lilbug

We've been slow too for a couple months. Typically we have 50-60 babies, but we've been consistently in the 30s for a while now. We are getting called off about every other week. It's just awful! And to think my hospital has the most births in Ohio every year....I wonder if we will lose that status this year.

Yes, I think is totally appropriate to get your primary a gift. I got my first primaries (twins) gifts because I had bonded well with the family and the girls were in the NICU for almost 6 months. The mom was very close with the nurses, especially myself and the day shift primary nurse. We were pretty much her only family for 6 months. We still keep in touch and I just saw the girls this week actually, 14 months old aka 10 months adjusted age!!!

I work at Good Samaritan Hospital. When I was hired, they were hiring new grads but that was with the old manager. Now we have a new manager and I have heard rumors that they aren't hiring new grads, but I am not sure if that's the case. I know we are hiring now. I would just look online to see what the job description says. I think the website is trihealth.com.

Hi guys! I am responding!! Sorry I never updated. I took the 2nd job in Cincinnati at a big NICU and it was the BEST decision i have ever made! It will be 2 years this fall and i learn more and more each day. I am so glad I chose this hospital...I dont think i would be where i am today if i chose a different job. Good luck to all you future NICU nurses!!

fifi rockefeller, I have been working at Good Sam since October and I love it! I think its a great hospital and love the people. I work in the NICU so I'm not sure what other units are like (except L&D when we go there for deliveries at times). I love the people I work with, everyone is so helpful. I just love the atmosphere and of course, my patients :) I'm not from Cincinnati so I dont know much about University. Good Sam does have bonuses. They have sign on bonuses, 1 year or 18 months. They also have a bonus if you work night shift for 2 years...and its a huge bonus you get in increments over the 2 years and it is renewable. I work nights so it was worth it for me to stay for at least 2 years to get the bonuses. Good luck!

Thanks for all of your kind words. I guess in my unit they like to push us in the beginning and make us be admit numbers and take ventilators for a few months. Apparently this will give us experience and help us with skills and help build up confidence after awhile. I see their point, especially because in the beginning, us new nurses get a lot of help from the older ones. But I have heard criticism from some other nurses saying that is a little rough for us newbies. Nothing like teaching us how to swim by throwing us in the deep end!!! All i can say (especially coming from a former swim instructor, lol) is that's not how you give someone confidence. Sink or swim?!?! I'm definetly sinking to the bottom here. Ive just learned that I have to take it one day at a time and focus on what I did well and go from there. It's the only way I am going to survive! ...welcome to the world of NICU nursing...

I am a new NICU nurse. I just finished my 2nd week out of orientation (which was 12 weeks) and I am feeling like I can't do this job. In simplest terms, I feel like a retard at work, honestly. I feel like I had a good orientation but I feel like I don't know what I'm doing now that I'm on my own. I guess you can say i'm a bit overwhelmed! Day 2 out of orientation, I got an admit at the beginning of my shift...a 25-week twin. I had only had 1 real admit in orientation so I felt completely lost during this 25 week admit. I had some help in the beginning but was pretty much left on my own. I was so slow on getting everything done that night. The next night I came in, they gave me that kid again. Apparently he had been pretty stable during the day but during my first assessment, he was really bad. By midnight he crashed. His twin had started pulm hemorrhaging a little before midnight and when I suctioned my kiddo a little after that, he was pulm hemorrhaging too! My kid was too sick and couldnt live on the vent or oscillator so we pretty much bagged him until parents came to hold him while he passed. Of course, luck had it and his brother passed as well within the next hour. It was awful! I was so stressed I didnt think I could go back to work. I had never been a part of a code so i had no idea what to do. I didnt know exactly what to write down during the code. I had to give him blood, plasma, and epi (never done any of that before) and felt like I didn't get as much help as I needed. I had no idea how to document anything after he passed and had to ask a couple people in order to finally document what I nedded...and it was like pulling teeth to get the help. How was I supposed to know what to do?!?! Usually, most people in my unit are very helpfully but it was a crazy night considering both twins were coding at the same time. I was not prepared to handle this situation at all. This past week, they gave me an easier assignment one day and then this weekend, they gave me a double vent assgn both days. Again, never got a double vent assignment when I was in orientation so I was overwhelmed with time managment. I made a stupid med error..gave a med late, but that was the worse thing that happened sat night. The next night I had that same assgn again and one of my baby's was pretty bad. He had such a bad episode that I had to give compressions which again, never did that before! I felt like an absolute moron and didnt know exactly what to do...its definetly different doing it on a real baby versus a plastic doll! I know I did everything I was supposed to do that night (and on time) and felt better about handling all of the baby's episodes. I was getting more comfortable bagging and stimulating him during his episodes but it still scares me! Is it normal for me to feel like an idiot??? I feel incompetent at times and that maybe Im not ready to be doing this. I love the NICU, I wouldnt want to work anywhere else. I know I need these hard assignments so I can keep learning and building up my confidence but I am so nervous going into work every day. Help!!!

