Trying to get into the NICU

[walleRN]

I recently applied for a starter-level NICU RN position at a hospital 2hrs away from my current location. A few days later I got a rejection letter, saying they decided to interview people with better qualifications. Needless to say I was upset. I can deal with them deciding to hire someone else in the end, but I think I at least deserved an interview. Although I have no "RN" NICU experience that counts, I did have two out-of-state internships as a nursing student in one of the largest NICUs in this country (I think- it was a 67-bed level III NICU, we even had babies on ECMO). Bigger and better than the hospital I was applying to. And I have almost 2years of RN experience on a med-surg unit with high acuity patients (pts on vents, chest tubes, and everything else med-surg). SO...I just don't understand how someone else would be more qualified? If this is a starter level position. I have been searching NICU job listings for over a year, and I never see starter-level positions available, since this recession began. The only positions that are available usually require 1-3years of prior NICU experience; I have applied for some of those anyway and didn't get anything. I was soooooo excited when I saw this new listing for a starter-level position. :)

How is someone ever going to get into the NICU if the only positions offered require experience? It doesn't make sense. What more do I have to do to be accepted for a starter-level position? I'm so frustrated... I feel like it is never going to happen.

I wonder if 50 people applied or something? Maybe they hired a recent grad who did their partnership directly in that NICU...? At any rate, I think I still deserved an interview.

Some specs on the job listing:

NICU Internship

6-month long internship, asking for a 2-year committment upon completion

Requirements:

Graduation from accreditted nursing school (got it)

BSN degree (got it)

Current state licensure and passing of NCLEX (got it)

Analyitical ability, interpersonal and communication skills, nursing knowledge (got those, as they could see on my resume or would have seen in person if they had given me an interview)

*"As this is an entry-level position, experience as an RN is not required"* (it was not required, but I had that experience and thought it would be a bonus...guess not)

What am I missing?

[vanlo001]

WalleRN,

All sorts of things come into play when they hire for these positions. They may have had a candidate that already trained in their NICU or they might have wanted someone who was a brand brand new nurse so they didn't have to undue Amy habits you had acquired at another facility. It's hard to tell. It's highly competitive right now but these things come in cycles. Right now it's hard to get in, but that may change soon and meanwhile you are gaining experience and you will be am ideal candidate for someone. I've seen advertised positions only to find out that they hire internal candidates first or that they had someone else in mind. Try not to take it personal. And even if you meet every qualification you will find, that doesn't entitle you to a job interview. Keep searching.