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I’ve worked in nursing for over 10 years and let me tell you — I have spent what feels like months of my life applying and interviewing for new grad programs , travel nurse positions, per diem roles, and staff nurse jobs. Filling out online applications can be overwhelming and exhausting, but finally landing an interview definitely gives you the boost you need! In this post, I’ll review some tried-and-true nursing interview tips and tricks  I have learned along the way. 12 NURSE INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS! Interviews are nerve-racking no matter how experienced you are! However, keeping calm under pressure is a true skill that takes time to master. If you’re smart, you’ll learn and practice these skills before your first official interview. Here are a few insights that helped me land my favorite jobs. INTERVIEW BASICS 1. DRESS THE PART! While it would be nice to think that nurse managers don’t judge a candidate's professionalism by how they present themselves, it’s simply not true. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to spend a month’s salary on a designer outfit or briefcase. The best thing you can do is wear something that makes you look and feel confident. Here are some nursing interview outfit ideas  to get you started. Women: A skirt or pantsuit with jacket and button down collared shirt or blouse Skirts or dresses should be knee-length Avoid flashy colors or patterns Heels should be low or wear flats, no open toes Pantyhose for skirts or dresses No cleavage exposure Natural hair color Earrings should be studs or no bigger than dime sized Necklace should be simple Handbag should be neutral No perfume or mild use of perfume Fingernails should be short and without chips in polish Men: A suit is preferred with jacket and button down collared shirt Pants and jacket should match, if they are not a suit Tie is optional but when in doubt, wear it Avoid bright colors or patterns Black or brown socks, avoid wearing white socks with dark dress shoes Black or brown dress shoes Natural hair color and neat haircut Mild cologne or none at all Neat and natural fingernails 2. PORTFOLIO For some nurses, a nursing professional portfolio   could mean a binder with a resume, cover letter, and career-boosting documents like Daisy Awards, research papers, and certifications . Other nurses may prepare an electronic portfolio that can be accessed on LinkedIn.  Whether you’re a new graduate or have years of clinical experience, you’ll want to show your interviewer that you’ve prepared and are genuinely interested in the position. Show them that you’re qualified for their role and don’t be afraid to boast about your successes! 3. DO YOUR RESEARCH Know the company & position you are interviewing for! You can start by familiarizing yourself with the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Next, learn a bit more about the patient population they serve. Again, the purpose here is to demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to prepare for this unique position — this is your opportunity to take your interviewer by surprise and get a leg up on other competing applicants. 4. ONE-MINUTE PITCH When introducing yourself in the interview, be sure to share a bit about your personal and professional background. Why did you choose nursing?  How do your experiences prepare you for this role? These are the questions interviewers will be looking for you to answer. 5. PRACTICE ANSWERING COMMON NURSE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS While each position is unique, interviewers don’t reinvent the wheel for each candidate. Most interviews start out with a basic interview question like “Tell me a bit about yourself” and go on to ask critical-thinking and behavioral questions later in the process. You can’t know the exact questions you’ll be asked, but you can guess what they’re going to want to know about you. Prepare by drafting answers to frequently asked nursing interview questions. That way, you’ve got a repository of answers you can use for a variety of interview questions. It can also be helpful to practice your interview with a friend or family member to perfect your flow, speed, and volume. CHECK OUT OUR E-BOOK COMPLETE WITH INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS. BONUS QUESTIONS, PORTFOLIO BREAKDOWN, RESUME AND COVER LETTER RESOURCES, SOCIAL MEDIA CONSIDERATIONS AND MORE! 6. ARRIVE EARLY Nothing adds extra stress to an interview like running behind. Be sure to arrive with plenty of time to avoid traffic, park, and figure out where you need to be. Managers will want to be sure that the employee they hire will show up for their shifts on time — be sure to put your best foot forward! 7. SMILE & MAINTAIN GOOD EYE CONTACT For some reason, there’s a common misconception that smiling during an interview isn’t professional. In nursing, this is definitely not the case. The interviewer will want to know they’re hiring someone who’s caring, kind, and compassionate. Be sure to demonstrate these signs of strong communication skills and showcase your passion and enthusiasm. Keep it natural, like you’re talking to a trusted mentor or colleague. 8. TAKE NOTES The interview process isn’t one sided. This is your opportunity to get to know a bit more about the hiring manager, unit, and facility as well. Taking notes can show interviewers that you’re interested in learning the details and logistics of the position. It can also help you remember points you want to get clarity on later in the interview, like scheduling expectations and onboarding requirements. 9. KEEP YOUR PHONE TURNED OFF AND TUCKED AWAY How embarrassing would it be if you worked hard to earn and prepare for your interview, only to be distracted by a loud call or text message? The best thing to do is to keep your phone in the car and avoid the problem altogether. If you need your phone with you for safety or navigation, be sure to turn it off prior to entering the interview room.  From the moment you step foot in the building, you want your focus to be on landing the job. Your family, friends, or significant other can hear all about it AFTER it’s over and done with! 10. BRING ALONG EXTRA COPIES OF YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER Some interviews may be held by a panel of hiring managers, educators, charge nurses, and HR personnel. You’ll want to make sure that everyone at the table receives your resume and cover letter. Bring along extra copies and offer them at the start of your interview. 