Starting to get discouraged...

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I graduate in August with my BSN, and before I had even started my pre-reqs I knew I wanted to work in the NICU. Looking forward to working in a NICU one day is what got me through 2 years or pre-reqs, a year of waiting, and over 2 years of nursing school flat-broke and raising a family. Unfortunately my school was unable to place me in the NICU for my preceptorship but I spent 2 days of my peds rotation there and have personal experience in the NICU from my own children. I've been applying to NICUs across the country, and I keep getting the same reaction of "Wow, your resume looks great, but unfortunately all of our positions have been filled by May graduates and start in June/July/August. Try again in January." Or some variation of that. I'm at the top of my class, in the honor society, will gladly work my butt off, relocate, and I can't get hired because I don't graduate until August? Please tell me this isn't so!

I'm actively looking for any extern, tech, or aide positions but they are extremely hard to find right now. The L&D unit I precepted on is letting me take the NRP course with them in September if I haven't taken it by then. I'm trying to volunteer in a NICU as a cuddler but the few that allow that have restrictions on volunteers with young children at home. Yeh...I've got three of those, thanks. I'm so terrified I won't be able to find a position that I can't sleep at night. Well, that and because I precepted on nights for the last 6 weeks and did the mom thing during the day so my sleep cycles are completely trashed.

I want/need this so badly, what else can I do? :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Cardiac.

it stinks, but all I can say is be patient.I graduated last May and one year later there were 5 positions at my hosp's NICU. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. One year seems so far away,but really the first year flies by. Look into Nurse residencies, great for new grads,mostly at university hospitals. Not sure where your located, but I think Vanderbilt has a winter residency, that starts in Dec, I think. I'm sure others do too.

Remember even though you graduate in Aug, apply now! Always be a step or two ahead! Good Luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

I've been out of school for so long and at the same place for so long I'm not sure what to advise. Don't know where you are but in the Dallas area few if any NICU's are hiring now. Maybe a county hospital - ours stays busy and is a BIG unit and I think offers an internship. I think internship is the way to go in a large unit. Best of luck and hats off for being willing to relocate.

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Just be patient and focus on graduating and passing the boards. It took me eleven months (graduated August 2009 and licensed Sept 2009) and I just now got two offers for NICU positions. I know how it is to be so passionate about NICU nursing and feeling like you are helpless with the new grad situation, but your turn will come, believe me!

I as well did not have a preceptorship in the NICU and I still got two offers, I think because I showed how passionate I was about it!

Best of luck!

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Thanks for the encouragement! I'm in SE Michigan so uh, not the best area economically right now. There are so many nursing schools flooding the area with new grads right now it's ridiculous. So that's the major reason I'm looking out of state right now. Other states' new grad programs seem not to have fizzled out quite yet. I don't don't know what we're going to do about bills. It's very frustrating when everyone thinks that A) it's my fault school took so long (even though I'm graduating a semester early, and worked very hard to do so) and/or B) that I should already have a job lined up because of the "nursing shortage". I wish! I know I'm not helping myself by aiming for a specialty but I know that's where I'm supposed to be.

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Specializes in Oncology.

i didnt remember to look where you are from, but if you are looking to relocate to East Tennessee (Knoxville), i know there are several NICU and PICU openings at East Tennessee Children's Hospital...the website is www.etch.com then click "Join Our Team"...and look! :)

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Hey, I'm in Ohio, PM me and I'll give you some info where I'm located!

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Specializes in acute care.

I feel your pain. I am trying to get into a NICU, too, but it is not looking good so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

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Now, I keep seeing jobs that say at least a year experience is required. I'm being told by some people to apply anyway, but I don't think I should. I don't want to waste anyone's time and if it's listed under requirements then that's what it is. Is it common for people to submit their resumes anyway?

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