cjulian214, sorry I forgot to update! Yes, I was offered 2 positions in the NICU at 2 hospitals (from the 3 hospitals I interviewed at)....and I eventually accepted one! I will be starting in October! I am so excited! Thanks for asking!!!

jaylynn67 and others wondering about UH, UH does rotating shifts too! 2 weeks days then 2 weeks nights. Same as the Clinic. I interviewed at both hospitals for the NICU and was offered a position at UH (Rainbow Babies). HOWEVER, for the NICU at UH, the nurse manager wanted me to do 2 eights and 2 twelves for the 1st year to get more experience. So that's 2 weeks days doing 2 eights and 2 twelves then 2 weeks nights doing 2 eights and 2 twelves. After the first year I can switch to 3 twelves (still rotating d/n though) but because UH is salary, you have to work 1 extra 12 each month to equal out working 36 hours/week (add 4 hours each week = 1 extra 12 hour shift/month). Salary means you have to work 40 hours/week so I believe overtime is hard to get. They were trying to explain to me that if they need you to cover an extra shift, they will try to take those hours off another day you work to make it equal. Needless to say, I don't think I could do that kind of shift and still be alive so I took another job. Also, I do believe you have to pay for parking at both places...UH and Clinic. I have some classmates who will be working at the Clinic and they have to pay to park and get shuttled in to the hospital (this is main campus). At UH, I was never told what the fee was but was told by some nurses that although you pay, the lot is pretty close and is a very short walking distance. Pay is comparable at both places. UH offered me a great starting salary which was more per hour (but salary) than the Clinic. The Clinic starts at 23.50/hr (for BSN only I think). Clinic also offers student loan repayment and will pay up to $10,000 for 2 year commitment with proof of loans that are up to $10,000. They divide that amount into 24 months and give you some of it in each paycheck. And I heard from a classmate that if you quit before 2 years is up, you don't have to pay back anything you have received so far. Also, the white uniform rumor is true. All nurses have to wear white and only white! As for sign on bonuses, I was never offered one at UH and have not heard of anyone getting any...maybe it depends on the unit! Though they should because their HR sucks. They are really slow. It took me from the time I applied to interviewing to the job offer, 3 months. And I was lucky to get an interview (at least in NICU) because a nurse I knew told the manager who I was so I got the interview. I know a couple classmates of mine who applied and never heard anything...no interview or nothing! Another thing that bothered me about UH was that they never told me what my benefits were...I guess I could've asked but it would have been nice to be told then when one gets an offer. The Clinic's HR is awesome. They called me right away, gave me tons of info up front, scheduled interview fast, etc. I just had a better experience with them (HR). I'm not trying to be biased or anything here! I'm gonna be a new grad and have looked into these hospitals, interviewed and even offered a job at one so I only know what I've been told. I think both hospitals are awesome and have great reputations for being among the best in the country! However, you have to consider everything, pros and cons. When it came down to it for me, I couldn't chose the money over my health and sanity or working those horrible shifts. Hope this helps!!!

