Want to be a NICU Nurse

[outdooradventuregirl]

For the last 3 years I have been working as a L&D RN and I've discovered that my heart belongs in the NICU. I've been working as an RN for almost 6 years and trying to get into the NICU seems impossible because I am not a new grad. Does anyone have any good programs, orientations classes, books, online courses or ANY advice that can help me to get out of L&D and into the NICU?!!? It seems every job I apply for, I don't qualify because I don't have any NICU experience or I am not a new grad to qualify to go through the hospitals own neonatal orientation program. Any advice would be so helpful, I feel like I'm never going to get there... THANKS!!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Maybe you can look into doing some per diem shifts in NICU with some feeder-grower babies to get a feel for it, as well as get your foot in the door.

http://www.motherbabyuniversity.com

http://www.nicuniversity.com

Both of these have good education modules. You may also want to pick up a "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing" by Therese Verklan.

[gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I've actually been told by hospitals that they won't hire new grads into their NICU, specifically CHOP in Philadelphia. I'm going to be a new grad in July and it seems like it should be harder for me to get into a NICU than it should be for someone who has at least L&D experience of 3 years. Are you set on staying at the same hospital?

[babyNP., APRN]

Are you sure that's true about CHOP? I'll be a new grad in June and I've been in contact with them.

[gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Yup. CHOP actually told that they just won't take ANY new grads into the NICU. I'm applying anyways though.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

It also depends on what mood the hospital is in....we hired about 10-12 new grads all at once over the summer, and now HR is requiring NICU experience while turning away new grads. When the units get desperate enough, or finally get the staffing/preceptors set, they will usually open back up to new grads.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

I think that, like Steve said, it's a pendulum effect. Our unit didn't hire new grads until a few years ago - then, as he said, this summer we hired a whole passel. People who had never oriented before and themselves only had a couple of years experience were suddenly precepting brand new nurses. Now we're in a position of having a whole bunch of new nurses who may not have had the best orientation. I WAS A NEW GRAD HIRE MYSELF (although not part of this big group), so obviously I'm not knocking new grads in NICU; I firmly agree with the idea that you don't have to "train out" adult habits. However, a huge group all at once does change the dynamic in the unit.

If you're having trouble getting hired, I'd recommend getting some other kind of peds experience - especially PICU if you can get it.

[justyourgloves]

[color=#483d8b]outdooradventuregirl ~ i am wanting to change to nicu also. i did see information regarding learning, possible certification? on the awhonn website.

[color=#483d8b]www.awhonn.org

[color=#483d8b]i think i'll take a few classes on that site also.

[color=#483d8b]good luck to you!

[babyNP., APRN]

Yup. CHOP actually told that they just won't take ANY new grads into the NICU. I'm applying anyways though.

Well, whoever told you that didn't know what they're talking about...

BECAUSE I JUST GOT AN INTERVIEW THERE!!!!

No, seriously, go apply. I sent in my app for the NICU, they answered me back with some questions about why I want to work there, and then just got off the phone with one of the ladies and got an interview for mid-March.

She said that they're expanding their NICU units from 60-75 or something like that and they have a few different start dates for new grads, 2 weeks general classroom peds teaching, 2 weeks NICU classroom, 12 weeks with a day and night preceptor. The August start dates are filled, but the September and June ones are still open.

GOOD LUCK!!!!