Hello everyone,
So, I am in need of the awesome support and advice of my fellow allnurses members! For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a NICU nurse. I took the initiative to obtain my NRP prior to graduating thinking this would give me a leg up on other fellow new grads entering the NICU. The only Children's Hospital in my area had very limited "New Grad" NICU positions, which as you can imagine, was very competitive. Unable to secure a job at the Children's Hospital I relocated to another state and received a job on an Adult Med-Surg unit. I have been on the unit for 6 months now and while I love being a RN I have concluded that Adult Med-Surg is not my cup of tea...patient to nurse ratio is ridiculous and I really don't like working with adults. However, all things considered, I look at everything in my life as a learning experience and I am learning a lot, but my heart and passion are with the neonates.
Here's where I need your help. I really want to follow my heart and as I research NICU positions of the two Children's Hospitals in my area, experience is required! How do I pursue a career in NICU even if there is not a posting for an open position...can a RN volunteer at a hospital system they are not employed with...specifically in the NICU? Is it okay to contact the Nurse Manager of the NICU and discuss career opportunities... if so is it better to send an old fashion letter or telephone call? How do I gain experience if I've never worked there...will working in Mom/Baby or the Nursery help? My goal is to obtain my NPP and I'm willing to work my way up.
Thanks for any advice I truly appreciate it,
NICU1209
