Tips on getting into NICU after graduation...

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Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could please give me any tips or advice on how i could get into NICU once I have my R.N (I'm only in my first semester! lol).

I would love to work in this specialty, but don't really have any idea of how i can get myself out there.

Thankie! :clown:

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I would like some tips too :)

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Depending on which hospital you apply to, a BSN can be a requirement. Try to work for the hospital system you would like to work at when you graduate. I worked as a unit secretary in a NICU and that helped a lot. Also, if you're able to get a summer externship, tech during the school year, or your senior preceptorship in NICU it will make you stand out when it comes time for applying for jobs. Good luck:)...relevant experience in the specialty you want is key in my opinion.

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Specializes in NICU.

I completely agree with pmkn10. NICU is a popular area to work in, and the only way to stand out is if you get an internship/externship in the NICU. Any extra time in the NICU is going to help you. This has personally helped me land a job in the NICU after graduating in December '09.

Get this! I applied in Austin, Tx for a NICU position. I got called in for an interview, and the recruiter told me that they have not hired anyone for the NICU in 2 years and they have only ONE SPOT open for graduate nurses!

Two things about this: 1. Nurses like the NICU, they don't want to leave that unit, thus there are not many job openings...and 2. I'm sure tons of people applied for that one spot in the NICU, how did they narrow it down? I don't know, but I had that extra time in the NICU giving me an edge, and made me stand out from the rest of the applicants. Oh, and having a BSN is sometimes required.

I have one friend who got into the NICU without an internship/externship, other than that the other (two) friends who got a NICU position right out of college were students who had that internship/externship to help them stand out from a sea of applications!

I hope this helps! Don't give up! Goood Luck with everything :)

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Specializes in NICU.

You said you "have your RN" but are in your first semester. Do you mean you are already a RN and are in a BSN bridge program?

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Specializes in Cardiac.
You said you "have your RN" but are in your first semester. Do you mean you are already a RN and are in a BSN bridge program?

The OP said "once I have my RN".

You are early enough in the game to try and get a job as a aid or tech in a NICU. Or try volunteering as a cuddler.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU.

You have gotten some really great advice already from the previous posters, so I don't have much to add in relation to that.

However, I would like to tell you that it's NOT impossible to get a job in the NICU without completing an internship/externship. I have a previous BS and graduated with an ADN in December 09. I only spent about 6 hours in the NICU during my pediatric clinicals and I didn't volunteer or complete and internship before graduation. I was willing to move any where in Texas for a NICU job because I knew adults just was not for me. I wound up landing an interview in a different city and got offered the job while driving home from the interview. They had over 250 applicants and only hired 5. I think having a true passion for taking care of babies and self confidence goes a very long way. I have a love for parent teaching and taking care of their needs along with the baby's and I believe that truly helped me land my job. I also graduated with 3 other girls that got hired into the NICU without additional experience! Now, I'm not saying that completing an internship is worthless, I'm sure it will give you a leg up on the competition in a tight market but I'm just giving you my experience.

I wish you the best of luck! I :redbeathe the NICU more than anything and I will work there for the rest of my career. It's such an amazing place to work and if it is where you want to be, definitely do whatever it takes to get there.

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Thanks everyone for your advice!!

Just saw all the great tips and i'm grateful!!!

I'm going to call up a local hospital and see if i can volunteer to be a cuddler or some other kind of help in the NICU.

Thanks again for your help!!!!

:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

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