[EDnurse2009]

Hello. I am very interested in becoming a PICU nurse after I graduate from my ADN program. I was just wondering if I still have a good chance of getting a PICU job if I do not have a BSN degree? Do many of you have your BSN? Any info would help.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

[janfrn]

I've been a PICU nurse for 10 years without a BSN. I'd say that at least 40% of my coworkers are also sans BSN.

[FrootLoop]

You may want to check with the particular hospitals you are interested in applying to. The hospital I work at will not hire ADN new grads into ICU positions unless they were employed by the hospital previously (i.e., if you were a CNA in the ICU, graduate from your ADN, then your unit decides to hire you). However, if you have a BSN you can apply directly to the ICU right out of school. I believe the PICU I'm interviewing with will only hire new grads if they have BSN and did some sort of internship/capstone with a PICU or peds floor (though I'm not positive as I'm not a new grad.)

However, once you have experience in our hospital, you can work in the ICUs regardless of if you are ADN or BSN, and I can tell you we have quite the mix in all of our ICUs.

[kessadawn]

I think it does depend on the hospital. Our PICU hires BSNs and ADNs, and to tell you the truth other that a few coworkers I am close to, I don't know who has what degree.

[WarEagle4Life]

We have both in our unit. We hire ADNs and BSNs as new grads. One of our ANMs is an ADN. Unless it comes up, we really don't know who has what.

[Kimbalou]

I work in the NICU and PICU and have an ADN. I think it is wise to get some peds experience on a peds floor first before going to PICU.