Adult ICU to NICU

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My husband has been a critical care nurse since he graduated 2.5 years ago. He initially wanted to get into the ICU so that he could apply to CRNA school. As is often the case, plans and people change. He finds himself becoming more and more disenchanted with his position. He said the only real interest he's ever had was in the NICU, but because it wasn't adult critical care, it wouldn't be accepted at most CRNA programs.

He really wants to work in the NICU. He has ACLS and I know he'd need PALS, but what else would make him a good candidate for this position?

Is it a hard transition from ICU to NICU?

Are most hospitals receptive to ICU nurses becoming NICU nurses, specifically, is it reasonable to expect that because he has 2.5 years in adult critical care that he would get a job in the NICU?

Or is it the case that unless you began your career in the NICU or Peds, your chances are less?

Any feedback would really be appreciated!

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Specializes in NICU.

I don't have experience with going from adult ICU to NICU, as I started in the NICU .... so I can't give any personal experiences on how that is.

However, I don't see why he couldn't get into the NICU, especially because it sounds like that's where his true desire is. So I say go for it! I know in our NICU they would probably give him a full 12 week orientation. I've seen other nurses come from adult areas and they get the full 12 weeks. Having ICU experience would definitely help, as he's used to the ICU pace and how intense it can be at times .... but babies are completely different than adults and the diagnoses that we see aren't something you deal with in adults.

I don't know how other NICUs are, but our NICU would definitely be receptive to hiring someone with 2.5 years ICU experience into the NICU. So if I were him I'd contact HR and get more information into getting transferred.

Where I work, the NICU nurses aren't required to have PALS, but we're required to have NRP. So that'd be something to look into.

I wish him luck and please let us know what he decides!

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Thanks so much for your reply and for the information you were able to give. I will certainly give an update when we know more. His current travel assignment ends in early December, so it will be a little while before we know what his next step will be.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

I just wanted to chime in and agree - NICU needs NRP, not PALS :)

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It is difficult (but rewarding) to switch.

Remember that almost all of nsg school is adult nsg, and that he's spent his career to date in adult nsg. Babies are a whole 'nother species. It's difficult to "re-set" your brain to learn what's normal for babies, so you can look @ a baby and "know" something's off. For all intents and purposes, he'll be an [almost] new grad again.

Make sure the unit he's going to will give him a thorough orientation, including some classroom time. And don't be impatient w/himself--it really is very different place. His current skills will still be valuable, he'll just be adding more skills and knowledge.

I transferred from adult ICU to NICU--it was hard for the 1st 6 months (I didn't get much of an orientation, and no didactic for a long time--there weren't even any NICU nsg texts in the "good old days"), but I really found my niche. Wouldn't ever go back.

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Specializes in NICU.

Our NICU is happy to get a nurse with adult experience. The main thing is him wanting to be there. We have recently hired 3 nurses in our unit all from critical care adult areas.

We get a value added on our annual evaluations for PALS or ACLS, though it's certainly not required. We do float to PICU some, so I keep up my PALS.

One of our nurses who had come to us straight out of nursing school was accepted into a CRNA program with no problem. Her only nursing experience had been NICU. So if that idea resurfaced for your husband, I don't think it is unreasonable to entertain it again.

My love is NICU...in a NNP program currently after spending 5+ years as a staff nurse.

Good luck,

Travelingkind

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It is difficult (but rewarding) to switch.

Remember that almost all of nsg school is adult nsg, and that he's spent his career to date in adult nsg. Babies are a whole 'nother species. It's difficult to "re-set" your brain to learn what's normal for babies, so you can look @ a baby and "know" something's off. For all intents and purposes, he'll be an [almost] new grad again.

Make sure the unit he's going to will give him a thorough orientation, including some classroom time. And don't be impatient w/himself--it really is very different place. His current skills will still be valuable, he'll just be adding more skills and knowledge.

I transferred from adult ICU to NICU--it was hard for the 1st 6 months (I didn't get much of an orientation, and no didactic for a long time--there weren't even any NICU nsg texts in the "good old days"), but I really found my niche. Wouldn't ever go back.

Your points are definitely well taken. He realizes that NICU is very different than adult ICU, and is willing to do whatever it takes to learn how to do a new job. He's lucky in that he is innately brilliant. Went through nursing school (his second degree) without really cracking a text book. He has an IQ of 160 and is a very fast learner with great instincts. I'm pretty sharp myself, but compared to him I'm almost retarded. LOL. Even still, I am sure it will be challenging on some level for him.

Thank you for the valuable information. It's good to have a heads up about ensuring that he chooses a hospital that is willing to offer an extended orientation and some class work. I'm sure that is what he wants too.

As far as CRNA school goes, it's one of those things that he hasn't ruled out, but luckily he has the prerequisite experience in an adult ICU. I'm in nursing school and he'd have to wait until I graduate before he was able to do a CRNA program so we could pay the rent, hehe.

Again, thank you so much for your reply!

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Specializes in acute care.

I'm sorry, what is NRP? I've never heard of this. TIA!

I just wanted to chime in and agree - NICU needs NRP, not PALS :)
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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program: http://www.aap.org/nrp/nrpmain.html

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Specializes in women's health, NICU.

One of our nurses who had come to us straight out of nursing school was accepted into a CRNA program with no problem. Her only nursing experience had been NICU. So if that idea resurfaced for your husband, I don't think it is unreasonable to entertain it again.

My love is NICU...in a NNP program currently after spending 5+ years as a staff nurse.

...I had posted a question like this earlier, so one could get into a CRNA program with NICU experience?

Also, i too am looking to get into an NNP program some time in the near future. how do u like it? are u able to work and go to school? I'm just trying to gain some insight on the whole NNP thing!!

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Specializes in NICU.
...I had posted a question like this earlier, so one could get into a CRNA program with NICU experience?

Also, i too am looking to get into an NNP program some time in the near future. how do u like it? are u able to work and go to school? I'm just trying to gain some insight on the whole NNP thing!!

There are 2 or 3 nurses on my unit right now that are working, in addition to going back fto school for NNP/PNP. One of them only works part time - 2 days a week or so, mostly on the weekends. The other person is on our weekend night program - works every fri/sat night each week. (they get paid a rather large differential on this). This way she can do her classes / clinicals during the week without a problem.

I guess it just all depends on how flexible your unit is with you shifts, and what your class / clinical schedule ends up being...

Good luck!

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I have a co worker that had to jump through a lot of hoops toget into a CRNA program with just NICU experience

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