Critical care right out of school? Please advise...

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Hi,

I am an RN student and am going to graduate in December. I have been precepting in unit support and got the opportunity to work in the NICU for 4 straight days. The last time I was there I was approached about applying for the NICU. It was intimated that there was a job if I wanted it. The NICU is a level 2, I believe and I would not be caring for critical patients initially. I have been told that they would orient me for 3 months on premature infants that need are not critical and then move on from there. Before this experience I had thought about working on the medical floor until I could get into the ER. Now I am very interested in this opportunity but wonder if I might be getting in over my head. I'm doing pretty well in school and get good reviews from patients, instructors, and clinical advisors. Any advice would be appeciated.

Thanks,

Mike SN

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

If the offer is there and you like the work, go for it!!!!!

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Obviously you like the fast paced, very intense area ( ER ), so if working with little ones is you thing NICU would be great. They also must see something in you if they are offering this to you as well. CONGRATS:D

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

True....if you feel like this is something you enjoy...then you should go for it. The learning will happen with each day....just a FYI, as a guy, you may be viewed differently by families right away, but it takes time to get through that...to show everyone that you can be just as a effective nurse.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Just be careful, Level II infants can turn on you QUICK. So be very, very aware of your limitations (assessments) and ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask questions.

I've had "ready to go home preemies" go suddenly septic.

And study, study, study, study, study the newborn.....

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Specializes in er, pediatric er.

I did the Pediatric Nurse Residency Program @ Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, which is a program where new grads float through the hospital and get a feel for what unit the nurse wants to work in. you have 4-5 months of orientation. it was a great program. I think if the NICU gives enough orientation to you, as a new grad, i say go for it! I went to Pediatric Emergency straight out of school. it was one of the best experiences of my career. The NICU was my second choice when i was going through the residency program. A lot of people say you need to start in med-surg as a new grad, however I have never prescribed to that line of thought, I think if you enjoy pediatrics and the unit will provide enough orientation, and yours seems to, go for it!

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Specializes in ..

They wouldn't have offered it to you if they didn't think you'd be able to give the job a good go. We have critical care as a major in our program and plenty of students who do this major head straight into critical care.

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Thanks for all of the advice, support, and kind words. I do like challenges. I think that I will give it a shot. Hopefully, I will impress the unit manger during the interview when the time comes. Otherwise, I'm leaning toward unit support rather than the med/sug dept. Thanks again, Mike.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I'm graduating this coming Friday, and have completed 130 of the required 160 clinical hour preceptorship in a level 3 NICU. Like you, it has been intimated that a job awaits my passing the NCLEX. I can't wait. The hours spent in the NICU this month have been a great learning experience and have cemented my desire to work there.

In other words: Go for it, dude. I am.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

Go for it. However just remember if you get floated to the floor let your charge nurse know your experience level. I recently got floated an ICU nurse, she managed a six patient team and asked a lot of questions. I found out at 4am she hadn't done vitals on her Q2hour epidural and the next day found out she was fresh out of the new grad program.

I don't mind, however I would have changed some things in my charge process that night to accomodate.

Sorry I know it probably won't come up anytime soon for you, but it was on my mind.

Best of luck!

Tait

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