best pathway to NICU?

[chanie911]

I've always talked about working in a NICU "someday" (before actually going through nursing school, I was freaked out by the acuity level....now not as much). I've just finished my Associate for the RN (waiting to take NCLEX hopefully by the end of next month or sooner if my ATT comes through). I have my LPN meanwhile...and I was supposed to be starting a BSN but my cohort got postponed until Sept. Most of my employment experience has been in my previous career as a geriatric social worker, or babysitting kids with medical special needs.

Now that I'm looking for jobs, though....trying to figure out what the best "progression" to a NICU job would be....look to start immediately in peds? Adult med/surg (and/or adult critical care)? I found myself surprised by how much I loved my adult ICU rotation in school (they didn't let students into the NICU sadly....I kept asking!)....Is having critical care experience or just general peds experience "more important" when looking ahead towards wanting to be in a NICU job within the next 5 years. (I know I need some kind of experience first....I wouldn't be marketable right now).

Thanks!

[cph1993]

I'm looking to do the same thing when I get out of school also. Granted I dont even start nursing school until August so my plan may change. But I work as a unit secretary in a NICU right now and it's unfortunate that they didn't let you into the NICU as a student. There are multiple nursing programs who come to the facility where I work to do clinicals and there have been students from each school in the unit at one point or another.

[jennylee321]

I would say paeds over adult ICU. You'll get experience with babies that will be valuable. Remember that when starting in the NICU you'll probably have stable babes, so your paeds experience would benefit you over adult ICU knowledge.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Look into Special Care Nursery positions. They are stable babies with some issues. That is the best transition to the sicker babies (Level III/ IV NICU).

[zeus&lincoln]

From my experience many NICUs, even level 3 or 4 are more than willing to train new graduates into this speciality. So, if you desire to be in the NICU, find a nurse residency program and apply. It can and does happen... All the time!

[NicuRN628]

I am a new graduate and was into a level 3 NICU. Apply to as many NICU positions as possible if that is where you want to be. The more you apply to the more opportunity you have to land an interview and potentially even a job! I emailed the nurse manager in the NICU I wanted to work at and from this got an interview. It is possible to get a NICU position as a new grad!