Needing advice - how to switch to hospital nursing

Specialties NICU

Published

Hey everyone,

First, thank you to anyone who is willing to read this and offer advice. I'm having a bit of a dilemma and I'm not sure the best path to take with resolving it. For starters, my ultimate goal is to some day work in the NICU, which is why I've chosen to post in this forum.

Here's the background info that may be helpful:

I graduated with my ADN in 2006 and worked very briefly as a nurse extern in med-surg at a large hospital. The experience was really rough to say the least, I felt very unprepared, and ultimately took a job working on a dementia unit in a LTC setting for about a year. I was offered a job at a varicose vein clinic and was there about 2 years. I loved the job, but left for reasons related to conflict in morals/ethics with the Dr that owned the clinic. I took a job as an RN case manager March 2010 and have been there since. I love my patients (though, they're actually called "members" since it's a community based program), however I'm bored and I can't see myself doing this forever.

When I originally thought of becoming an RN, I always pictured myself being in the NICU, but didn't pursue it after my rough hospital experience, because frankly, I was scared of the huge responsibility and lacking confidence that early on in my career.

Now that I have built up confidence after working in "the real world" for several years, I would like to pursue my goals. I know that (or at least think, based on some google searches) I would need to go back to school for my BSN. I also realize that being certified as a NICU nurse requires an additional exam and so many hours of working in an acute care setting.

My issue with getting started is this: it's been so long since I've had direct hands-on experience that 1. I don't know if any hospital would actually even call for an interview and 2. I'd like to have a refresher course if possible to brush up on my clinical skills.

I've checked into the refresher courses in the area, which appear to market towards people whose licenses have been inactive for awhile. All the courses seem like there isn't a lot of flexibility for people who need to work full time during the process.

I'm just so lost and feeling a bit discouraged. Any advice or ideas on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

~Melissa

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

You might have better responses if you post this in the NICU nurses forum. Good luck to you!

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Sorry, didn't see that one! I'll look for that now. I guess I should mention that the other reason I posted here is because I'm interested in starting my hospital career in L&D since I find this area of nursing very interesting and relevant to my ultimate NICU goals (and who knows, maybe I'd love L&D so much that I couldn't leave)! I hope that this isn't unrealistic given my lack of experience, because I'm willing to do whatever it takes, so long as I can keep my current full time position.

Edited to add...I just checked and I still don't see a NICU forum. I don't even see a "regular" ICU forum. I see one for PACU and Peds. Can you point me in the right direction, please and thanks? :)

Edited to add AGAIN...I found it. Didn't see the "critical" tab at the top. Thanks!

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Hey everyone,

First, thank you to anyone who is willing to read this and offer advice. I first posted this in the OB section as I didn't see the "critical" tab at the top. Thought it was odd that there wasn't a NICU forum. Oops. :)

Anyway, I'm having a bit of a dilemma and I'm not sure the best path to take with resolving it. My ultimate goal is to some day work in the NICU.

Here's the background info that may be helpful:

I graduated with my ADN in 2006 and worked very briefly as a nurse extern in med-surg at a large hospital. The experience was really rough to say the least, I felt very unprepared, and ultimately took a job working on a dementia unit in a LTC setting for about a year. I was offered a job at a varicose vein clinic and was there about 2 years. I loved the job, but left for reasons related to conflict in morals/ethics with the Dr that owned the clinic. I took a job as an RN case manager March 2010 and have been there since. I love my patients (though, they're actually called "members" since it's a community based program), however I'm bored and I can't see myself doing this forever.

When I originally thought of becoming an RN, I always pictured myself being in the NICU, but didn't pursue it after my rough hospital experience, because frankly, I was scared of the huge responsibility and lacking confidence that early on in my career.

Now that I have built up confidence after working in "the real world" for several years, I would like to pursue my goals. I know that (or at least think, based on some google searches) I would need to go back to school for my BSN. I also realize that being certified as a NICU nurse requires an additional exam and so many hours of working in an acute care setting.

My issue with getting started is this: it's been so long since I've had direct hands-on experience that 1. I don't know if any hospital would actually even call for an interview and 2. I'd like to have a refresher course if possible to brush up on my clinical skills.

I feel like starting in L&D would be helpful and relevant, but am I crazy to think this is even an option considering my lack of recent acute care experience?

I've checked into the refresher courses in the area, which appear to market towards people whose licenses have been inactive for awhile. All the courses seem like there isn't a lot of flexibility for people who need to work full time during the process.

I'm willing to do whatever it takes, so long as I can keep my current, full time position.

I'm just so lost and feeling a bit discouraged. Any advice or ideas on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

~Melissa

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Look under "critical" tab

IME, L&D isn't a really logical jumping off point to a career in NICU. They're two very disparate specialties.

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Yeah, I understand that NICU patients are considered critical. I guess I came to the conclusion of L&D as a starting point since it seems more relevant than say, an ortho floor. I guess a pediatric ICU would be more relevant, but again, I dont know if that's a realistic option with my recent lack of experience.

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L&D patients are often considered critical as well just as a side note. It's not an easy, happy place. It can be super stressful and scary.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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duplicate threads merged

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