Graduating Nursing School In May....

Specialties NICU

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I'm still unsure of where I want to go. I am doing my internship in adult ICU. I had a friend tel me it was better to work an adult ICU for a while before going into a NICU. Sometimes I agree, but then I realize how strongly I feel about babies in general. We were discussing presidential candidates the other day, and their beliefs. Many of them were against the BAN on partial birth abortion. Sometimes NICU babies are the same age as the babies that are aborted. I just that NICU babies are miracles. They are the big miracles. I just don't know if it would be better to do an adult ICU first? If I do, I'm scared I'll never go anywhere else.....

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Adult ICU uses some of the same equipment and drugs, but that's about it. Better to go straight to a NICU that offers a good new grad orientation.

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Specializes in NICU.

I agree with Steve. The worlds are very different too, so go for NICU.

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Specializes in NICU, CVICU.

As a nurse who has worked in both NICU and adult ICU, I would strongly urge you to start out in NICU if you believe that is where you want to end up.

They are two completely different worlds. You will have to UNLEARN lots of stuff from the adult world that either doesn't apply to babies, or dosages/treatments are different for babies.

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Thanks. I just keep going back to NICU, and I think it is where I'm supposed to be. The great thing about nursing is that if it doesn't work out I have a LOT of other options. I'm glad for your input though, and I think I've found a hospital with a pretty good orientation program into the NICU. I go for an interview in March!:yeah:

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