11. PREPARE A SET OF QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR INTERVIEWER At the end of your interview, you’ll most likely be given the chance to ask questions before concluding. Take the opportunity to get additional insight on any professional development or research opportunities   the position may offer. It’s also important to thank the interviewer for their time. Consider sending a follow-up email or note to show your appreciation for the opportunity. LIST OF QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. What is the size of the unit, organizational structure of the unit, volume? 2. Can you explain your overall organizational structure? 3. Can you discuss your take on the hospital's culture? and philosophy? 4. What does the transition period look like? Expectations of days / nights? 5. What does the orientation look like? Preceptorship? 6. What are some recommendations of getting involved and growing within the unit? 7. What will be the greatest challenge in the job? 8. What are the greatest strengths of this department? 9. Can you describe a typical day for someone in this position? 10. What are the traits and skills of people most successful within this unit? 11. What do you like about working here? 12. RELAX - YOU'VE GOT THIS! Trust me — if anyone knows about pre-interview anxiety, it’s me! However, I’ve learned over the years that the worst thing I can do for myself is to worry and overanalyze how things will go on the morning of the interview. At this point, you’ve put in the time and hard work. Now is when it all pays off.  Eat a good breakfast, get your favorite coffee, and listen to some pump-up music. Take a few deep breaths and remember that you deserve all of the great things coming for you.  Envision yourself getting your dream job and let that vision come to life in your interview. You are going to kill it! Things you can do early: ♡ Spruce up your Resume (typing it out will help you fill in the blanks & be ready to start applying) ♡ Make a list of possible references of people who would write a letter of recommendation for you (get their emails) usually need 2-3 references ♡ Participate in leadership activities at school to stand out in applications ♡ Start an excel spreadsheet of hospitals/units you would consider applying to. Find out when their new grad program applications are due. Get Help for Every Stage of Your Nursing Journey At NICUity , we’re so excited for you to land your dream job! We want to make sure your nursing career starts off strong, which is why we’ve got educational materials, resources, and guides to support and empower you at every step. Check out our Complete Nurse Interview eBook  for additional strategies to help you ace your interview. Good luck! ​ Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Capella University MSN graduate,  and co-founder of NICUity LLC . She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, and content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com  or info@tipsfromtori.com

Those who know me know that I absolutely love Tucson, Arizona . As a proud University of Arizona nursing school graduate ( #beardown ), I’m always looking for ways to brag about the college, the town, and all that it offered me as a new nurse entering the healthcare world.  I lived and worked in Tucson for five years, taking in all that the city had to offer. I loved every second of living there, and was sad to have to leave the vibrant community, natural beauty, and incredible weather that comes with living in this special place.  Many of my close friends, nursing, and social media followers have been discussing high nurse burnout rates at the hospitals where they work. The increased costs of living in many of the fun, vibrant areas have made it challenging to afford the work-life balance and adventure that so many nurses are looking for. Many of my healthcare friends look to balance an exciting career with a fun and healthy lifestyle but can find it challenging to make that a reality. I’ve read a lot in the news recently about how Tucson is investing time, money, and resources   in developing healthcare growth and opportunities in the region, which makes me so excited for my beloved town and the lucky nurses who’ll get to live and work there.  What makes living and working in Tucson so great? Here, I’ll review my top five favorite things about being a nurse in Tucson and showcase the reasons this special city is so close to my heart. Top 5 Reasons to Move to Tucson for Nursing ♡ Tucson is a hustling healthcare hub with incredible career and educational opportunities Whether you’re a new nurse, looking to go back to nursing school, or are a seasoned pro looking for a new adventure, Tucson has so much to offer young professionals working in the healthcare field. The city houses three main medical centers: Banner-University Medicine , El Rio Health , and TMC Health . These hospitals offer robust emergency/trauma, medical and surgical services and specialties.  In addition to these facilities, The University of Arizona  is home to dozens of state-of-the-art science departments, including a school of nursing and a college of medicine. There is a large amount of funding going into making the Tucson medical industry an exciting and supportive place to work, making it the perfect time to consider moving to the area.  ♡ The affordability of the city makes it easy to balance finances and fun.   The cost of living in Tucson is 6% below the national average , making it easier to afford a lifestyle of fun and sun while working in a healthcare role. The average home price in Tucson sits at around $318,000, making it a prime place to live for first time home buyers.  In my opinion, Tucson is truly a hidden gem. The city is very dog and family-friendly, full of good public schools and parks. The college-town vibe makes it feel like new and exciting things are always popping up, while the small-town charm keeps the city warm and inviting as the population grows and expands . Traffic is light for most commutes, which makes it easier for residents to choose where they want to live in town without having to consider how far from the hospital their drive will be.  ♡ There are limitless opportunities for outdoor fun and exploration on days off.  As a night shift nurse, my days off are everything to me! With our long shifts, crazy sleep patterns, and stressful working environments, nurses need to live somewhere that they can find work-life balance. The top healthcare employers in the Tucson area offer top-quality benefits, vacation time, and flexible scheduling, making it easier for you to enjoy days off your way.  Living in Tucson, I knew that every day would be warm and sunny, which meant I could optimize my time with friends and family while I was away from the NICU. Because the town is nestled in the Sonoran Desert, there are so many things to see and do here to rest and recover on days off. Some of the most popular outdoor activities here include: Playing a round of golf  at one of the 40 beautiful courses in the area. Hiking through the desert, forests, and mountains ( Saguaro National Park  and the Coronado National Forest  are two of my favorite sites to explore). Biking on the protected 131-mile trail called “ The Loop ”.  Grabbing fresh produce or artisan goods at a farmers market .  Going horseback riding  through one of the local ranches.  ♡ Tucson is a cultural hub of music, art, food, and drinks.  Known as the Old Pueblo for its Spanish and Native American history, Tucson has an incredible heritage and culture full of art and music. It’s also been rated as the sixth best food city  in the U.S. by Travel+Leisure — you know I love good tacos and margaritas! The three main hospitals in the area are located in the heart of the city, which make it easy to grab tasty food on a lunch break or listen to a local musician after a long shift! Nursing can be tough, and everyone needs a bit of fun on their days off! Events like the Tucson Folk Festival  and the Tucson Mariachi Conference  are fun to visit with friends and family. On easier and more relaxed days, it’s easy to step out and grab fresh produce or artisan goods at a farmers market . ♡ There are endless networking opportunities to help your nursing career flourish. Networking is the name of the game when it comes to finding a new job  or taking the next step in your nursing career. With three major medical centers and The University of Arizona on your doorstep, you’ll be presented with a variety of conferences, seminars, and other education events  that can help you envision yourself in the next stage of your professional nursing journey. Become a Nurse in Tucson and See Your Career Thrive It’s easy to talk about a place you love. For me, my time in Tucson was invaluable and it made me the clinician I am today. If you’re stuck in a rut, are feeling burned out, or are just looking to take the next step in your nursing journey, I fully recommend transforming your career in Tucson. Here, you can find out more about nursing opportunities in Tucson  and discover additional perks of living and working in this bustling and beautiful city.  Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Capella University MSN graduate, and co-founder of NICUity LLC . She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, and content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com  or info@tipsfromtori.com

If you work in the NICU, you know that practice guidelines constantly change and adapt to align with new research findings. Research is essential to safe nursing care, and without strong unit-based evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) projects, it’s difficult to ensure our tiny patients are receiving the most appropriate therapies and interventions! If you’re planning your next NICU research project, paper, or nursing school  capstone project, it can be tough to come up with fresh and creative ideas. Here, I’ll review some of my favorite hot research topics to get you started! NICU Research Project Ideas What Factors Increase the Risk of NEC? How should we standardize assessments and treatments?  What causes colonic pneumatosis? Which antibiotics should be used to optimize outcomes? How and when should we restart infant feedings after NEC diagnosis? How can we reduce the risks of a child with congenital heart disease  (CHD) being diagnosed with NEC? What are some ways to optimize parenteral nutrition? Which imaging techniques should be used to confirm NEC diagnosis? Learn More Here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10026-necrotizing-enterocolitis https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nec.html How Should We Standardize Small Baby Care? Which infant positioning strategies  are best for developmental growth? When and how should oral feedings be initiated? How often should infant weights be measured? What humidity settings are best for ELBW infants? How should we standardize intubations/extubations? When should infants be weaned from isolette to crib? Learn More Here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744165X22000245 https://dandlelionmedical.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ELBW-Summary-Handout-Web-D5-1.pdf Are Probiotics Beneficial to Newborn Infant Gut Development? Do probiotics prevent the development of NEC? Which strains make the biggest impact on gut health? Should probiotics be used as a preventative measure? Are there any contraindications to probiotic use? Learn More Here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-024-01952-0#:~:text=Almost%20all%20NICUs%20reported%20administering,%25%2C%2034%2F84 ). https://www.cochrane.org/CD005496/NEONATAL_probiotics-prevention-necrotising-enterocolitis-very-preterm-or-very-low-birth-weight-infants How Can We Manage the Comorbidities of Prematurity? How can we prevent sepsis in premature newborns? Which early interventions are effective at preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia? What medications can help limit the risk of retinopathy of prematurity? What oral feeding strategies are effective at minimizing NEC complications? Which delivery strategies work best to prevent intraventricular hemorrhage? Learn More Here: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17430-retinopathy-of-prematurity https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/bronchopulmonary-dysplasia#:~:text=BPD%20is%20the%20result%20of,dysplasia%20(BPD)%20lung%20damage . What Is the Best Way To Effectively Treat a PDA?  