[RN2B73]

I am a pre-nursing student currently on a waitlist and an allnurses junky I have always thought I would enjoy L&D or maybe even ER, something fast paced but the more I read on allnurses about NICU, the more interested I am becoming. I was just wondering if there are any NICU nurses out there who have worked in other specialties and what your opinions are in regards to their comparison? I'm sure as I do my rotations I will start to form a better idea of what intersts me but I thought it would be nice to hear from some of you.

Thanks,

[nurserynurse55]

Well NICU is fast too. We see lots of births, codes and various other emergenies. Good luck!~

[WDWpixieRN]

One thing I would suggest, and which I recently did, is contact local NICU hospitals to see if they offer "shadow" experiences.

We don't do a L & D or any kind of nursery clinical rotations during our nursing school experience.

I had always felt like my interests were either ER or NICU. I was fortunate enough to obtain an ER internship last summer, and soon realized that that wasn't really what I wanted to do. During winter break, I was fortunate enough to be able to do a shadow in a local NICU and fell in love!! The nurses were wonderful, friendly, and encouraging, and it was definately an environment I could see myself working in.

I would strongly suggest attempting to do a shadow in any area you are interested in. In addition to getting a feel for what the job entails, I think you also get an idea of the work environment and what kind of reception a new grad will have if hired.

Best wishes!!!

[RN2B73]

Originally Posted by WDWpixie

One thing I would suggest, and which I recently did, is contact local NICU hospitals to see if they offer "shadow" experiences.

We don't do a L & D or any kind of nursery clinical rotations during our nursing school experience.

I had always felt like my interests were either ER or NICU. I was fortunate enough to obtain an ER internship last summer, and soon realized that that wasn't really what I wanted to do. During winter break, I was fortunate enough to be able to do a shadow in a local NICU and fell in love!! The nurses were wonderful, friendly, and encouraging, and it was definately an environment I could see myself working in.

I would strongly suggest attempting to do a shadow in any area you are interested in. In addition to getting a feel for what the job entails, I think you also get an idea of the work environment and what kind of reception a new grad will have if hired.

Best wishes!!!

Thanks, at what point would you suggest that I do this?

[WDWpixieRN]

Originally Posted by RN2B73

Thanks, at what point would you suggest that I do this?

I honestly couldn't tell you for sure, but definately before you start applying for jobs, lol!!

I'm nearing the end of my 4th semester, so the timing was good for me and allowed me do some contrast and comparison of what I have seen thus far during school.

You can call the hospitals -- recruiters or HR -- and they'll tell if and when you can do a shadow. It varies per facility. One I called -- a sister hospital to a facility that I am employed by -- would NOT allow a shadow at all due to HIPPAA regs.

That'll be your best guide!!

Take care!!