I took the job at Good Sam in Cincy so I will be moving from the Akron ohio area around Sept or Oct....so excited! Thanks for all the suggestions, other hospitals, places to live, etc... Actually I did apply for NICU at Children's and they called me right away. Said they had just hired all their new grads but wanted to recruit me for med surg (no thanks!)....and that in a year they will be opening a new hospital and I could work NICU there I believe. I didn't look into it anymore because I waned to start in NICU as a new grad. That's when I got a call from Good Sam, interviewed the next week, and was offered the job the next day which was awesome since it is ridicuously hard to start in NICU. I may consider Children's or their new hospital someday if I end up not liking Good Sam. I have heard some good things about Good Sam so I hope it's a good hospital...and I heard the NICU is pretty good there too. I have the option of rotating between Good Sam and Bethesda someday between their NICUs/Special Care Nurseries. I'll have to check out Bethesda since you say it is in a nice area. Another hospital I may want to check out eventually is University Hospital. They have openings now for their NICU...wish they would've had some earlier so I could've checked it out!!! Oh well! I am probably going to look around northern KY for places to live since my fiance is applying for (and hopefully gets) jobs around there. Maybe Covington, Florence, not sure really.

I've been so busy lately i forgot to post my official decision!! I decided to take job #2 because of many reasons but mainly because I feel I will learn more and be supported greatly as a new nurse. That was very important to me in my decision. I had to call and turn down the first job but they said they understood when I said I had to do what was best for me...and that's the truth!! So, I will be moving to Cincinnati in September or October, depending on boards and when my fiance gets a job in the area as well. I live about 4 hours north so i'm looking forward to a little bit better weather! I know I will be kind of far away from home but I am up for the move! I am so excited to start in the NICU!! I hope my decision was the right one...I feel it is right now! Thanks everyone!!!! :)

So I haven't officially made my decision yet but, after much deliberation, I think I am going to stay with hospital #1 which is the children's hospital. I know that whatever I choose, I will probably always think "what if" but there is nothing to do. I just feel this is probably the best choice for not only me but my fiance who will be there by my side as well. No matter which hospital I am to choose, I know I will be in a great NICU and learn a lot. I just hope I don't change my mind by tuesday which is when I have to call back! Thanks to everyone for your help, support and advice!!! It was greatly appreciated during this difficult time of choosing my job! YEA!!!! I'm finally gonna be a NICU nurse (I just have to finish out theses last 10 weeks first)!!! :)

One other thing I want to add....How important is HR in a hospital???? While I have interviewed at a few diff hospitals, hospital #1 has a horrible HR! The staff at that hospital as well as other hospitals have mentioned how horrible the HR is at this hospital. The reason it took so long to apply, interview, shadow, get offer is because of HR. They just run the hospital poorly and very slowly. I am supposed to get a letter with my official offer in it but I'm sure it will be weeks and weeks before I get it. The other places I interviewed at, including hospital #2, has an awesome HR. They are on the ball and seem to know a lot about the hospitals they work for. Thanks again!

Jolie, thank you so much for your advice. I agree with you completely! I want to chose a job that I will be happy with and want to stay at for a long time...that is my plan. Hospital #1, the children's hospital, interviewed me in 2 steps. First interview with tour of unit then a came back another day to shadow. They require shadowing in the interview process...which was nice because it was the first level 3 NICU I ever shadowed. Hospital #2 does not require shadowing, however, I was given a tour. While it would have been nice to shadow, I did get somewhat of a feel for the atmosphere and staff. Also, I have shadowed as part of job interviews or clinicals quite a few NICUs/Special Care Nurseries so I didn't feel it hindered me too much. Hospital #1 wins this one. In regards to staffing, Hospital #1 seems like it is always hiring. I addressed this during the interview and the mgr said most of the people they lose is due to returning to school, moving, having families, or going to part time or PRN to have families. I do not graduate for another 10 weeks so my position won't start until sometime in Oct. I know they will have a large influx of new grads this summer as they always do and there will probably be me and a couple others starting in the fall most likely. From my observation, there was a decent amount of younger nurses/newer grads (1yr exp). Hospital #2 is only hiring due to high census and current expansion of the unit by adding 8 more beds. I believe they have a few starting this summer and when I interviewed, the mgr had 2 spots left. She knows I don't graduate until the end of Aug and wants to hire the right person rather than hire asap for census purposes. Again, I prob won't start till middle-end of Oct. She said I can take my time moving here after boards instead of rushing here and starting the next day! Also, from what I was told, the unit used to make up nurses who had been there for 20-30 years. And actually when I was touring the unit, one nurse said she had been there for 20 years. However, she wanted to bring in younger staff for variety. She has been hiring new grads here and there but said that about 50% of the people she personally has hired have been from accelerated programs so most are older, have had other careers, etc. I think hospital #2 wins this one. I have also met and talked to some nurses on allnurses who work at both places and they both seem to enjoy their jobs. So again, don't know which to chose! I would love to go back to #2 to shadow but my schedule simply doesn't allow it right now because of school and travel time. So I would be choosing this unit based off of interviewing and touring versus #1 in which I spent time interviewing and shadowing. I keep going back and forth between them. I need to decide if I should stick with #1 which is a safer choice because it is close to home, large variety of patients including surgical pts, and a great hospital with lots of new grads or #2 which I didn't get to shadow, is far form home, but feel I would be treated better as a new nurse with extensive training and support from the mgr. This is so frustrating!!!!!

