Transition to NICU

[monday_cupcakes]

Hello all! I am currently a Public Health Nurse looking to become a NICU Nurse. I have been stalking this section for about a month now and I have finally decided to take the leap in applying to become a NICU Nurse. I have 2 years experience as a nurse, but nothing acute care. I'm planning to take an NRP and STABLE course to help beef up my resume and refresh my knowledge. I am still worried that because I have no hospital experience and I've been out of school for a while that I won't get a chance to finally become a NICU Nurse. I did do NICU as my senior preceptorship and honestly, it's the only specialty I am willing to go back to the hospital for. I will also order Merenstein & Garner's Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care so that I can review and prepare just in case. Does anyone else have any advice for a non-new grad trying to make her way into the world of NICU? Thank you all and have a Happy Monday

[prmenrs, RN]

You are one gutsy person! I hope some unit gives you a chance and you fly.

Get a few highlighters for your Merenstein. You might join one of the professional organizations, or just subscribe to Neonatal Network. If there is a conference in your vicinity, try to go.

Find a unit that gives their new grads a lot of didactic before starting orientation @ the bedside. I think you can do this!

[monday_cupcakes]

You are one gutsy person! I hope some unit gives you a chance and you fly.

Get a few highlighters for your Merenstein. You might join one of the professional organizations, or just subscribe to Neonatal Network. If there is a conference in your vicinity, try to go.

Find a unit that gives their new grads a lot of didactic before starting orientation @ the bedside. I think you can do this!

Thank you! I will definitely look into the Neonatal Network. I found one hospital in my area that has a NICU Training Program and the only requirements are that you have a Senior Preceptorship in NICU and NRP. The rest of the hospitals, I believe, only have New Grad Programs which I wouldn't qualify for because of how long I've been out of school. I'm super nervous and scared it won't happen. Hopefully, the STABLE class gives me extra points and there's a Cardiac STABLE class I want to take as well. I am totally dedicated to this. I have been studying non-stop. I just want a chance to prove myself!