What are your tips for getting into NICU? How likely is it to get in for someone who has a year of Med-Surg experience?

I did it! ( I mean I had four years of med-surg experience), one year is more than enough. Before COVID they used to say at least two years of medsurg experience to go into any ICU setting. I've seen NICU's hire new grads. The new grads usually volunteered for NICU while in school so that did help some, but a lot were hired right out of school. I looked up interview questions that would be asked in an interview for NICU and reviewed them before my interview. Keep applying!!! don't be discouraged!

Entering in Neonatal is very different than caring for adults, however if you have a great passion and interest in this area of Nursing, I suggest you contact the Manager for the NICU and inquire if you can shadow a nurse in NICU. This will allow you to see what it is like to work in the NICU. Then inquire on openings as well as the orientation process. If all these are aligned with what you are looking for, Go for it!! .... I love Neonatal care. I left Med - Surg and went into Maternal - Child health and Neonatal and never looked back. It is truly an awarding area of Nursing to work.

That sounds great if you’re able to snag such a position; if you’re finding difficulties getting your foot in the door, a mom-baby postpartum position would be a nice Segway in-between to obtaining your ultimate goal. I have a good friend who did that because she always has loved working with babies.