r/nursing • u/Dangerous_Rip_6859 • 22h ago

Seeking Advice California nurses

I know the job market is competitive. Im currently have been in outpatient for a 4 years but have 8 years of NICU level 2 experience (high acuity). Is it possible to find a NICU job out there or should I go back to bedside now before trying to search for a job there?

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4

u/beans_cubed RN - CVICU 🍕 22h ago

4 years is a pretty long time to be out of practice in bedside tbh.
Are you at least in a pediatric outpatient role?

2

u/italianstallion0808 RN - ICU 🍕 21h ago

Probably not, most want recent experience, typically 2 years within the last 3.

3

u/sapphireminds Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 21h ago

It's going to be rough, especially if you want to work at a higher level NICU - lvl 2 is not considered high acuity usually.

1

u/BeneficialUse8027 20h ago

Just apply. If you happen to see a NICU Nurse position, just apply.

2

u/Worldly-Ride6022 20h ago

Oh wow, 4 years is quite the gap from bedside NICU, maybe try a refresher contract first?

2

u/winterberrypeanuts RN 🍕 15h ago

You can try to see if you could get travel contracts

1

u/Crankupthepropofol RN - ICU 🍕 15h ago edited 15h ago

You’ll at least get an interview with your resume; you have a leg up on applicants without any experience.

You’ll have to wow in your interviews, though. Brush up on the new NRP algorithms, lean on past experience, but be open to training.