Need Advice on NICU Nursing....I will have my RN in December.

Specialties NICU

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I am a nursing student and I will be graduating in December. I am very interested in working with babies and maybe doing some work with older kids also. I am looking into different Childrens Hospitals in Florida because I know the best way to get in is to find a hospital to put you through training. I haven't been able to find too many that are just dedicated to children and I have a feeling that a regular hospital that has a childrens department but is not fully dedicated to children might not have a training program. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of getting into a neonatal position? Is it best to start off in Med-Surg or would it be ok to go straight into children? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really looking forward to getting started with my nursing career and making a difference.

Thanks......:)

Specializes in NICU.

Oh, also, you might want to check about getting your NRP certification if you can. Having it already looks nice when you apply, and again, shows that you're serious. :)

How would I get my NRP? Would a hospital let me take that class?

Oh, also, you might want to check about getting your NRP certification if you can. Having it already looks nice when you apply, and again, shows that you're serious. :)
Specializes in NICU.

Well, let's see...does anyone here know if she needs to be an RN to take the NRP class? (I'm afraid I don't know for *sure*!)

If you are able to take it (I hope!), you could contact the American Heart Association in your area to ask if they have a list of providers/classes that might be near you. That would be the first place I looked. Otherwise, yes, you could absolutely call some hospitals (those with larger NICU's would be more likely to hold classes, IMO). The AHA should be able to help, though- they keep a list of providers who are certified. That would be where I started. :)

Well I've called around to as many children's hospital's I could fnd. Some of the classes are the week my school starts up again so I won't be able to attend those. Other people said I would have to already be working in a NICU unit. Then I found a few that said I could take it since I'm an EMT but it cost $150 and a nurse educator that I talked to at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital told me that it doesn't really make a difference and when you actually start with the hospital it will be free. So I'm not sure if its worth paying that much money if it won't make a difference anyway.

I got a good lead at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital though. They seem to have a good internship program and you only have to sign a 1 year contract. It includes 1 week regular orientation, 1 week nursing orientation, 2 weeks NICU specific classes and 14-16 week 1 on 1 preceptership. You have to start off working nights. It doesn't sound like a bad opportunity at all so I'm going to check it out even further. I've also sent letters out today to the Directors of NICU at the hospitals that I'm interested in so hopefully something good will happen with all this work I'm doing trying to find a hospital.

Thanks so much for all your help......It has helped me so much!

:)

How would I get my NRP? Would a hospital let me take that class?

Hi, I live in NJ and here it isn't a problem to take the NRP course without being an RN. I just started nursing school and I'm scheduled to take the NRP in September. Just call around to the hospitals that have NICUs and ask for the nurse educator and see if they are having any classes. Also Gompers gave me some wonderful advice about the S.T.A.B.L.E. program. This is a wonderful course for anyone working in NICU. They have a website http://www.StableProgram.org and if they don't have any classes in your area (as was my case) click on the list of instructors in your state and call the ones near you to see if they are having any classes in their hospital. It took me a few weeks, but I finally found a hospital near me and they are having a class on July 8th, which will be their last one for this year! Most hospitals will charge you a fee if you are not an employee of their hospital, but it is well worth the investment. Good Luck :)

Specializes in NICU.
Also Gompers gave me some wonderful advice about the S.T.A.B.L.E. program. This is a wonderful course for anyone working in NICU. They have a website http://www.StableProgram.org and if they don't have any classes in your area (as was my case) click on the list of instructors in your state and call the ones near you to see if they are having any classes in their hospital. It took me a few weeks, but I finally found a hospital near me and they are having a class on July 8th, which will be their last one for this year! Most hospitals will charge you a fee if you are not an employee of their hospital, but it is well worth the investment. Good Luck :)

I'm glad you were able to work something out!!! :)

I am a new grad almost finishing NICU orientation. I agree that caring for adults if you want to work in a NICU really doesn't help experience wise, except in small things like time management. I work in a 50 bed NICU and I love it. I work at a huge children's hospital in PA. My advice would be to look for a hospital that is going to give you a great orientation. Mine is 12 wks and I have received so much education and support from the rest of the staff, inculding nurses and physicians. Orientation really makes a big difference so when you interview definately ask!!

Ally

I am a nursing student and I will be graduating in December. I am very interested in working with babies and maybe doing some work with older kids also. I am looking into different Childrens Hospitals in Florida because I know the best way to get in is to find a hospital to put you through training. I haven't been able to find too many that are just dedicated to children and I have a feeling that a regular hospital that has a childrens department but is not fully dedicated to children might not have a training program. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of getting into a neonatal position? Is it best to start off in Med-Surg or would it be ok to go straight into children? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really looking forward to getting started with my nursing career and making a difference.

Thanks......:)

I'm a new grad (boards this wednesday!?!) and will be starting in the NICU this August. As much as I'm very excited about where I'm going, I'm also nervous. I'm glad to hear that you (and others on this board) have been happy going to NICU as a new grad. If you (or anyone else) has any pearls of wisdom to share, I'm listening intently!

Rainbows:balloons:

I am a new grad almost finishing NICU orientation. I agree that caring for adults if you want to work in a NICU really doesn't help experience wise, except in small things like time management. I work in a 50 bed NICU and I love it. I work at a huge children's hospital in PA. My advice would be to look for a hospital that is going to give you a great orientation. Mine is 12 wks and I have received so much education and support from the rest of the staff, inculding nurses and physicians. Orientation really makes a big difference so when you interview definately ask!!

Ally

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