Is acetaminophen or indomethacin the most effective way to medically treat a PDA?   Does early surgical intervention improve patient outcomes? How should we standardize PDA assessment strategies? Is there anything we can do to improve PDA outcomes prior to an infant’s birth? Learn More Here: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/patent-ductus-arteriosus.html https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17325-patent-ductus-arteriosus-pda How Can We Improve NICU Skin-to-Skin Success?  At what gestational age is it safe to hold an infant? How can we prevent accidental extubations during skin-to-skin? Learn More Here: https://nicudesign.nd.edu/nicu-care-standards/ifcdc--recommendations-for-best-practice-for-positioning-and-touch/ https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/skin-to-skin-care Which Pain Management Strategies are Best for Neonates?  Is it better to use pain medications of one class over the other (opiates, benzodiazepines, alpha II agonists, etc.)? What is the best way to wean intravenous pain medication? Which surgical considerations are important when planning pain management? Is sucrose effective at preventing pain in newborns? Learn More Here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8869922/ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/files/allchildrens/clinical-pathways/neonatal-pain-management-12_20_2023.pdf What Is the Best Way to Optimize Hemodynamic Stability? Which vasopressors or inotropes should be used to manage low blood pressure in premature infants? How often should vasoactive medications be titrated? What blood pressure parameters should be used to manage hemodynamic instability? Is there a certain infant positioning that is best for optimizing blood pressure? Learn More Here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9204669/ https://starship.org.nz/guidelines/blood-pressure-hypertension-in-neonates/ How Can We Improve Lung Compliance and Development? Which ventilator modes  are most effective at managing certain diseases? Which oxygen saturation goals are best for neurologic development? When should surfactant be initiated? How can we prevent negative side effects from the use of supplemental oxygen? What is the best time to start corticosteroids? How often should ABGs/VBGs be drawn to adjust respiratory care strategies? Learn More Here: https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/neonatal-ventilation-basics/ https://www.paediatricfoam.com/2023/01/blood-gases-in-the-nicu/ What Is the Best Way to Improve Access to Palliative Care? How can we offer palliative care to mothers delivering an infant with a poor prognosis? What is the best way to introduce palliative care to a hesitant family? Learn More Here: https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/app/uploads/2018/01/ProRes-Perinatal-Pathway-for-Babies-With-Palliative-Care-Needs.pdf https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/neonatal-intensive-care-unit/neonatology-programs/palliative-care-program/ What Are Some Ways to Assist New Mothers With Breastfeeding? How can we improve privacy for mothers who want to pump in the NICU? What strategies increase milk production? Learn More Here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9500865/ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2017/08/breastfeeding-in-the-nicu-how-to-solve-a-unique-challenge Hope this list helps you in your NICU Research! These are all very relevant in our NICU care with continued improvements in Evidence-Based Research! The more minds and research we can put to these topics the better. Feel free to drop your suggestions and comments below! Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Capella University MSN graduate,  and co-founder of NICUity LLC . She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, and content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com  or info@tipsfromtori.com

My Professional Life as A Nurse ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Welcome to the most special corner of my website. For over 10+ years now I have been working bedside in the secret gem of a unit called the "Neonatal Intensive Care Unit." (NICU). After 4 years of collecting memories, experiences, & developing my career, finally mustered up the courage to start this blog. ​ ​ ​ scroll so you want to become a nicu nurse Becoming a nurse can be stressful — you’ll get different suggestions and opinions from professors, mentors, friends, and family members. All who believe that their way is the only way to success. The truth is that there isn’t one “best” way to get into NICU nursing. We all take different paths that best suit our personal needs, but like other parts of life, there are so many ways to get to a position where we feel fulfilled and successful. Here, I answer an array of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a NICU nurse and outline a few of the most common journeys coworkers and friends have taken to get to where they are in their career today. I outline some of the challenges you may face and provide tips I’ve learned along the way to help you become the strongest and happiest nurse you can be. scroll How do I Become A NICU Nurse? This is by far my most asked question. And a very loaded question at that! There are so many ways to become a NICU nurse and I have so many TIPS to offer you. ​ Topics including: How to become a NICU Nurse Interview & Portfolio Tips & Tricks Resources/Websites for hopeful & current NICU Nurses What is it REALLY like to be a NICU nurse? ​ I have created YOU Exclusive NICU Nurse Content & Resources. All of my best modern-day nurse insight & experiences, a collection of Level IV NICU education, curated blogs, with100+ hours of diligent research, podcast interviews, and more. scroll Nurse BloG Your Exclusive Nurse Tori Content I am stoked to bring you this content! These are my PREMIUM posts curated to help you in your Nurse journey! I have compiled all of my BEST content here for you!! TAKE ME THERE ♡ I WANT TO BE A NICU NURSE, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE TO START! After over 10 years of working bedside, I realized there were few places to go to really understand the nuances of the NICU nurse world. Most sites lack personal perspective and only really scratch the surface. This is a BIG piece of why I started my blog and have focused on