RNCaroline

I don't think it took a "spin doctor", but I got a job! :) I simply explained that I had every intention in staying in my first position, but it was an hour away from where I lived, and it was a dangerous drive on a dangerous road (where 5 nursing students were killed last year). I didn't even have to go into the details of being contacted for a job I never applied to FOUR times before I took it. But I did say it was a timing thing and I needed a job close-by. But I think most of all, they saw my passion. I'm glad I didn't see all of your discouraging comments before I went. But I recommend not telling people they will absolutely NOT get a job. Because I got one rather quickly. And with little prep time as I was in the process of moving on the day of my interview :)

I was actually lied to and told I would cross-train in PACU, which I quickly realized was never going to happen. I didn't think I would love the OR, I love people, but PACU would have been very good experience. Every person hired along with me was lied to in some way, and we all hate it. The NICU manager had me shadow, as she does with everyone, to make sure this is what I wanted. But I was offered a job. My advice to anyone is to go for what you want! I only changed from my original job due to distance and safety. Obviously don't start with the intention to quit, but I am miserable in the OR and I am losing nursing skills, so I am so excited to finally be where I want!

Thank you! I actually received a job offer! I am so excited! :)

I don't think currently being on orientation gives you the experience to hand out somewhat rude, and unwarranted advice to get in the NICU. You really did not even offer any advice, you originally just told me to stay in the OR for a few years and then basically complained about the stress and "crap" you deal with at your job. At least I would appreciate a position in the NICU more than you seem to be. By the way, if I did stay in the OR for several years I would likely lose all of my nursing skills, so for future reference that is not actually good advice for someone who wants to get back to floor nursing. If they don't look at my resume favorably then I won't get an interview; if you look at my original post most of my questions are directed as if I were to get an interview. My resume is better than most nurses actually. Thank you for your analysis of the resume you haven't seen, though. I hope you are more encouraging to other nurses you work with than you have been with me. Thanks, have a good day :)

Thanks but I absolutely hate the OR, so thank you for your input but obviously you are looking past my questions and just telling me not to even try for NICU. I really didn't ask for commentary on whether I should stay in my job now, especially because you don't walk in my shoes. I'd rather try and get turned down than not try at all. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. FYI I was going to stay with med-surg for a while, but working over an hour away on night shift became very unsafe, so when I got contacted for a job much closer to my home I took the opportunity. Thanks for your opinion though.

OR orientation is 6 months, and I'm about to get off orientation. I know there are people who love the OR, but it just isn't for me. I miss that patient interaction. I really miss bedside nursing. I honestly did not even apply to the OR, HR just had my resume from times I had applied to other places in the hospital, such as NICU. And unfortunately, there has been a very high turnover in our OR, and I think that is why they were so desperate to get people who applied anywhere at the hospital. Trust me, unless you have worked in it, especially in this hospital, you don't know what we put up with in the OR. Honestly, I wasn't really looking for advice on whether or not I should stay in the OR. My heart is in the NICU.

Hi! My name is Caroline, and my goal has always been to become a NICU nurse. I am hoping to get an interview in the nicu at the hospital I currently work for. One of the first questions many managers like to ask is the usual "tell me about yourself". There has been a lot of debate on whether this should be answered with more personal detail (such as why I became a nurse and why I chose NICU) or more work history and accomplishments. I have been a nurse for about a year now, but I have no experience with pediatrics or NICU. (Med/surge and currently I am in the OR). I would love some input, especially from anyone that has been in a hiring position! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi! My name is Caroline, and it has always been my goal to be a NICU nurse. Long story short, I took a job in the OR at the hospital I have been wanting to work for (and the only hospital in the area with a NICU). I'm not loving the OR, and I am hoping (and praying!) that some of the connections I have made here will allow me the opportunity to interview for the NICU soon. I have only been out of school for about a year now, and the only other experience I have is the 4 months I worked on a med-surge floor. My main concern is what are NICU managers looking for in a nurse with no NICU experience? What do you expect new nurses to know about the NICU in an interview? Do I have an advantage based on the fact that I am already an employee at this hospital? Also, when a potential new hire does a job shadow after the interview, what exactly are you looking for? Is this strategy just to make sure someone is a good fit with other employees? Side note: I interviewed here for a residency position in the NICU in December 2014. I received positive feedback, but I did not get the job. (I also never heard from anyone saying I didn't get the job, so I missed the opportunity to ask for feedback on why I was not selected). My heart is in the NICU, so if I do get this opportunity to interview there again, I just want to make sure I do everything I can show that I am worthy of the job even though I lack experience. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Does anyone have any advice as far as choosing length? I typically wear knee-high, but the women in my family tend to get varicose veins behind the knee and in the thigh area it seems (some on calves as well) so I'm not sure if I would be better off with thigh-high or like panty-hose style..?

thank you! At the least I plan to get certified in ACLS and PALS, but unfortunately there is not currently a pediatric team. I can choose to specialize in something like ENT surgeries that would have more peds cases, but I'm hoping things like that will be enough. Thanks for the advice! :)

I just started as a new OR nurse. I worked on med-surg for 4 months, but that is all the experience I have since I just graduated last December. My ultimate goal is to work in the NICU. I took the position in the OR because it was the only open position for new grads and this is the hospital I really want to be at, plus it has a level 3 NICU. Through this program, I am going to get certified as an OR nurse. My question is this: will I be able to get a job in the NICU after being in OR for a couple of years? I know OR is very different than bedside nursing, so I don't want this to hinder my efforts to get to the NICU. I would love feedback from those with experience.

Thank you! I agree, I don't want to put down the place I'm hoping to get a job! I think I will just tie in that I enjoy patient education and feel that is one great contribution I could make to the unit. Since most managers also seem to start with "tell me about yourself" I considered adding it in there because I have had some special experience in patient education. Thank you for your input!

I am a new grad RN and I have an interview tomorrow. I noticed the hospital I am applying to has lower HCAHP scores on questions in the category of patient education. I am really wanting to be prepared for the "Why should we hire you?" question. Is it inappropriate to speak about the lower score here. I was thinking of noting that I have a passion for patient education and experience in that area so I could really contribute to patient satisfaction on this unit. I know I have a lot of strengths that make me right for the job and I am excited to be a nurse, but I want to really set myself apart and show them they need me. Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thank you so much! I will keep that in mind!

I just graduated in December, and I'm still on a job hunt in Savannah. I had an interview with Memorial. While I think it is a great hospital, they never responded to emails to confirm that I didn't get the job. In fact, my online application still says "under review" even though my interview was December first. From the looks of it, I think you have to go through their new grad program to work there at all, so I would still try that. During my interview they asked me just a few questions then turned it over to me to ask them my questions. I'm not sure what the deal is with St. Joseph's. They told me their new grad application would be posted in November and it never was (I checked everyday that I wasn't in clinical and I never saw it). My advice is to just call and be sure to follow-up. I would have loved to work at St. Joseph's, but I don't know if I missed the posting for the new grad program or if it was just never posted, so I would see when it is supposed to be posted then call if you don't see it when it then. I believe I called them in the middle of November when I didn't see the posting and they never got back to me. I have no connections there, but if you do, then that usually helps. I'm from Atlanta, and I know people that can get me jobs here immediately, but it takes more time if you don't have connections. Wish I had more to offer, but best of luck in your search!