Want to get into NICU nursing

[rn/writer, RN]

hello to all of you nifty nicu folks.

i would like some input on how to approach the nurse manager of the nicu i'd like to work in.

i just finished an rn update program in december and hope to get an entry level position in the nicu at our children's hospital. i was out of nursing for five years and did sub-acute in a monolithic nursing home (tons of end-stage patients) and child/adolescent psych before i left. i have 15 years experience as an emt. i have six kids and nine g-kids, two with serious special needs. one has cp with lissencephaly and encephalomalacia. the other has spina bifida with chiari ii malformation. both have shunts. i've been a regular foster parent and a treatment foster parent. we cared for a baby with trisomy 13 (gavage feedings, suctioning d/t severe cleft lip and palate) until she died at the age of four months. i'm also going to volunteer at a special needs nursery but i'll have to limit my actions to those of a lay person. (doesn't mean i can't look and learn.) :wink2: oh, and i did a couple of summers of camp nursing.

according to one of the hr people, the nicu mgr. has all the new grad/inexperienced rns she can use right now. that's okay with me. for personal reasons, i won't be able to take a job until mid-may. at least i know that the mgr does hire newbies.

on another thread, i inquired about when to apply and was told that it isn't too soon to start now.

soooo, here's where i need some ideas. i'd like to send a letter to this nicu manager but i'm not sure what i should say. i can include the things i listed above but what kinds of things would attract positive attention?

i want to acknowledge my lack of peds clinical experience without sounding sniveling and apologetic. :chair: and i'd like to point out the life experience i've acquired without sounding boastful. i can think on my feet, deal with insane people, maintain good emotional boundaries, learn fast, juggle details, and work night shift (i prefer it). :zzzzz

i've also been struggling with the inevitable question, "why do you want to work in a nicu?" the problem is not that i don't have any answers--it's that i have too many.

help!

i've enjoyed this thread tremendously and have learned much and been inspired to look up more. thanks, not only for doing the important work you've been given, but for sharing it as well.

miranda f.

[neonursey]

Hi!!!

Man, if you came onto our floor and told the Head nurse you'd work nights, she'd hire you on the spot, lol.

I am a new grad, it will be a year in february in my nicu. I came RIGHT out of school with VERY LITTLE experience. I wrote a letter myself to the head nurse to intoduce myself and my interest in nic. WELL, apparently i did something right cause here i am one year later. I asked her why she hired me considering my limited experience with babies and new grad status. She told me it was because i seemed very eager to learn, had the drive to be a NICU nurse and was confident.

You have fantastic experience in my opinion, and you certainly seem like you have the drive to be there!! In your letter just be honest, like you were in your thread! (print it and send THAT in, lol). The fact you already had experience with shunts, gavage feeeding and suctioning is impressive. Explain that this is something you really want to do and are willing to wait for an opening- dont hesitate to list all the reasons you want to be a NICU nurse!! You wont come off as boastful-just passionate!I am sure you would be a fantastic asset to the unit.

I know this is probably of little help, but i figured i would write incase it encourages you the tiniest bit. I was just in the same position as you so I know how you feel!!

I truly wish you the best of luck Miranda!! Keep us posted!!

Lisa.

[JVanRN]

Don't really have any advice...but you sound like you would be a real asset to the unit...good luck!

[MsJessikia]

tell her the same things you just told us. any place would be very lucky to have you!!

[rn/writer, RN]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to write to the nurse manager and see where that leads me. In the meantime, I'm reading the most current library books I can find on premies and cardiac kids and whatever else crosses my path. Milwaukee Children's Hospital just became a magnet hospital. I'm more eager than ever to work there.

Someone suggested that I request an informational interview so that's the next step. I'll post again when something happens.

Thanks much for the encouragement.

Miranda F.

[rn/writer, RN]

I wrote to the NICU manager of our Children's Hospital and sent the letter two weeks ago. I didn't hear anything but I know she's busy. Monday night, I stayed at the hospital with my sweet little Joseph (our g-kid with spina bifida) on his first post-op night following yet another shunt revision. Yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 1st), I called down to the NICU and explained that I was in the building and asked if I could stop down briefly and introduce myself. No response. Wahhhhh. But there was plenty to keep me occupied so I put it out of my mind.

Today, after business hours, who should call but the NICU manager herself. She apologized for not getting in touch yesterday and said she would have one of the HR people contact me next week to set up an appointment. She seemed okay with my prospective May availability.

Opportunities like this are rare. I really hope we're a good match and I can find a home in the NICU.

Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

Miranda F.