Adult NP would like to switch to babies.

NICU_babyRN, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2011

Obviously if you are an adult NP and you want to be a Neo NP you'll have to at least do a post master's certificate to complete the Neo part of any NP program in addition to clinical. I would recommend applying to a neo RN job. Your experience will come in somewhat handy but of course there will be a steep learning curb. If Neo is really your passion, I say go for it!!

Apply for Neo RN program, apply for Post Maters Neo NP program (I know Rush University has online program) and go from there!

babyNP., APRN · Jul 19, 2011

Just want to tell you that you will with almost certainty be treated similar to a new grad because your past experience (if you've really never touched babies) means pretty much nothing except in the basic patterns of nursing skills (like NG and IV placements--although slightly different in neonates) and some basic physiology (although even neonatal physiology can be vastly different from adults, like cardiac stuff). You could probably knock a week or two off of orientation, but probably not much more than that.

You need at least 2 years of clinical experience in NICU (level 3) to become board certified and it's becoming more and more common for employers to require certification for practice--most if not all graduate programs require the 2 years experience anyway.

I would write about your desire to go to the NICU even though you've got your ANP in your cover letter to let them know you really want it. It could still be pretty tough in today's economy getting a job in the NICU since you have no experience, but you never know unless you apply!

Good luck! Let us know how the venture goes!

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Jul 19, 2011

If you are an FNP you can get hired into newborn nursery where I work, but if you want Neonatal you have to have the Neonatal cert. I think this is how most places are. You could hire in as a staff RN for your experience, but probably not as a practitioner.

prmenrs, RN · Jul 19, 2011

I think you would go back to new grad staff nurse--kind of tough road, imo. I went from an adult ICU to NICU and was pretty lost for a good 6 months!

All your technical skills are just different enough to be a real challenge, and much of the underlying science is just plain DIFFERENT! Babies have a whole different repertoire of physiological responses to illness and therapies.

If you really want to do this, get textbooks (search Merenstein and gardner @ amazon and a current NeoFax) if you can, start getting familiar w/the literature/professional associations (NANN and ANN).

I do wish you the best no matter what you decide!

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 25, 2011

Hi! Resident NNP here :)

Just wanted to wish you well in your new endeavor!

As others have said, it'll be like being a new grad all over again, except you probably have your time management and critical thinking down by now. Right now the NCC requires 2 years of level III NICU experience before you can graduate from a NNP program. You can do some of these years while in grad school as well. I think that's changing soon to NO experience requirement, which is a stupid idea, if you ask me.

Anyway, I would encourage you to take a full year to learn the ins and outs of NICU before starting a post-masters NNP program.

Best of luck!

Stephen

puttinontheritz · Jul 25, 2011

I know, it will be the newbie deal all over again.I can't seem to even get a job interview, though. I feel a little silly, maybe I'm in a mid-life crisis, but I'm just feeling like I need to move on from adults and enjoy the babies. I love those little miracles.

obprof · Aug 1, 2011

I am also interested in working in the NICU (I am a Women's Health NP who teaches OB) but haven't been able to get in because of fierce competition. However, I may be offered the chance to work EITHER in L&D OR postpartum/well newborn. The nurse managers asked which I prefer and I said postpartum/well newborn thinking it would be more likely to get into NICU later.

WHAT DO YOU NICU NURSES THINK?? Does that sound like a good move??? There are also positions on CVICU but I can't get interviewed there without experience.

puttinontheritz · Aug 2, 2011

I think you would go back to new grad staff nurse--kind of tough road, imo. I went from an adult ICU to NICU and was pretty lost for a good 6 months!
All your technical skills are just different enough to be a real challenge, and much of the underlying science is just plain DIFFERENT! Babies have a whole different repertoire of physiological responses to illness and therapies.
If you really want to do this, get textbooks (search Merenstein and gardner @ amazon and a current NeoFax) if you can, start getting familiar w/the literature/professional associations (NANN and ANN).
I do wish you the best no matter what you decide!

I guess I can load these texts on my Kindle?

puttinontheritz · Aug 2, 2011

I am also interested in working in the NICU (I am a Women's Health NP who teaches OB) but haven't been able to get in because of fierce competition. However, I may be offered the chance to work EITHER in L&D OR postpartum/well newborn. The nurse managers asked which I prefer and I said postpartum/well newborn thinking it would be more likely to get into NICU later.
WHAT DO YOU NICU NURSES THINK?? Does that sound like a good move??? There are also positions on CVICU but I can't get interviewed there without experience.

Will the competition ever ease up? I am even willing to move where the opportunities are. It just seems like the cards are stacked against me.

obprof · Aug 2, 2011

I wish you the best in your NICU job search! It's great you can relocate! I really can't. I know some new grads who have found externships for NICU. Have you thought about that? :idea:

gapeach427 · Aug 5, 2011

Well, I did the reverse...I'm a NICU nurse and just completed ANP program. Now, I'm thinking I want to go back for NNP, especially since the job market for ANPs (new grads, specifically) is horrible.

If you're interested in NNP, you'll need at least 2 years of NICU experience to take boards for NNP (and most likely to get accepted into NNP program).

You can job shadow a NICU nurse to see if that's for you before you accept a RN position or even apply.