rnblack4

I was starting the interview process. I applied for the position and I had met with the manager and she "fast-tracked" my application to start the interview process ASAP. However, when HR looked at my application it showed that I had received a written corrective action back in March of this year when I was still going through my residency (a time that I wish didn't come back to haunt me -- due to a "lack of communication"). Anyways, new policy at my hospital says that after receiving a written corrective action, an employee cannot transfer units until a year later (previously was 6 months). I met with my HR rep and she said it's really non-negotiable (the not being a resident anymore and now I am permanently on my floor) part. I was hoping being in the residency it may not still be applicable. However, I shadowed in the NICU for 4 hours and loved it. The nurses were so patient and helpful answering 100's of questions for me. When mid-March comes around, I hope that there will be a NICU position available because I will definitely reapply!

jpeters84: Thank you so much for taking the time to send your very informative reply. I just shadowed in the NICU today and loved it. Loved the RNs and the environment. Everyone is so nice and patient answering all of my questions. There orientation program seems to be very good. Hopefully it all ends up working out for the best!!!

So I want to apply for a position that finally opened in the NICU at my hospital. Fortunately for me, it's a night position (I'm a night owl ). I never was able to have a rotation in the NICU while I was in school, I had a rotation in Peds, but that's still vastly different from the NICU I know that much. I graduated in May 2012 from a BSN program. I did the med-surg residency track at my hospital to gain experience. Currently I work on the General Surgical Unit where we get all the surgeries and traumas and patients from ICU that are maybe too sick for our floor, but not sick enough for ICU. We've become a bit of a step down unit. Anyways, I have been a nurse for almost 1.5 years and I feel ready and maybe scared out of my mind, but I want to apply for NICU (the openings are rare). Maybe I should also back up a little bit...NICU is the reason I wanted to be a nurse. It's a bit of a calling and also a bit of paying it forward. I was a NICU baby myself. If it weren't for those nurses (and the surgeon), I would not be alive or healthy today. I want to see that happen and be able to help another family and their baby get home and live a happy life. So...back to the help. What should I prepare to study/review since I know neonates are practically a different species from adults? Should I get a head start on the NRP or is that jumping the gun too much? What's the typical night in the life of a NICU RN? I really, really want this and so I want to do it right! Thanks for reading this and for your time and input! Also, sorry if it seems a bit jumbled.

I think the variety and excitement of it. It's a different pace. I feel like the floor gets to be monotonous. I want to explore other options. We have a float pool nurse that comes up to GSU a lot and she loves ER over the floors because it's that different pace. We are the #1 Trauma Center for our area, so we see a vast range of patients. My uncle is a paramedic in Colorado and all of the stories that he tells me sound so exciting. I can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. :) I'm just afraid that I don't have enough experience for them to offer me the job. I have been a nurse for only 1 year and 3 months. Plus, I don't know if I'm as marketable as I don't have ACLS or PALS yet. We can work on that after accepting the position, but I know it would look better. It's not as though I'm transferring from a tele unit or ICU. At least I would be coming from GSU....we see so much there. We are the only floor the trauma docs want there patients on, so we do see our share of trauma patients. I haven't asked if they would do an observation day. I could definitely find out. I wanted other nurses' perspectives though. I know every place in the hospital has there pros and cons, I just was wondering what other people thoughts were about there own ER.

Hello All! I have been a nurse for a little over a year now. I started at my hospital doing this nurse residency program on the medical-surgical track where we spent 10 weeks on each unit. I was on ortho, med/neph, neuro, onc, and GSU. At the end of it all, I chose GSU. I do like GSU, the people I work with are great! Patients and co-workers. I just find that I am still not happy. Part of that is understaffing and part is due to management wanting me to be charge, even though I said I'm not comfortable with that. Sadly, at almost 1.5 years experience, I am one of the most senior members on the unit at night. Anyways, I am curious about switching it up all together and I am interested in ER. I was wondering what people find are pros and cons to working in ER? Are you happy there? I know ER nursing is VASTLY different from floor nursing. I guess I'm still trying to find my niche in nursing. One where I'll be happier to be at work. Thanks in advance for everyones advice/help!

It's still pretty stressful when school is done. Lots more learning and big adjustments. I'm still going through that. I graduated May 2012. For the most part, you don't have to worry about homework or tests. When you're done with your 12 hour shift, you're done. I still find my mind racing right after my shift and I'm trying to sleep, but you know you're done until you work again. :)

I usually get the same amount of sleep. Don't know if its best, but it's what I can get. I wonder that too! I'm always soo bloated at the end and I've been doing night shift 5-6 months now.

This is definitely nice to hear! Thanks!

I had a patient that was in early dementia and had the cutest British accent. He was to be discharged to a nursing home, and he really did not want to do that. He told the doctor he wanted to go back to London. The doctor put an order in for a 1 way ticket to London! :lol:

I really think it is. It's really expensive, but its great having it so easily accessible! I love it!