shiamay, congrats on starting your new job! I looked into University hospitals but did not find any openings in the area I want to work in (NICU). Do you know anything about Good Samaritan (owned by Trihealth)? What areas in Cincy do you recommend living? SShannon81, you make a good point about cost of living. I have looked online at apartments in both Cleve and Cincy and they do seem comparable actually. I am doing more research now though to find more cost info on apartments, houses, utilities, food, etc....I need to take all of that into consideration! Cleveland is more run down I think than Cincinnati....some of the Cleve neighborhoods aren't that nice and/or safe, but there are some nicer areas which are pricey! I have only been to Cincinnati twice and from driving around a little, it seems like most of the areas/suburbs are pretty nice and seems much safer. I should take that into consideration. Money isn't the most important thing to me right now, though I am taking it into consideration. I am more interested in the hospitals and particularly the unit I would be working on. Thanks for your help.

Harley_fan, I'm interested in finding out the same info as well about Cincinnati. I have a job offer at Good Samaritan but the base pay for new grads is like $20.35...which I think is kinda low. They do have a $3 shift diff which is nice and other bonuses for working nights and weekends. I am wondering if this pay is comparable to others in the area. HR says they are competitive rates for the Cincy area. I have another offer around the Cleveland, Ohio area and it is much higher than that...around $24/hr (though this is slightly higher than other hospitals in that area)! However, if you get the bonuses and such for working nights and shift diff, it actually comes out more than cleveland. What is the cost of living like? It seems very similar to Cleveland what I have found online. I was hoping it would be cheaper since starting pay is so much lower.

Hi. I am from the akron area. I did my psych clinical rotation at St. Thomas but that's really the only area I was in....the general psych floor and geri-psych. I had a great experience there, but again, I only know about psych. Summa now owns St. Thomas, Akron City and Cuyahoga Falls General. St. Thomas used to do more than psych and ortho but I think after Summa bought them, they turned to those 2 areas. It used to be more. I was actually born there in the early '80s! My grandfather was on the board there as well and did some of his residencies there a long long time ago....he was an internal medicine M.D. Thats all I really know about it. Sorry if it doesn't help you much!

llg, you make a REALLY good point. This is a decision my fiance and I need to make together...and you are right that it will be lonely since we won't know anyone and family and friends will be 4 hours away. The thing is, I feel as if he is pushing towards moving away. I am thinking reasonably and think it would be best if we stay close to home. He is in school, getting an associates right now and has a good job. But to him, he thinks he can go to school anywhere and work anywhere. He just doesnt like his job right now among other things and wants to move away to "start fresh." He says staying here is being reasonable while moving would be good for his sanity. I don't think he should be transferring schools right now, he's 1/2 way done! Plus it would be from a semester school to a quarters school...don't know how that would work credit transfer wise. And moving away because he is having issues with work and family won't solve anything!!! Overall, he will go wherever I go. I just dont want to move for the wrong reasons. I definetly feel staying here would be great and probably the best for him, me and us together. I love the hospital here and feel I would learn a lot because there is a variety of patients, including surgical which the other hospital doesn't have. However, I do like what I said previously about hospital #2...It is nice to know that someone is really interested in hiring me because they believe in my potential...and that means a lot. I think I should play it safe and stay close to home..... I will let you all know what I decide!! THANKS AGAIN!!!! :)

