Adn or BSN to be a NICU nurse?

Mithrah · Jun 7, 2004

I will begin working in the NICU later this month and I have an ADN. I think that with the shortage of nurses willing to work, that they are willing to hire anyone with an RN license. Besides, there are a lot more ADNs than BSNs out there.

rainbows4me · Jun 7, 2004

I'm also an ADN (although I have a bachelor's in another field) who has been hired as a new grad to start in NICU. I know of many others at my hopsital who are ADNs.

The hospital I want to work at, Children's Hospital St.Louis MO., requires you to have a BSN before you can work in PICU, or NICU, I was wondering what are the educational requirements for those of you that are nurses in the NICU. Do you have to have a ADN or BSN?

Trauma Columnist · Jun 7, 2004

Here in the midwest - I'm beginning to notice a change in hospital management that are now requiring a BSN in order to do some of the specialized units.

prmenrs, RN · Jun 7, 2004

I think if they are able to fill all their "slots" w/BSNs, more likely @ University teaching type hospitals, they will try to do that. If they can't the hospital will be more likely to take ADNs.

RN34TX · Jun 7, 2004

I think if they are able to fill all their "slots" w/BSNs, more likely @ University teaching type hospitals, they will try to do that. If they can't the hospital will be more likely to take ADNs.

I work in a large University teaching hospital that cranks out many BSN's every year. I was offered NICU as a new grad ADN and that was not very long ago. I wonder if that hospital is trying to fill it's Med/Surg and other floor positions by locking out ADN's to the specialized units.

You know how new grads get star struck over ER, ICU, NICU etc. and that's where a lot of them want to go.

I thought that the nursing shortage was severe everywhere but I've heard that the midwest was not quite as bad and that's why North Dakota got away with their BSN only rule for as long as it did.

But even they had to give up that dream. (As if nurses are busting down doors desparately trying to get jobs in North Dakota!!)

RN2CNM · Jun 13, 2004

I think if they are able to fill all their "slots" w/BSNs, more likely @ University teaching type hospitals, they will try to do that. If they can't the hospital will be more likely to take ADNs.

I am a ADN RN and work in the NICU at University Hospital and I had no problem getting hired with my ADN. There were about 10 of us new grads that got hired about a year and a half ago to be a part of a nurse internship in the NICU and 6 out of the 10 of us were ADN RNs. I have noticed that more of the private hospitals here are posting on job lists that they will accept ADN, but prefer BSN. The University Hospital here doesn't make a big fuss over it. I think they just want a good nurse.:)

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 13, 2004

There are many BSN's in this area due to several BSN programs within 50 miles of here. As an ADN I've never had trouble getting whatever job I wanted here in this area. Even when I wanted an NICU position with no experience in that area. We hire new grads every 6 months when they graduate; either BSN or ADN. I've spoken with nurses at several other level III's in the area and seems to be the same story.

RN2CNM · Jun 13, 2004

There are many BSN's in this area due to several BSN programs within 50 miles of here. As an ADN I've never had trouble getting whatever job I wanted here in this area. Even when I wanted an NICU position with no experience in that area. We hire new grads every 6 months when they graduate; either BSN or ADN. I've spoken with nurses at several other level III's in the area and seems to be the same story.

It is the same way here in the San Antonio area. Like I said I work at the University Hospital and they put out a lot of BSN RNs but there isn't really a notable difference in job hiring if you ask me. I love working in the NICU but I am trying to find a job in L&D as I am on my way to becoming a Certified nurse midwife and need the L&D experience, but I have had trouble finding a job in L&D because everyone says that they want experience but my reply to them is how or where do I get that experience. It is not so much that they want a BSN but they just want previous L&D experience.

Ari RN, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2004

Interesting Topic:

I also want to work in the NICU. I graduated with my ADN degree but thought that someone needed experience to enter the NICU. I just applied to a position here in the NYC area. I hope I get it. Thanks you guys!

:lol2:

natasha700 · Jul 3, 2004

Interesting Topic:

I also want to work in the NICU. I graduated with my ADN degree but thought that someone needed experience to enter the NICU. I just applied to a position here in the NYC area. I hope I get it. Thanks you guys!

I know in California that is not a requirement at all. What does a BSN have to do with NICU? ADN nurses are just as capable. Both nurses work hand and hand bringing much knowledge to the area. BSN is a choice for that nurse doesn't take anything away from him/her practice in NICU. It is a great stepping stone but not a MUST to do!

natasha700 · Jul 3, 2004

Interesting Topic:

I also want to work in the NICU. I graduated with my ADN degree but thought that someone needed experience to enter the NICU. I just applied to a position here in the NYC area. I hope I get it. Thanks you guys!

I know in California that is not a requirement at all. What does a BSN have to do with NICU? ADN nurses are just as capable. Both nurses work hand and hand bringing much knowledge to the area. BSN is a choice for that nurse doesn't take anything away from him/her practice in NICU. It is a great stepping stone but not a MUST to do!