How hard is it to get a job as a NICU nurse? What are your tips for someone with less than a year of experience?
Yo set yourself a part from other applicants take a NALS class prior to applying.
Most NICUs hire new grads. Some require 1 year experience. I have been a NICU nurse for 40 years. 30 years at the bedside and 10 years as a data analyst for NICU. Yes I started as a new grad.NICU offers a variety of patients: tiny baby, surgical, neuro, cardiac and high tech skills: ECMO, dialysis, transport
We just graduated in May. Several of my cohorts got jobs in NICU. I got a job MPCU. Things have changed so much since Covid. New grad nurses are able to go right into a speciality. The hospital where I had my clinical said they are always hiring in NICU
Your best bet is to find either a large NICU or a Children’s Hospital that has an internship. You won’t have enough exposure in a smaller NICU to get a good foundation or experience. Most large NICU’s will hire new grads or those with limited experience. When you interview, make sure you express just how badly you desire to work as a NICU nurse. It’s competitive, so make yourself stand out. Always follow up with a thank you letter, and reiterate your desire for the position. Good luck!
