PRN NICU with no NICU experience?

Jolie, BSN · Sep 22, 2014

I don't mean to dash your hopes, but a prn job should be offered to an individual with experience in the specific clinical area.

Managers love prn staff, because they are less expensive per hour than a regular staff member in OT or an agency nurse. But the benefit of having prn staff is completely lost if one requires extensive orientation prior to working independently.

The only possibility I can see here is if you are well-versed in providing newborn care at delivery and could be scheduled as the NICU -delivery room nurse, if this unit utilizes one. Otherwise, without NICU skills and experience, I don't believe the manager would see much benefit in placing you on staff.

If you are truly interested in NICU, please consider applying for a FT position. I believe you would stand a much better chance of being hired.

adpiRN · Sep 23, 2014

I agree - it seems strange that the job posting doesn't say "x years of NICU experience required".

I definitely plan to apply to NICU FT at some point! It seems like they're hardly ever posted. I'm guessing mostly internal applicants.

But I *think* I may have landed a PRN L&D job at a hospital with a level 3 NICU. So maybe once I'm in the system I can work my way to NICU :)

adpiRN · Nov 18, 2014

Over 2 months after I applied for that NICU PRN job my application status changed to "considering". Which I guess means that they may consider hiring someone with no NICU experience for PRN! Interesting....

I think this particular NICU is desperate for staff at the moment - they have 6 open positions right now! Full time, part time and PRN. I guess that could be a sign of a badly run unit, but hey if it gets me into a NICU, especially with the schedule I want, ok with me.

I already started my PRN L&D job at another hospital but if given the chance to work PRN NICU and they were actually willing to give me a good, long orientation, I'd jump on it.

Wasn't planning on juggling two jobs so soon since I still want to primarily be a SAHM, but this could be a rare opportunity.

We'll see if I get called for an interview!

Jolie, BSN · Nov 19, 2014

Please research this unit thoroughly if you are offered an interview and/or job. Any unit willing to hire prn staff with no experience in the specialty is a red flag, and having numerous open positions should make that flag even more red.

I realize that NICU positions don't open often (usually because the units are well-staffed by experienced nurses), so a unit with multiple positions may mean that there are NO experienced staff members left to orient you, or support you in caring for infants with complex needs.

I typically advise new grads or career changers to RUN from any unit that doesn't have at least 50% experienced staff (meaning 2+ years in the specialty) on the unit working any given shift. I understand the desire to gain entry into this specialty, but hope that you will do so only in a properly controlled and supportive environment, for your sake and that of your patients.

Good luck.

adpiRN · Nov 19, 2014

It definitely raised red flags for me when I saw so many openings. But I've been following this hopsital's job postings for months and for a long time there were no openings in NICU. These few just popped up in the last month or two.

I'm hoping it's just a time when a handful of staff happened to retire/move etc at the same time and not a sign of a horrible unit.

If I do interview should I ask how many experienced nurses vs new nurses staff each shift? That's a good idea, thanks.

And I would only do it if they gave me a LONG orientation. Like 12 weeks or whatever they give full time employees new to NICU.

If they can't do that my plan would be to just get the managers card so I can keep in touch and maybe apply for full time down the road if they like me.

YuHiroRN, BSN · Nov 21, 2014

My concern would be how many hours you'd actually be able to get vs. the length of time you're oriented. Your orientation could be phenomenal but if you are only scheduled once a month, your skills would be lost. BUT, it sounds like they're hurting for staff big time, so if you're working 2 - 3 days a week prn, I don't see the harm of no prior NICU experience. They would most likely start you off with nippling feeder/growers anyway.