curating this space just for you. Here are the BASICS for becoming a NICU nurse: ATTEND NURSING SCHOOL (ADN or BSN programs — BSN is preferred for most NICU RN new grad positions) PASS NCLEX EXAM (nursing boards) APPLY FOR NICU NURSE JOBS (these can include new graduate positions, fellowships, or general RN positions) ♡ WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED TO WORK AS A NICU NURSE? To work bedside (as a NICU nurse) you need your Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). Bachelors degrees (BSNs) are becoming preferred for most positions. This is the same degree that’s required for all other RN positions. While additional specialty certification isn’t always necessary to get a NICU job, it does make you more marketable and versatile — and sometimes comes with an extra pay differential. After getting a certain number of clinical hours in your NICU specialty as a bedside RN, you can sit for your RNC or CCRN certification. This involves sitting down and taking an online examination, much like the NCLEX. You can decide which certification is best for you and your facility by asking unit leadership or experienced coworkers about which certification they hold. The most common NICU certification is RNC-NIC (this is the certification I obtained). ♡ CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR PERSONAL CERTIFICATION EXPERIENCE? I took my RNC-NIC after 3 years of working as a bedside nurse. If you know me, you understand how much I worried throughout the certification experience. I’m a horrible student and test taker, and feared I wouldn’t pass the examination after hours of studying. I made it through, however, and I’m so glad I took the time and effort required to get it done! You can find out more about the RNC-NIC Certification via the National Certification Corporation (NCC) here, or in the exclusive nurse content included in my blog! ♡ DID YOU GET A NICU JOB AS A NEW GRAD? DID YOU HAVE ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE? YES, I did! I was hired as a NICU New Grad Nurse and NO, I did not have prior NICU nursing experience. However, I interviewed for several different Nurse Residency Programs all over California & Arizona. It took me 8+ months and multiple interviews to land my first job out of nursing school. This is why I am so passionate about helping you all through the interview process. We don’t really learn interview skills in nursing school, despite them being a key factor in getting a job offer. If you are in the process of interviewing or want to know what to expect and how to prepare, I highly recommend our E-book and Podcast episode to help you in your process! SHOP MY NEW GRAD NURSE E-BOOK & RESOURCES! THINK LIKE AN ATHLETE! INTERVIEW PREP PODCAST EPISODE ♡ DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW GRAD NURSE POINTERS? Too many to count! I have compiled 10+ years of NICU nurse experience, crowd sourced from NICU colleagues, and combined it all here for you in this blog. Starting a new job can be challenging, and our very unique patient population can make the whole experience more nervewracking! Whether you’ve just landed your dream job in the NICU, are thinking about applying to nursing school, are studying for the NCLEX, or are a new grad considering where to apply - here’s some hot tips for you if you’re considering starting out your career in the NICU! ♡ WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NURSE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS? Any time someone is PAYING you to learn, I say DO IT! Nurse residencies, sometimes called “New Grad Programs”, are paid programs created to help nursing students transition to the professional nursing world. These often include a year of paid instructional time, either in a classroom or clinical setting, to help new clinicians find success and happiness in their new roles. Each facility or organizaiton structures their nurse residency program in a different way, and some are more competetive to get into than others. Research shows that nurses who start out in a residency program have higher retention and job satisfaciton rates. I personally loved my program, made great friends, and felt confident and competent when providing clinical care. I highly recommend starting in a nurse residency! ♡ IS THE NICU A GOOD UNIT TO START IN AS A NEW GRAD, OR SHOULD I GET MORE GENERAL EXPERIENCE BEFORE WORKING WITH INFANTS? Everyone will give you a different answer to this question, so it can be tough to know who to believe! In my experience, the NICU is a great place to start! I began my nursing career in a NICU nurse residency program and have never felt like I needed any other experience to be happy and successful. However, I know plenty of amazing NICU nurses who started elsewhere and transitioned from other units like adult ICUs, L&D, postpartum units, PACU, or OR. In fact, when I was applying for jobs, I truly thought I wanted to be a CVICU/CTICU Cardiothoracic Pediatric Nurse. That was my passion and I felt so drawn to that population and their families! However, due to application process & job strategy, I opted to apply to NICU! At the time, the NICU was hiring more new grads and I thought I had a better chance of landing one of those jobs. I did get the job, and it was then that I discovered my love for preemies. Not only that, but I also have the opportunity to work with cardiothoracic patients within my level IV NICU! I’ve gotten the best of both worlds. ♡ SHOULD I WORK IN MED SURG FIRST BEFORE APPLYING TO NICU? NO. You no not NEED to work med surg first. Many nursing students hear this type of guidance from professors and clinical instructors. In my opinion, however, you do NOT need to work in med surg prior to getting a job in your desired specialty. This is a relatively old school train of thought. My belief is that if you want to start in a specialized area, do it! With this having been said, it can be a bit more challenging to get a job in the NICU if you don’t have any previous nursing experience. It took me 8+ months and multiple interviews to land my first job, and at times I was frustrated and doubtful that things would work out how I wanted them to. If you find yourself having a challenging time getting a job offer, I have two pieces of advice: A FEW TIPS: ​​​​​​​ 1. Embrace YOUR journey! Everyone's path is different — who knows where your