Thanks "llg" for the feedback!!!! Actually, I got the opposite impression from hospital #2 about the hiring so quickly. NICUs are difficult to get into as a new grad in general, and this one was overflowing with babies it was currently adding more beds to meet the needs, hence hiring more nurses! The mgr was actually interviewing another girl before me and had an entire stack of applications to go through when she was searching for my app. During the interview, she expressed she was very interested in hiring me because she really liked my passion for NICU, willingness to learn, and strong educational background (having another degree on top of nursing). And I'm sure she knew I was interviewing at other places and wanted to offer me a position first if possible. I do agree that if she were to leave, I might not like it as much...who knows. I can't base a job just from the impression I got from the nurse mgr. But I do think having someone who believes in you and is supportive is a great asset. I guess what I am saying is that while hospital #1 seems like the more logical and safe choice, I feel I would be more welcome and supported rather than "just another new grad" at the other one.

Thanks for the advice! Yes this is a very hard decision as you can tell. When it comes down to it, I am really wondering how the 2 weeks days/2 weeks nights will effect me...my health, my sanity, being sleep deprived! I do know that I would not be able to change that shift at this 1st hospital. That is the only shift they really have....i guess to make it fair to everyone so no one get stuck days or nights. That is what makes hospital #2 so more attractive. Not that I want to work nights....I'm quite afraid to actually because I do have a hard time staying up with all-nighters in the past during school, but I guess it will be different considering I will get used to it. And actually, I will be working nights at both hospitals, it just depends on if I want a rotating shift or just nights...and that I would work 4 days/nights at hospital #1 versus 3 nights at hospital #2. However, after I work for a year at hospital #1, I can change to 3 12-hrs which would make the day/night rotation a little easier. Also, although the pay will be better in the long run at hospital #2 , it won't be at first. During my orientation I will work days and nights to get a more well-rounded experience meaning no shift diff on days or extra bonus for working nights...so I will be making $1-$4 less each shift for the 1st 12 weeks. So if i do chose hospital #2, is it wrong to call hospital #1 and tell them I've changed my mind or is that completely rude???? I got the offer a few days ago and haven't received a letter yet that HR will be sending me with the details about the job...and I haven't signed anything yet. I really don't know what to do. I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend! But in all, it is exciting getting these job offers and knowing that whatever I decide, I will be a NICU nurse!!!! :D:D

