RNinPA328

I know this is seven months after you posted and I do hope you were able to land a job on the NICU as a new grad, but I'm here to tell you that if you didn't, that doesn't exclude you from every working in NICU. I started my career in cardiac step-down. I was so upset because I interviewed for L&D and NICU and did not get either position. I knew the exact moments I failed each interview. When I was coming up on one year, I started applying to all pink badge units in my area again. I figured even if I move to maternity, I can eventually get to NICU. Nothing - no e-mails, no interviews, nothing. Then I figured I'd shoot my shot and try the most prestigious pediatric hospital in the area. They called me 2 days after I applied. Two days after my in person interview, I was offered a job. I started exactly one year after I started my first nursing job. I learned a lot from my first job, but most importantly I learned that starting in a different specialty does not mean you will never get to your desired unit. Sometimes you just need a year of experience and that's fine. Good luck!

I'm a CHOP nurse. I didn't do my residency in pediatrics, but I don't mind talking to you about the hospital if you're interested in working there.

They only interview for one unit at a time. I applied for L&D and NICU. I interviewed for one of those two and am waiting on a decision in a week or two.

I DMed you

Yes. I got a second interview

I'm applying for Main Line's nurse residency program for maternity or NICU. I put in my application 3 days before the deadline for specialty units. I received an invitation to do a video interview about a week later. I completed the video the following day. Anyone here know how long it takes to hear back if they choose you for an in person interview? And if they do, how long does it take to actually begin? I ask because I'm currently working as a nurse resident in another hospital system, but if I have a chance at the specialty I want, I'd gladly leave where I am now for it.

I know this is a year old, but for those of you who went into this residency, when did applications first open? How often do they open? I see they're open right now but it says they're accepting applicants who graduate before April 30. I graduate in May. How often do they open new rounds for applications?

Aug 2011 finishes in Dec 2013. You have no control over who any of your professors are or which hospital you go to. You have to be flexible.

Don't take it while you're in the program. Wait until the date that people are dropped for non-payment and then go on that morning. Something will open up.

You can get the modules from the bookstore and if you are at north campus, you can google your teacher's name and her website will have the reading schedule.

The lecture is at 9am and clinicals vary depending on your instructor. Usually they're 630am-2:30pm on Tues/Wed, but it varies. The only three you'll 100% need are Perry and Potter (text and lab guide) and Cox. You'll need the electrolytes and drug books for NP2, but don't bother getting them until you get to that point just in case you decide nursing isn't for you (and trust me, a LOT of people realize that after the first class). Besides that... I'd say get the study materials based on whether or not you feel you need more help. Some people used the extra books, some didn't. Do NOT buy the pharm book and I don't think you really need the math book, either. I didn't buy it and I never failed.

The person who told me I didn't need to go in was at Downtown Fort Lauderdale. It's the same BS everywhere. I didn't want to go in because I'm in school 4 days a week and work the other one.

Get used to Broward's messing up your financial aid. I had a person tell me and reassure me 5x that I didn't have to see an advisor and her supervisor told me I did and she wouldn't discipline her because "she's a good employee and I should have expected to see someone." Broward has bad financial aid people. Avoid them if you can.

Personally, I don't like the e-books. They're just glorified text files and if you shrink your browser, the alignment gets all messed up. I prefer the real books with pictures, boxes, etc. I use the e-books occasionally if I forgot my text, but I most certainly don't rely on them. If you decide to use a lab coat, you have to use the nursing one, since it identifies you as a nursing student at the hospital. The hospital I was at was freezing in the hallways, but warm in patients' rooms, so I was very glad I bought the coat. The other option is buying a long sleeved plain white shirt and wearing it underneath your scrubs.

I go to North. It's hard, but do-able. Listen to their warnings about your first test score. A lot of people didn't and we had more than half our class fail as a result (but we also started in summer so our days were longer and our semester shorter). Keep up with the reading, study at least ten hours a week on top of that and you'll get through it. Just go in knowing it's much harder than your pre-reqs (even micro) and treat it that way.