personal nurse journey will lead you. 2. If you work for a while & find yourself miserable, take time to spruce up your resume & portfolio; research Nurse Transition programs or Fellowships & make some changes to your professional life. It’s never too late to change your mind. 3. You may have to move cities or consider a life change but the career you want is achievable. Be patient :) ♡ I WORK IN ANOTHER UNIT, HOW DO I START THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING TO THE NICU? Every facility and unit has different processes for hiring RNs looking to transition to the NICU. The best thing you can do for yourself is to immerse yourself in the NICU world as much as you can prior to applying for the job. Reach out to the NICU unit manager and ask them to shadow or volunteer on the unit for a day to see how the team works. This shows them that you’re seriously interested in the opportunity to work there. Becoming NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) and PALS (pediatric advanced life support) certified can help your resume stand out and show your dedication to becoming a safe NICU nurse. Enrolling in a NICU-specific educational course can also prepare you for the transition and can refamiliarize you with infant-specific care guidelines you might not remember from nursing school. ♡ DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NURSES TRANSITIONING FROM THE ADULT WORLD TO NICU? First things first: prepare to feel like a new grad again. It’s totally okay to feel like you’re starting all over — NICU is truly its own world. Vital signs, medications, care plans, priorities, emotions, treatments, and diagnoses are all so different. I have been a NICU nurse for over 10 years and STILL feel like I’m learning new things every shift. That’s why I LOVE our patient population. A few key NICU-specific things to remember: Heart Rate: 100-200 (anything below 60 makes you break out in sweats) Respirations: 10-100 (apnea is normal in preemies and is expected) FiO2 Sats: 85-100 (but sats of 50s are ok in some situations, as long as you have a heart rate!!) Temp: 36.5-37.5 C (anything outside of these are a big NO NO and require immediate intervention) NPASS: Pain Score 0-4 IV Med Volumes: we usually measure these per 0.01 ml (YES- you read that correctly. Every 0.01 mL flush behind the med is also technically a bolus: we take our decimal points seriously here when doing med calcs!!) Care Plan Considerations: these are all based on gestsational age & weight Skin to Skin: this is an essential part of your plan of care Caffeine is your best friend (in coffee form for yourself and medication form for your patients) Poop is something you will celebrate (trust me, this is easier in the NICU than most other units LOL) Just know you are in the right place and you’ve got plenty of support to help you in your journey! xo ♡ IF I TRANSITION TO NICU, WILL I LOOSE ALL MY NURSING SKILLS I LEARNED IN MY PREVIOUS JOB? GREAT question. Frankly: yes. The skills you need for working in the NICU are so specific and unique that most of the skills you learned in your other unit are no longer relevant. However, some of the most important skills you need to be a good nurse transcend all specialties and unit types: Compassion and empathy towards patients and families Medication calculation Efficient and timely charting Prioritization, delegation, and communication Staying calm and collected in stressful and critical situations Every unit, clinic, hospital, community setting you go into will be unique in its own way. There is no way to keep up with every skill you were introduced to in nursing school or your previous units. However, the beauty of nursing is you can always try something else! I have worked as a travel nurse & pediatric critical care float nurse (CVICU, PICU, NICU, & Oncology)! It’s exciting to relearn about patient populations and update your skills! If you decide you want to move on & try something new you can! Just because you "lost" your skill doesn't mean you can't relearn it. Nursing is like riding a bike; you just get back on and try it again — it’ll all come back so much quicker than you think! GET ALL THE DEETS HERE: THE CELLFIE SHOW - LIFE OF A NICU NURSE ♡ DO YOU HAVE ANY NICU NURSE INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS? Yes I do! TOO MANY TO COUNT! After working for over 10 years in the nursing field and spending an incredible amount of time applying for jobs (new grad positions, travel nurse positions, per diem & staff nurse jobs, you name it) I have loads of experience with the nurse interview process. Filling out the online applications can be overwhelming, but landing that interview is so exhilarating and all of my jobs have been worth every ounce of anxiety and fear! Here are some of my top “Nurse Interview Tips and Tricks” I have learned along the way. Head over to my blog to check out all of our pearls of wisdom, resources, Nurse Report sheets, SBAR printables, interview prep tips, resume writing, tips & tricks as well. ♡ WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A NICU NURSE? I love so many things about being a NICU nurse. I have a true passion for the neonatal patient population & helping families through some of the toughest times of their lives. Some babies have no parental presence at their bedside, and being their advocate and caregiver as they grow bigger and stronger is such a powerful experience. From the adrenaline rushes, emergency procedures, detailed medication calculations, and unpredictable diagnises, I love being on my toes with these babies. Pre-op prep, surgical care, cardiac anomolies, neuro protection, GI/GU diagnoses; everything is so important when caring for such a complex patient population. I love expanding my knowledge by attending classes and conferences, earning new certifications, and challenging myself at the beside by taking on new leadership roles. I also love the flexibility that comes with working in the NICU. I have worked full time nights, part-time, per diem, travel nurse contracts, and even worked as a pediatric float nurse for a year (NICU, PICU, CVICU, oncology, etc). Being a nurse offers a variety of different opportunities, schedules, specialties, and educational growth — it’s a career unlike any other. My love for the NICU doesn’t stop at the bedside. After much time learning, soul searching, and