What did you do before?

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I'm still a student and my dream job is to work in the NICU. It's hard to get into the NICU around here. I know any job is better than no job and so I will try to get any experience I can while trying to get my dream job! so, I wonder what experience you all had before getting the job in NICU? and did it help you land the job? ? thank you!

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Specializes in NICU.

I had always been interested in working with NICU babies, but the hospital I started my career in had not yet opened one. It was a pediatric hospital, and this was in 1976. I started by working in a Medical-Surgical/ Isolation floor for 1½ years. Whenever I was floated to the PICU, I found that I enjoyed the type and pace of work there. When an opening became available, I transferred to the PICU, and worked there for 2½ years. Finally, the hospital opened its' own NICU, with 15 beds. That was in March 1980. I was the first RN hired to work there. I loved my job; NICU nursing was what I had been waiting for, and I worked in the field for 30 years. I am now retired.

Having a solid base in caring for a variety of patients on the floor, then in the PICU, gave me the experience and helped my transition to the NICU. Because at the time, not much was known about NICU nursing. We studied everything we could get our hands on, & had experienced neonatologists to guide us.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Medsurg

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Specializes in ICU.

Adult oncology

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Specializes in NICU.

I was fortunate to go right into the NICU as a GN.

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Specializes in NICU.

medical/oncology with tele

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
I was fortunate to go right into the NICU as a GN.

Me too.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

Many years of general Peds, PICU, Peds private duty.

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Came to Level III NICU as a new grad... I was a nurse tech (float) at the hospital that I now work at, which may have made me "more marketable."

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Graduate nurse :) I have worn many hats in our unit and moonlighted in PICU and PACU :)

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this definitely gives me hope! im hoping to work in a pediatric hospital but im in an adn program and most of the pediatric hospitals prefer bsn so i might have to wait till i finish that route!

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Me too.

Same here.

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