Cardiac RN to NICU (level 2 - 3) RN

Published

Specializes in Cardiac.

Hello everyone!!

I am currently a cardiac pcu nurse that occasionally floats to the ICU. I have been a cardiac nurse for 3 years now and I think I'm ready for a change. I have wanted to be a nicu nurse or peds nurse since I picked nursing as my career back in high-school. I know nicu is a whole different animal and I'm terrified in that sense, but I suppose who isn't when they start a new job especially a new specialty! I am also excited to start a new journey and a new challenge.

I am looking for advice and kind of wanting to know what to expect... especially going from cardiac pcu/ICU to nicu level 2-3....

Another concern I have is starting a new specialty during covid. I'm afraid I won't get the proper training and time that I deserve due to the craziness of the pandemic (I've seen that happen to new hires at my current job) 

Thank you so much for your time and helping me!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular and NICU.

I made the transition from adult cardiac to a level 3 NICU last year. Best decision I made. Although it is very different I found that all those skills I learned in cardiac definitely transferred over and the cardiac knowledge helped me understand and grasp all the congenital heart issues a little easier. I transferred right when Covid hit last year in April and still had a thorough orientation of 12 weeks. It will take time to learn this new specialty so be patient and just be open to learning all you can and to feeling like a new grad again. Your facility should put you through STABLE as part of orientation which will help to learn some basics. I also recommend picking up Merenstein and Gardner's book to get a headstart on learning. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Thank you so much Melina! I went ahead and made the jump and applied! If I do get the job I will be terrified but very excited!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular and NICU.

If you are passionate about neonates and families you will love the NICU. I loved cardiac and am so glad I had that experience but NICU is my dream job! Let me know if you have any questions or just need support!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, I’m also a cardiac nurse with 2 years cardiac and 1 year neonatal nurse on an L&D unit (I recovered stable babies post delivery.) I want to make the switch to NICU but I’m not sure how to get my foot in the door. Did you apply for an internship or residency position? Or just an open position at a hospital? All of the openings I see want experience in NICU. 
 

thanks ? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Hilton, I just applied for an open position ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiovascular and NICU.

Same here, I just kept applying to open positions. They also said when they are considering new to service RNs for NICU they will prefer candidates that have any type of ICU experience or baby/pediatric experience. Your experience recovering stable babies in the L&D unit will definitely help you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
On 1/17/2021 at 9:24 PM, Melina Haas said:

If you are passionate about neonates and families you will love the NICU. I loved cardiac and am so glad I had that experience but NICU is my dream job! Let me know if you have any questions or just need support!

Hey Melina!! 

I got a call from the recruiter today and she will be talking to the hiring manager and call me back tomorrow if I get an interview!! Do you have any suggestions on questions I should ask during the interview? Thank you ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
On 1/17/2021 at 9:24 PM, Melina Haas said:

If you are passionate about neonates and families you will love the NICU. I loved cardiac and am so glad I had that experience but NICU is my dream job! Let me know if you have any questions or just need support!

Also... if I want to shadow before accepting the position should I ask that during the interview or If I'm offered the position. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just a quick update for anyone who reads this later. I also got a job in a level IV NICU! I’m still on orientation for 6 more weeks (12 total.) It really was the best decision I’ve ever made in my nursing career. If you’re thinking about making the switch but nervous about lack of NICU experience just apply anyways. You never know when someone might take a chance on you! 

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion