Career Path Questions

[fljewel]

I am currently in level 2 of my ADN program so I still have a year to go, I plan on working (hopefully in NICU) along with going straight into the RN-BSN program when I graduate. My dream is to work with the NICU babies.

Obviously I have to gain much more experience so this may be a premature question, but what are the career/education paths beyond the BSN in relation to NICU?

I know there is NP, and do they work hands on with the babies?

Thanks!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

NP's work in the unit and function like a resident/fellow doc. There are also educators, Clinical nurse specialists, but they don't work at the bedside.

[babyNP., APRN]

I am a NNP and yes, we do have hands on care with the babies. My caseload is 7-9 patients and I do physical exams on all the children in the morning (and as needed throughout the day if the RN has concerns). I also do procedures, like umbilical lines, intubation, lumbar punctures, etc etc. It's not as hands-on as a RN, of course, but I still find some time to cuddle the little ones as I am able :) I do miss feeding them.