Will someone give me a chance?

[SCUnursie06]

Any suggestions on how to get a position in a NICU when the hospital gives 1st preference to their own employees or experienced nurses? You can't get experience if your not given a chance. I live in an area that there is only 1 hospital with a NICU unless I'm willing to travel at least an hr away. It's very frustrating!

[NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN]

If your hospital gives preference to internal candidates, I suggest you get your feet wet for a year in that hospital, but in a different unit. Although you may not WANT to work in another unit, it sounds like you may also not want to drive too far for a job. You may have to compromise. Yes, eventually you will find a position in the NICU, but getting there might not be fast and easy. Once you are there, you will probably love it!

I would also consider the driving for a year or two and then applying closer to home. I live in the city and A LOT of my co-workers travel even over an hour to get to work (including bad traffic), but for them, it's worth it b/c NICU is where they want to work.

Good luck;)

[llg, PhD, RN]

The job of your dreams does not always exist in your neighborhood. Sometimes, you have to make tough choices and compromise. You have 2 choices:

1. Work for your local hospital in whatever job you can get now -- and show them what a great employee you are. Build a good reputation for yourself and use it to get a NICU job there when the opportunity arises.

2. Either commute to the other hospital ... or move closer to that other hospital. After you get some experience in that NICU further away, then you can apply in the NICU closer to where you live now.

Make the choice that appeals to you most -- and then do it. Either way, in 2 or 3 years (maybe less), you will have the job you want. You will also benefit from the additional experience you get in the meantime.