networking, I decided to start a podcast! I realized I had this huge network of providers, innovators, and people of interest to bring to you! In addition, I also value education & am working to advance my degree. I decided to take a big leap and chose the MSN route. I’m currently an MSN Capella University sponsored student. This is the beauty of nursing; there are so many opportunities out there! xo ♡ WHAT KINDS OF DIAGNOSIS DO YOU SEE IN THE NICU? There are many reasons why a baby would end up in a NICU. The reason could be as simple as dehydration from breastfeeding difficulties and could be as complex as a life threatening diagnosis or congenital disease. The type and complexity of the diagnoses you may see depends on the level of NICU you work at. Acuity levels range from I-IV, with level IV facilities providing the most comprehensive and complex care. Diagnosis Include: Prematurity (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) Early term infants (babies born between 37-39 weeks of pregnancy) Low birth weight (babies that weigh less than 5.5 pounds) Micro-preemies, Sepsis (serious infections) Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) Heart Defects Congenital anomalies Respiratory failure Birth defects Trauma Seizures Gastroschisis Hypoglycemia Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) Jaundice Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Multiples (Twins, Triplets) Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS, drug addicted mothers) Unknown pregnancies Precipitous birth Placental Abruption, etc. Learn more here....NICU 101 ♡ WITH THE STRESSES OF NICU NURSING, HOW DO YOU FIND WORK-LIFE BALANCE & PRIORITIZE YOUR PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH? Working as a nurse — or in any healthcare position for that matter — is one of the most rewarding and taxing jobs out there. We are in the business of curing and healing people, and it can be draining. Patients coming to us at their best & worst is our everyday job. We work with life & death, tending to those new to the world and those on life support. Every day, we are witness to the happiest & saddest of the human experiences. To be frank, it is a lot, both mentally & physically. I do find ways to grow as a nurse. For example; I participate in committees, attend conferences, take classes, precept, and take on projects. However, I have also learned to set boundaries and tell managers and coworkers "No”. No to overtime, no to working extra weekend shifts, no to writing research papers when I already feel bogged down. It’s taken me my entire career to learn this, and trust me: I’m still practicing! I went through a heavy "burnout" period early on in my bedside career. 3 years into NICU I was very "burned out," and I decided to make a change; this is when I took on my first travel assignment. That helped me rekindle my love for bedside and reminded me why I love my job. Now, I prioritize balance. That is my biggest pearl of wisdom. I juggle bedside care, studying to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, instagramming, blogging, developing my new business, spending time with my husband, exercising, riding horses, and relaxing at the beach. ♡ I AM 35+, DO YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE TO PURSUE NURSING? NO! I know plenty of nurses who made "nursing" their second or third career. It takes 2-4 years to get through nursing school, with pre-rec time included. If you become a nurse at 40+, you still have 25+ years of work potential! I personally think some of the best nurses come into the industry with seasoned life experience. Life, family, personal ups & downs: that is what will make you relatable and an empathetic nurse. ​​​​​​​CHECK OUT MY BLOG POST ON "NICU NURSE 101" CHECK OUT MY PODCAST FULL OF NICU NURSE HOT TOPICS!!! Mommy Labor Nurse EP132: NICU Tips from NICU Nurse Tori Click here to tune in! Listen Here Happy Birthway Podcast Peak into the NICU Click here to tune in! Listen Here Juna Women Podcast Life in the NICU Click here to tune in! Listen Here The WoMed Podcast Navigating the NICU Click here to tune in! Listen Here What Does a NICU Nurse Do? A Career Guide 49 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 Hot Tips for Nurses Starting in the NICU! 8,732 15 likes. Post not marked as liked 15 55 New Grad Nurse Tips! 3,610 17 likes. Post not marked as liked 17 How to Land Your Dream Job as a NICU Nurse: 14 Hot Tips 10,645 22 likes. Post not marked as liked 22 NICU Resources and CEUs Every Nurse Needs to Know About 9,534 25 likes. Post not marked as liked 25 12 NURSE INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS! 7,370 24 likes. Post not marked as liked 24 NICU Nurse 101...What is the NICU REALLY LIKE? 7,393 21 likes. Post not marked as liked 21 NICU Nurse Continuing Education 606 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 Baby Basics Blog 254 9 likes. Post not marked as liked 9 NICU Research Ideas & Topics to Consider 8,192 12 likes. Post not marked as liked 12 Best NICU Nurse Apps!! 1,156 9 likes. Post not marked as liked 9 NICU HOLY GRAIL OF PODCAST EPISODES 1,130 7 likes. Post not marked as liked 7 11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A NICU Nurse 3,010 13 likes. Post not marked as liked 13 11 Night Shift Nurse Survival Tips 7,681 15 likes. Post not marked as liked 15 Nurse Portfolio 101 1,399 9 likes. Post not marked as liked 9 Top Female Medical Bloggers & Innovators 1,052 9 likes. Post not marked as liked 9 51 NURSE JOBS TO CONSIDER! 3,992 13 likes. Post not marked as liked 13 20 Things to Know About Nursing in 2021 563 13 likes. Post not marked as liked 13 1 2 Tori Meskin has been a dedicated clinician since 2012, working in acute care and inpatient NICU settings in Southern California. She holds a National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) and has extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is a sponsored MSN student at Capella University and a Brave Beginnings Ambassador. She recently launched NICUity, a company dedicated to empowering NICU professionals with education, bedside tools, and resources. Follow her journey as she navigates the NICU world, married life, and new motherhood, all while juggling work, school, and content creation. Discover her top-notch tips and tricks at www.tipsfromtori.com or contact her at tipsfromtorimanagement@gmail.com .

Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC 01 About Me I started working as a Registered Nurse in 2013. I now have over 10 years of neonatal and pediatric critical care experience. Over the years, I’ve learned valuable lessons and formed meaningful connections with coworkers, patients, and their families that will affect the rest of my life! I share many of these insights with you here :) 03 Experience I have served as a specialty NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN serving patients in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. In these positions, I’ve provided direct patient care, leadership, consultation, education and patient care management expertise for the complex neonatal & pediatric patient populations. In each position, I’ve focused on mentoring fellow NICU RNs in my unit and those around the globe. My diversified clinical experiences have helped make me the nurse I am today! 02 Education I graduated from The University of Arizona (beardown) with a dual major in Nursing and Psychology. Currently, I am working towards my Master’s Degree in Nursing Leadership. 04 Experience I am trained to work in specialized areas, including Small Baby Units, and Surgical NICUs (treating cardiothoracic, gastrointestinal, neurosurgical, and congenital anomalies). I’ve also worked as part of a clinical Body Cooling Team, protecting tiny babies and helping them recover after a difficult birth. More about Tori we love the juice 05 NICUity Cofounder In 2024, I launched my own company –NICUity. I created this company with a goal of empowering NICU professionals through comprehensive support, education, and innovation, while fostering confidence and competence for delivering exceptional care to NICU patients and their families. Check out our website , which is chock full of NICU provider tools, education, and resources! 07 Podcast In March 2020, I founded The Cellfie Show , a podcast dedicated to sharing stories from all angles of healthcare. On our show, we interview health professionals, entrepreneurs, innovative businesses, homeopathic practitioners, addiction specialists, therapists & coaches, social media personalities, mental health specialists, patient and family perspectives, and people of interest, learning from their journeys in life and on the job. 06 Social Media I began blogging in 2018 and became an ambassador for Brave Beginnings a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure ventilators and essential neonatal equipment are available to newborns in critical need. I was featured on their 2019 PSA with John Cena to help bring awareness to their mission. 08 Keynote Speaker I began keynote speaking in 2022 and have had the honor of presenting at NANN, the Audrey Harries Foundation of Neonal Nurses, and contributing on panels at NeoHeart. Nurse Blog There are few places to find support, information or insight into the real nursing world. Most blogs out there aren’t able to show a comprehensive picture of what it’s like for us at work and off the job! With Tips From Tori, I wanted to bring you a bit of nursing advice & real life fun as well. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. take me there LATEST ON THE BLOG Nurse Tori ALL BLOGS What Does a NICU Nurse Do? A Career Guide What exactly is NICU nursing? Here, we provide an overview of the position, key job duties, & provide tips on how to become a NICU nurse. 49 3 likes. Post not marked as liked 3 - EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT Hot Tips for Nurses Starting in the NICU! Whether you have landed your job in the NICU, are a new grad or an experienced nurse, thinking about applying to nursing school, in the 8,732 15 likes. Post not marked as liked 15 - EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT 55 New Grad Nurse Tips! So, you are a new NICU Nurse! Congrats & welcome the “The Real” Nursing NICU World. Bedside Nursing can be different! Here are a few tips! 3,610 17 likes. Post not marked as liked 17 - EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT How to Land Your Dream Job as a NICU Nurse: 14 Hot Tips Want to become a NICU nurse but having a tough time navigating the job market? These 14 tips can help you kickstart a successful career. 10,645 22 likes. Post not marked as liked 22 - EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT NICU Resources and CEUs Every Nurse Needs to Know About Finding trustworthy educational materials can be tough for NICU professionals. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top resources and courses. 9,534 25 likes. Post not marked as liked 25 - EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT 12 NURSE INTERVIEW TIPS & TRICKS! After spending much time applying for jobs I have certainly had my fill of Nurse Interviews. Here are some Interview Tips and Tricks! 7,370 24 likes. Post not marked as liked 24 Nurse Tori EXCLUSIVE NURSE CONTENT NICU Nurse 101...What is the NICU REALLY LIKE? We take care of the tiniest, and often, sickest humans in the hospital. It is important to understand that premature infants are not only... 7,393 21 likes. Post not marked as liked 21 Nurse Tori ALL BLOGS Chic Moody Bathroom Upgrade DIY Moody Bathroom Makeover 105 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 - ALL BLOGS NICU Nurse Continuing Education If you are a nurse, nursing student, nursing assistant or tech, respiratory therapist, pre-hospital provider or physician, then you NEED to 606 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 get the tips I accept terms & conditions LET'S DO THIS Thanks for joining the squad! Tori Meskin has been a dedicated clinician since 2012, working in acute care and inpatient NICU settings in Southern California. She holds a National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) and has extensive experience as a travel NICU nurse. Tori is a sponsored MSN student at Capella University and a Brave Beginnings Ambassador. She recently launched NICUity, a company dedicated to empowering NICU professionals with education, bedside tools, and resources. Follow her journey as she navigates the NICU world, married life, and new motherhood, all while juggling work, school, and content creation. Discover her top-notch tips and tricks at www.tipsfromtori.com or contact her at tipsfromtorimanagement@gmail.com .

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