Additonal certifications for Level III NICU Nurse

[IwannabeaRNAZ]

I am currently a pre nursing student but I would like to be a NICU nurse and work in a Level III NICU. I have heard there are additional certifications that you need to get before you can work with preemies 28 weeks and below and I was wondering if anyone had any insight to offer me on this. What certifications do you need? What how much experience do you need in order in the field to work with micro preemies, etc?? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

[preemieRNkate, RN]

You don't need any special certifications to work in any level NICU. You need a nursing degree from an accredited nursing program to start. From what I have seen in this forum, many hospitals will hire new grads into the NICU. Once hired, a good orientation is what you will need to start, and then after some experience you can sit for exams to get your certification in NICU nursing (CCRN or RNC, there are related threads about obtaining these certifications and the differences between them). They are not required, but many hospitals will pay you extra for having them. Read through some of the threads in this forum, there have been some recent threads about getting into NICU. Good luck!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Agree with Kate. In addition to the specialty certifications like RNC and CCRN, most employers will eventually require you to take one or two full-day classes that deal with stabilization of newborns.

NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation) and STABLE are probably the two most common of these courses. Even with NRP and STABLE, many educators feel like new grads should begin working on the unit for a while before taking them, so that they have some understanding of patient assessment and management before beginning those courses.