My dream came true this week!!! I have always wanted to be a NICU nurse and now I will be!!! I was offered a job in the NICU at my #1 choice of hospitals!!! I am very excited! The interview process was very very very long (3 months from applying to getting an offer!!) and I was so anxious to get an offer, when the nurse recruiter called, I said I wanted to work there. She said she would be sending me a letter soon with all the info in it about hours, salary, etc. I'm assuming this is something I will sign and return to make the offer official???? However, the next day I had an interview at another hospital clear across the state and decided it was rude to cancel the day before so I went anyways. So of course today, the day after that interview, I got another offer in that NICU!!!! I informed the recruiter that I have another offer from my home area and would like a few days to think it over. After all, it is a big move in that I will have to relocate 4 hours away with my fiance in tow as well! She understood so now I have until Tues to call her back. Now I am torn! Do I stay with the first offer or go for the 2nd? There are so many pros and cons, I don't know what to do! The first hospital I will be doing my senior practicum in the NICU step-down unit so I will be able to learn about the hospital, charting, etc. The pay is GREAT for a new grad though it is salary, I have to work 40 hours/week, not 36, and it is a 2 weeks days and 2 weeks nights rotation (2 8-hr shifts and 2 12-hr shifts). The hospital is also great, one of the best children's hospitals in the country....as well as their NICU. They are getting a new high-tech NICU next summer/fall. Also it is only about an hour away from home now. I would still move but will be close to friends/family. The 2nd hospital is not a children's hospital but is noted for its L&D and NICU. I loved the NICU but the overall hospital I didn't like as much...much diff from the hospitals at home. The NICU is unique, larger than the first hospital and continuing to add more beds but does not keep any surgical babies such as GI surgeries, heart, etc. They say they have a top rated NICU but haven't found any stats yet. The starting pay (hourly) is lower, but they do offer shift diff which makes it similar to the first. The offer is a nights only shift, 36 hours/week. Also, after my 12 week preceptorship/orientation, I can agree to work nights for 2 years and get paid a bonus throughout the 2 years. So after my 12 wk orientation, I can make $2 more/hr than hospital #1. I would also have to relocate 4 hours from home...though I have no problem moving!!! Which do I chose? Is it wrong to turn down the 1st hospital...I did just get the offer 3 days ago. I think that the 1st hospital would help my career if I decide to move out of state someday because it is rated among the top children's hospitals in the country so that may look good to future employers. However, I would love to move to the 2nd hospital because of better weather and a new fresh start. I also liked that although the 2nd hospital was interviewing tons of people, the nurse mgr wanted me and called me the next day...they are also letting me have 1st pick between 2 job options (though both nights). She was very helpful during the interview such as giving me insight as to what areas are best to live in and I could tell she saw my drive for NICU and potential. I also like that she is very involved in orientation, adds many components to it, re-orients people again like 6 months after hire and provides a mentor after the 12 week preceptor, however I worry if I will be able to do all nights. Or would the rotating days/nights at hospital #1 be too much? I love hospital #1 as well though!!! I am so confused! I think I should stay with offer #1 and stay close to home but part of me says to move and venture out to a new city! Sorry this is so long. Any advice would be great!!!!

HI! Does anyone have any info about Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati? I have an interview next week for an RN position in the NICU. I am from NE Ohio and am not familiar with the Cincinnati area. Any info on how the hospital is, pay for nurses, how nurses are treated, NICU, etc. would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks for the comments!! This step-down unit usually takes babies once they are off vents/CPAPs and they usually don't have IVs anymore. They are typically just the feeders and growers. There is a level III NICU upstairs and they transfer the babies to Step-down once they are stable, off the vents and don't need too much medical intervention. They do need to continue to grow, get stronger, and be weened off O2 before they go home. You are right, I will learn more normals which will help me pick up on the abnormals. I just wont learn the more intense medical interventions I am assuming.

I just found out I will be precepting this summer in the NICU step-down unit (I think it is like a level II). I am excited despite that I wasn't able to get into a NICU as there are too many new grads this summer and no room for students (argh!). I am hoping to get hired into a NICU. Do you think precepting in the step-down unit for my 120-hour senior practicum will give me enough experience so I will feel somewhat prepared for a job in NICU after graduation? I'm worried I wont learn the skills I need for NICU as these babies aren't very critical anymore and are more feeder and growers. I want to learn skills I will be able to use in NICU. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!!

So this interviewing/hiring process is taking forever and it is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!! I've interviewed at 2 hospitals and no word yet. The 1st one I interviewed at which is where I want to work is taking a long time. I interviewed in April and did my shadowing in May (about 3 weeks ago). I called the nurse mgr at the beginning of the week and she told me HR is taking over now, telling me they are still probably checking references and that I probably would hear something by the end of this week maybe. She told me to call the HR woman to see what was going on, so I left a voicemail and emailed but no response yet!!! I am thinking positively and hoping I will get an offer since I've interviewed, shadowed and now they are checking references....they've spent a lot of time with me but I don't know! The 2nd hospital I interviewed at said I wont hear anything till mid-june but it doesn't look promising because she is looking to hire for start dates this summer. I dont graduate until end of August so I might not have a chance. It's a really small unit and I'm not that crazy about it. No biggie cuz I want a job at the 1st hospital anyways. Now, I have another interview next week at a hospital 3-4 hours away in southern Ohio. It's a good hospital from what I've read with a large NICU but it is far away from home. I wouldn't mind moving there. It would be nice to move to a new city. But I think I would really prefer to stay closer to home for now. But i'm at the point now that I will take whatever job offer I get! I want to work in the NICU no matter what!! Sorry for venting! I just had to get out my frustrations!!