NICURNSF

Is anyone doing to the Neonatal NP Program? It's such a small program that we got our acceptances in November just wondering if there's any other NNP students out there...

That's awesome! Are you Full-time and start this Summer 2021?

Yes, I am replying to bring further attention to this post in the hopes that someone will answer it! I am starting this Summer and I am in the same boat. It seems like more people take 637. There are three sections of 637 being offered this Spring. One has a professor that is very poorly rated? I'm to take this course over an abbreviated Summer session and I am a bit nervous about how intense it is going to be, what the course is like, and who I should take it from. One of the sections of 637 is full so I am paying attention to the professors teaching that section. But hopefully we can get someone to answer your question!

I believe work experience is one of the biggest determining factors. Have you worked in a level IV NICU, had delivery room experience, taken on any leadership roles if you only have a few years experience? Then after experience, I think grades matter. If you have tons of experience I think they matter less but if you are applying with only a few years of experience then I believe grades matter a lot. Research, committees, certifications are all icing on the cake I believe. UPenn offers many webex admission events for the NNP and Pediatric MSN Programs and they touch on this a bit. I believe my experience, GPA, and essays (they spoke a lot about the importance of your admission essays) were what got me in. But if I had to point to something I would say mostly my experience (10 years all NICU, 6 years Level IV, 4 years Level III) was what got me in. Best of luck to you! You do not need to wait 10 years like I did to apply but I would recommend at least 4-6 NICU years and some delivery room and some Level IV experience if you can.

Congratulations! So exciting! I'm awaiting news about the financial aid situation as well...

I appreciate your honesty but its just not possible for me to wait another year. It looks like you are possibly in the midwifery program? When I interviewed they said everyone in the NNP program (my program) was likely to graduate on-time this year. I've been accepted for Fall 2021 which would start July/August and I'm just hoping things are a bit different by then. The Program Director was very honest about the challenges with clinical sites and I'm OK with having to deal with that challenge. I'm 40, a mom, and I've been a nurse for ten years so I just don't feel like I can wait another year or that it would be easier as my child gets older to make a cross-country move. But I do really appreciate the honesty and considering I'm not much a fan of online classes I know this aspect of it will be a challenge for me. I feel like, no matter what, with nursing school there is always something. For undergrad, midway through the program my school changed the sequence of curriculum extending it a semester for everyone. Now for grad school its the pandemic. Nursing school is to be endured I guess with all of its lovely bumps in the road and unforseen challenges.

I wanted to start a thread for all those applying to UPenn for their Master's for Fall 2021. Best of luck to everyone!

This book is the best! https://www.nicusolutions.com/scripts/site/certification-review.php

I was hired into a NICU New Graduate Program without a ton of NICU experience in nursing school. I applied to any hospital in the country that had a NICU New Graduate training Program and I was willing to move anywhere I got a job. You can also take steps like taking STABLE or getting NRP certified that shows you are serious about the NICU. Practice and be well prepared for your interviews. Really focus on the large academic medical centers with the Level III-IV NICUs that have well established NICU New graduate Programs. Once you have 2-3 years experience you can get a job anywhere. Best of Luck!

I researched the heck out of which hospitals really had a need for NICU nurses and applied there being willing to move anywhere I got a NICU job. I applied as a new graduate nurse to many many programs. It's really finding the hospitals that have a strong need and going there. If you're an experienced nurse transitioning over specialties try to find hospitals that have training programs for experienced nurses to new specialties. Even just landing a job in a children's hospital with a NICU but get a job there on any floor and then 1 year start looking for NICU openings and transition in. Best of luck!

Hi-I think what your cover letter needs to accomplish is you giving a clear and concise reason for why you want NICU so much. Explain how your experience in med/surg has prepared you for the critical thinking and time management required in the NICU. Show them that you understand what being a NICU nurse entails. Also what have you done to show that you ready and eager to be a NICU Nurse? Did you get NRP or STABLE? If not do it now! Maybe attend an online NICU Nursing Convention. AWHONN is coming up or maybe ANN. NANN just occurred, perhaps you can watch videos from it and then talk about how you attended NANN's vitural convention and it just re-enforced how much NICU is the specialty for you. Just having med/surg experience and stating you want to work in the NICU is not enough. You have to show them you really want this by doing some things like getting your NRP to show them you are serious! I can help you with some details about NICU nursing if you like that shows them you know what the job entails. Just let me know. Best of luck!

I think you will be absolutely fine. Most NICU Managers will respect your ICU experience and be fine with hiring a nurse with Adult ICU experience into the NICU. Just be sure to let them know you wanted NICU from day one but pivoted to adult ICU because of the circumstances. Best of luck!

Have a few examples of patients in mind. I've gotten asked about a sepsis patient, what would I expect to be ordered, what meds to give, how much. Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a patient or their family. Describe a difficult social situation and how you handled it. Describe a time you had a difficult co-worker and how you handled it. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses, etc. Tell us about a med error you made. These are all the questions I can think of at the moment...

I'm kind of surprised you haven't had luck because med/surg with NRP is pretty much showing that you have initiative for the NICU and nursing experience. Maybe get STABLE if you can and virtually attend one of the conferences, NANN, ANN? Maybe even cold email the NICU managers and say the NICU is really my dream assignment is there anything else I can do to make myself a more desirable candidate? Also aska round your floor if there's anyone who is friends with a NICU Nurse on one of the units. Sometimes just having someone that will vouch for you is enough to get an interview. Best of luck!

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