DO you have perinatal techs in your nursery...

Specialties NICU

Published

would you advise a nursing student to try to find employment as one? I let my NA cert expire, but I can do a refresher course w/in the month in 2 weeks, and I've seen a few postings for these at a nearby hospital. Is this something that would help for later NICU work? I think I read in earlier posts that 'Special Care Nursery' the same as level 2, Is this true? Thanks!!

Longtime lurker and soon to be full time RN student :)

Just stating my hospital's policy, doesn't mean I agree with it.

hi BabyNurse513--I realize that, and I apologize if I seemed to imply that--I really didn't mean to. Just wanted to let you know. It's a policy that I definitely don't agree with. I've thought about going back to scholl for my bachelor's degree--but the .80 more an hour that I would make doesn't justify me spending the money to go, and it wouldn't teach what experience has taught me. However--I give alot of credit to all of those who do have their 4 year degrees--it's alot of extra hard work. When I went to school, I was a single mom with two babies, and the thought at that time of two extra years in school was more than I could do at the time, and now, as I said--the end doesn't justify the means. I'm just grateful that their are hospitals who value their AD nurses, so that I can continue to do what I love. If my hospital were to now initiate a policy that we all had to have BSN's, then I would go back to school in order to stay in the job I love. I couldn't imagine doing any other kind of nursing. Just wanted you to know that I didn't mean any thing towards you for stating your hospital's policy... :)

Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

The NICU I used to work in sometimes let techs/aides float to our unit when we were realllly busy and understaffed---but only for feedings---and only on VERY stable babies. They wanted our NICU to go "all RN" (as they all do!) but they could NEVER hire or retain enough of them -especially on nights! So, LVN's like myself were cross-trained and I LOVED it! :)

Cindy- I know this is late, but I am just reading this now. You work at Children's in St. Paul, don't you? I have been applying to your NICU for months now, and they keep telling me they can't hire me because I don't have a BSN, even though I have a BS in Biology and an ADN.

Heidi (now an RN!)

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