Can you have an associates degree and work in the Nicu?

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Or does it have to be a Bachelors? I am really not interesting in any other field of nursing besides the Nicu. (L&D is also an option but my ultimate goal is to working in the Nicu). I am going to be going to a 2 year community college First and get my associates degree then go to a different college and finish my other two years. I wanted to start working as a nurse after I get my Associates degree and pass the NCLEX (while getting my bachelors in the process) but all i want is to work in the Nicu (Or L&D) is this possible?

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Specializes in NICU.

My NICU 'prefers' to hire BSN's, but we have hired ADN's recently.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Depending on the hospital, yes, you can do it with an ADN. A lot of hospitals in our area are no longer hiring anyone without a BSN anymore, though, on any unit.

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Specializes in Retired NICU.

Lots of our nurses are ADN's, some have BS not BSN's; we do have BSN's and some with master's; but not required.

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We prefer BSNs and it is especially beneficial if you plan on applying to one of the specialty teams within the NICU like transport or ECMO. It's the same for the Respiratory Therapists so the RNs aren't alone in the preferred education requirements.

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