[NurseBunky]

Originally Posted by future nicu nurse

I'm very happy to learn that I could actually work in the NICU right after I graduate. I was a little worried. I was told I need to do one year of med surg. But I know NICU is where I want to be.

I was told the same thing by both my nursing professors and my mom (who has been a NICU nurse for 21 years). Luckily I decided to work on a medsurg in an all pediatric facility. I think they tell you that so that you can hone your assessment skills and time management skills before you decide to become too specialized!

[aviator411]

Originally Posted by NurseBunky

I was told the same thing by both my nursing professors and my mom (who has been a NICU nurse for 21 years). Luckily I decided to work on a medsurg in an all pediatric facility. I think they tell you that so that you can hone your assessment skills and time management skills before you decide to become too specialized!

NB, et al,

You certainly can't do any harm working peds med-surg for a year or two. Assessments in NICU are so very different, however, that one could easily argue against the relevance of such experience in other contexts. To be sure, if you spend a career in NICU you will find it difficult at best to do other nursing work late in your career. My wife has been in NICU for at least 38 years. She wouldn't consider anything else at this point in her career and would have great difficulty adapting to other environments, just as others would have great difficulty adapting to hers at the same point in their careers.

The appeal of nursing is that you have almost unlimited options these days. Do what works for you and don't lose sleep over what others are doing.

Best of luck!

[zoobyli]

Such a good point. It doesn't look like NICU will be my first RN job, but Iknow I'll get there eventually. I look at it as a good way to gain experience in time management, something every nurse needs to get down no matter where they work. Also learning to trust that little voice inside that lets you know something isn't quite right with your patient despite all outward signs to the contrary.