Exploring other jobs after 6 months

[HeartNursing3]

I'm a new grad. I graduated December 2012. I passed NCLEX January 2013. I was lucky and got a job at the hospital I wanted (large academic medical center). I plan on staying here for a long time (plus they pay 100% of tuition - I want my MSN).

I got onto a great unit (started late February 2013). It's an adult med/surg unit with some very sick patients. Most nurses say we have the sickest patients of any med/surg unit here. I'm learning A TON and the learning opportunities are endless. The staff are super supportive at all times. Teamwork is great. Management is wonderful.

However, I don't want to work with adults. I want to work in the NICU and eventually be a NNP. We have a NICU here and they have several openings. I'm not sure when I should apply.

(1) Now! Because it's where I want to be and why wait? I have 6 months experience as a RN.

(2) Late February 2014 once I have 1 year experience

(3) May 2014 once I have my BSN (currently halfway through)

I thought about e-mailing the nurse manager to inquire and see if I would be a candidate but I'm worried I'll be told no or not get the job and word will get back to my current manager.

Not that this is relevant to NICU, but I do have BLS/ACLS.

Any words of wisdom on what to do would be most appreciated.

[sunmaidliz]

If NICU would love to have you and you know you can get the job no problem, why wait? It's not like you are quitting entirely and are going out there in the world with only a measly 6 months. I have just 6 months and I am in that new grad black hole - too experience for new grad programs, not experienced enough. It's STILL tough to find a job. A lot of the commenters say wait out the year and I agree with them. But if you can get a job in the NICU at your current hospital, go for it. Don't quit your current job until you have a new one, though. That's good advice in general. It's ok not to like a certain specialty and wanting another. Every nurse needs to find her niche.