Question:
Dear Donna,
I have been an RN on the psych unit for the past nine years. Before that I worked in the nursery/NICU, which I would like to get back to. Since the majority of hospitals hire experienced Level II nurses for NICU/nursery, how can I get back to this unit?
NICU Nurse
Dear Donna,
I have been an RN on the psych unit for the past nine years. Before that I worked in the nursery/NICU, which I would like to get back to. Since the majority of hospitals hire experienced Level II nurses for NICU/nursery, how can I get back to this unit?
NICU Nurse
Dear Donna replies:
Dear NICU Nurse,
Some NICUs/nurseries have volunteer positions available to feed and hold babies. This would be a great way for you to get your foot in the door and get reacclimated to the specialty. You can let the staff know you have NICU experience and would love to work there as an RN. Volunteering gives you recent experience to add to your resume and to discuss at an interview.
Attend local chapter meetings of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (www.nann.org), even as a guest for now. When there's something you want to do, it makes sense to rub elbows with those already doing it. These meetings will give you a chance to make valuable professional contacts, including those who hire nurses into the specialty. Networking is well known to be a great way to find a job.
Track down former co-workers and supervisors from your old NICU to network with also. Find them on LinkedIn and Facebook. Let them know you want to get back to the NICU and ask them for introductions, leads and contacts. The power of networking is that people know people who know other people.
Check with your local chapter of NANN, your area contacts and local hospitals to see if anyone offers a NICU training course. That might serve as a good refresher course for you and will look good to prospective employers. Also, you can get recertified in infant/pedi life support.
A traditional RN refresher course might be helpful in certain ways (some hospitals might want it) but they are based on adult care, and what you learn and practice is so different from what you’d be doing in the NICU. Don’t sign up for anything unless the feedback you get from recruiters and managers is to do it — or if it would boost your confidence.
Best wishes,
Donna
Dear NICU Nurse,
Some NICUs/nurseries have volunteer positions available to feed and hold babies. This would be a great way for you to get your foot in the door and get reacclimated to the specialty. You can let the staff know you have NICU experience and would love to work there as an RN. Volunteering gives you recent experience to add to your resume and to discuss at an interview.
Attend local chapter meetings of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (www.nann.org), even as a guest for now. When there's something you want to do, it makes sense to rub elbows with those already doing it. These meetings will give you a chance to make valuable professional contacts, including those who hire nurses into the specialty. Networking is well known to be a great way to find a job.
Track down former co-workers and supervisors from your old NICU to network with also. Find them on LinkedIn and Facebook. Let them know you want to get back to the NICU and ask them for introductions, leads and contacts. The power of networking is that people know people who know other people.
Check with your local chapter of NANN, your area contacts and local hospitals to see if anyone offers a NICU training course. That might serve as a good refresher course for you and will look good to prospective employers. Also, you can get recertified in infant/pedi life support.
A traditional RN refresher course might be helpful in certain ways (some hospitals might want it) but they are based on adult care, and what you learn and practice is so different from what you’d be doing in the NICU. Don’t sign up for anything unless the feedback you get from recruiters and managers is to do it — or if it would boost your confidence.
Best wishes,
Donna
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of “Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional” and “The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career.” Information about the books is available at www.Nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.Nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.Nurse.com/Asktheexperts/Deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call 800-866-0919 or visit http://Events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.
