but I very much prefer Merenstein & Garner.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Feb 16, 2015

dalmatianmancer said:
I highly recommend Merenstein & Garner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care. I have that as well as Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing which my hospital provided to me, but I very much prefer Merenstein & Garner.

I bought this book prior to interviewing for a NICU position as a new grad.

I started a month ago in a large Level IV NICU (101 beds) as a new grad. I had done a senior capstone in another Level IV NICU which I am sure helped, plus being male (1 of 3 males out of 300 NICU nurses). If you are truly set on a NICU job and have the ability to relocate, then apply to every NICU opening that does not have an experience requirement or New Grad residency with a NICU placement. The larger hospitals/ NICUs are more likely to hire new grads because they have a long formalized orientation program (mine is 12 weeks).

KSNICURNBSN · Apr 15, 2015

I am a senior BSN student graduating in May and was offered a position in a level III NICU in February for when I pass boards in June. I did not have a capstone/practicum in a NICU, let alone more than 1 clinical experience in the NICU. I do have previous years experience in a hospital as a CNA, and the last year specific to a medical ICU. I had a stellar portfolio and letters of recommendation, with that being said, I felt like my passion and drive for the NICU as well as my goal to continue my education with certification one day (RNC-NIC) and getting involved in the unit committees is what really made them interested in offering me the job.

If you want it and your passion shows, you shouldn't have a problem :) if it's your path, you'll get it. good luck and don't let doubt stand in the way of applying for your dream job!!

tallynurse · May 7, 2015

I got hired as a new grad in a NICU. In school I didn't get any chance to do clinicals or my preceptorship in the NICU. But I did work as a nurse extern in the PACU and my manager there knew the NICU. She was great and called the NICU manager multiple times telling her to hire me. That's what got me in the door. So impress your preceptor and manager during your internship and ask if they would put in a good word for you in the NICU. It seems managers usually know other managers at the same hospital. Also, call up the NICU manager and ask if there are any certifications or anything you can do to help you get hired. If they don't hire new grads, ask what floor you should work on first. Good luck!

BSN<RN · May 30, 2015

I completed a 144 hour preceptorship in the NICU and my school also had a good relationship with the nurse manager- Precepting students were chosen based on an interest in obtaining a position as an RN. I got to know a lot of the staff during my preceptorship and expressed my interest in getting a job after graduation to the manager, who told me to call her after I passed boards. I passed NCLEX, called about an interview the next day, and the following day I interviewed and was offered the job. It was very smooth! Best advice is that if NICU is what you really want, let people know! Do your research on the facility, identify what it is that makes you want the job, and sell yourself.